Remembering B.I.G.

Every once in a while comes an unforgettable person who comes into the world to fulfill a purpose. In the short time he was here with us on earth, The Notorious B.I.G managed to raise the bar for Hip-Hop music and those who've followed him have since been competing with his spirit. “The best who ever did it” as they say, he meant a lot of things to a lot of people. To me, Biggie was the guy I had no business listening to at thirteen years old because I had no clue what he meant until I started watching Gangster movies and Shows like South Central on TV [too many gun and paraphernalia references]. However, once I “got it” though, Biggie became one of the most lyrically clever artists of my time, another reason I’m so in love with hip-hop and one of the best story tellers I’ve heard to date. R.I.P, B.I.G.

Music Fly- Anticipation Proclamation, December Edition

December is shaping up to be a good month for Hip-Hop and R&B music as I anticipate the release of these new albums! Alicia Keys. [Sigh] It's so serious that her name was the only thing I needed to say in that last sentence. Her talent is unparallel and there's no other piano playing, song writing, hip swaying, singer in her class. I'm a huge fan, and judging from the three new singles I've heard from The Element of Freedom [my favorite being "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart"] I'll continue to be. I didn't doubt it; she had me at "I keep on falling". The Neptune affiliated rap Duo Clipse is back with “Until the Casket Drops” and while I can't say I’m their biggest supporter, I will say they're better than most artists out and I do like their style a lot. Sure they make a lot of paraphernalia references, but since they do it in the form of art, it’s all good. The multi-talented Chris Brown is making headlines with his third release Graffiti. His first album was a classic, the second one was just as great. I think the "I can transform you" single [and video] is one of the hottest out now and I am overtly in love with the song "Crawl". Glad to see Breezy's back, like he never left. What can I say about Robin Thicke? He's soulful, handsome, and has a great vocal range! I loved his second album Evolution so much I went on a mad hunt for the first one, you know, when he was sporting long tresses and a messenger bike? Yep. However, as of late, all the videos I've seen him in so far have me a little weary. I don't know man..."sex sells" but you're married to Paula Patton Mr., take it easy. I do suppose it makes sense though, considering the fact that the album is called Sex Therapy, right? We’ll see where this goes. The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul is here, Stronger than ever, you can’t deny the power of Mary J. Blige. She’s continuously been an artist that you can blindly trust with music. I know a bunch of people who feel like the music isn’t as good since she’s been drama free, but come on guys; you know we couldn’t handle TWO “Whitney Houston- like” situations, [insert screw-face here] so stop it.

December 4TH a Star is Born...

Happy Birthday to the Jigga-man! If you’ve been reading this or any other blog I'm featured on, you know I'm sort of a “Hov-aholic”. It's no secret to anyone who knows me personally or comes in contact with me that Jay-Z's my absolute favorite rapper. I have every album; been to a bunch of his concerts, quote him regularly and partake in countless debates about which one of his albums are the best and "who killed who" on what record with my fellow fans. To be quite frank the guy is amazing. He has great lyrics, metaphors, story telling abilities, incredible flow(s) and not to mention, swagger out the wazoo. From Reasonable Doubt to The Blueprint III to every mix tape, collaboration and beef record in between, it’s been awesome to watch and listen to him evolve. He's also an incredible business man, who's not only invested in his talents, but in the talents of others making him a heavy hitter in the corporate settings of music. He's gone from a kid with a lot of ambition to a massive media conglomerate and living proof that anything really is possible. He's not just a rapper; he's a motivating factor.

Fly Music- A Star is Born

Sometime in the Spring of this year, a friend and musical soul mate of mine were at a social event, when he turned to me and said: "Yo, J.Cole is the future" and gave me "the face". Unfamiliar with the name, I paused, looked at him, and it was then that I knew, I had to know what he knew. You know? So I went on MySpace Music and discovered that I might have been "napping" for awhile. From ‘The Come Up” to “The Warm up” I eagerly listened to these mix tapes filled with classic tracks sampled by Gil Scott-Heron, Nas and even records produced by the artist himself. I'm no mix tape expert and I can say that before this brief era I hadn't listened to any mix tapes since all of Lil Wayne's mysteriously appeared on my ipod playlist courtesy of my big brother. I do however genuinely enjoy the concept of rappers/ emcees rhyming over previously released songs adding their own sixteens to the music. J.Cole's lyrics are anything but typical. He's not afraid to discuss his personal life experiences in college in his relationships, and association with people. Because of his flow he also doesn't have the stigma of a "typical down south rapper" either; of course I like to credit his time in the concrete Jungle for that. After being signed to Roc Nation he started to generate a buzz amongst hip-hop fans and people quickly compared him to newcomer, Drake. To me they're completely different rappers, so get over it people, listen to the music. I also dig his humility thus far: I read in XXL magazine once that he refused an offer to “hob-nob” with Diddy at a party because he didn't feel like he was at the level where he should be doing that yet, and rather just focus on the music. In that same article, he also said that he's aware folks wouldn't be so intrigued if he wasn't signed to Jay-Z's label. It’s all about the music for me, so on behalf of hip-hop fans all over, thanks for bring us this warm breeze, "Fayettenam". J. Cole him self makes the darkness [of hip-hop] seem so bright, and I'm Feelin’ like things gon be alright.

Fly Music- Buzz Worthy Barbie

What do you get when you mix pink lipstick, an animated personality, edgy lyrics and a touch of raunchiness together? Nicki Minaj of course. After I decided to click on a link from one of my beloved social networking sites I finally got an understanding of who or what the "hype' was about. Ms. Minaj had been floating around in random conversations all over the internet on some of my favorites sites before then; and I hadn't stopped to pay attention at any point yet. But after I listened to about four tracks off the “Beam Me Up Scotty" mix tape, I was in. The now Young Money affiliated rapper hails from Jamaica, Queens, and was discovered on her MySpace page. We can thank Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art for setting her in motion, which is actually the same school the movie "Fame" was inspired by. How do you like that? So far she's been featured in Urban DVD magazine, The Come Up [not to be confused with the J.Cole mix tape that we'll get to soon enough ;-)] mix tapes with Little Wayne, a remix with T.I. and is also on Robin Thicke's new single, "Shakin It For Daddy". Seriously folks, that's the name of the song, promise. But in any case, my opinion is that her freestyle ability, risqué wardrobe and material girl attitude are all a force to be reckoned with. Up against a group of men during the freestyle segment on the BET Hip-Hop Awards she proved just that, here's an excerpt from that freestyle: Call me Dracula 'cause all I do is count tricks/ your money mini and I ain't talking 'bout the mouse trick/ these girls running like I just threw the bouquet/ they know I'm headed to the top like a toupee," Minaj spit. "Now all the bums is wondering where I bees at/ you ain't a Barbie, it's none of your freakin' beeswax!" - cute & clever... Nice!

Sweet Tee of the week

Whenever people around me have issues with each other whether light or heavy, the one phrase that pops in my head is "What's Beef?” And I just start rapping the song in my head. Ha-ha ...no kidding, I promise. It's one of my favorite songs by the late and great Notorious B.I.G, only because it makes a lot of sense. So this week, I dedicate the sweet tee to the Jay-Z and Beanie Siegel "Beef", just hug it out guys, it's not like anyone's going to “see anyone in ICU" for this, ok? Ok. Refer to the previous post if you don’t know what I’m talking about.

This tee is available at: http://www.districtlines.com/10107-Biggie-T-Shirt/Serra-Velle/T-Shirts  and is being sold for $12.00

Jay-Z this, Jay-Z that...

A skinny bald headed kid from Brooklyn once said “If every nigga in your click is rich, your click is rugged nobody would fall cus everyone would be each others crutches” perhaps this was the mindset he had when creating Rocafella records along with two friends in ’96. They’ve since split and aside from a few bars here and there on record; the actual cause of the demise has not been confirmed by any of the parties involved. So here's the thing: Beanie Sigel, who was once part of the extended Roca la familia has released a Jay-Z diss record, entitled Average Cats. He also had a very emotional call-in interview heard around the world explaining his feelings. I can specify everything he said this entire post, but between the track and the 38 minute interview, I think you have enough to reference.

After I finally sat down and listened to everything, I was truly at a loss for words. I thought, wow, this sounds bad. Considering how close those two were and how loyal Beanie’s been to Jay over the years, this puts him in a horrible position, bad enough everyone is running with this “evil doer” thing. So, damn, am I supposed start giving Jay-Z the side eye for not looking out for his boy, now like everyone else? On record, he nicely told grown men they “couldn’t sit on his lap”, but as it turns out, Beanie said he’s “not looking for gifts out Santa Clause’s sack”. Ok…So what we talking bout?

In Jay-Z’s statement he recognized that Beanie has “a lot to complain about” But to me it seems he may have merely miss-managed his assets at one point in time. Hov jokingly said “It’s impossible to drive two cars at once…how can you only sell 800, 000 records and Drive two Bentleys?” But Beans is saying that Jay didn’t teach him how to fish, he only fed him. Ok, who’s to blame for that? If you go into Business with someone because you claim “they got you no matter what” the mindset really isn’t fully prepared for the possibility of that ending. Let’s be adults here, this isn’t a lemonade stand. In dealing with big businesses such as the record industry they’re contracts, deadlines, loans and countless other details involved. If someone has invested in you, can you really blame them for not making a return on the investment? I bet you can, if you still believe they’ll be your “crutch” no matter what. But shouldn’t you take ownership in your failures when they’ve set you up for success? Beans sounds hurt, and I felt really bad for him at first. I mean, Damon Dash went behind his back and [allegedly] embezzled and, Jay-Z was harsh, didn’t want to be responsible for his whereabouts and didn’t offer him any moral support while in jail. All things considered, what did Beanie Sigel do? How did he help himself on the State Property owner/ Rocafella rapper platform? What’s he responsible for? Well, he took on two [Bentley] car notes (something that depreciates with time) when he could’ve invested in his businesses and artistry. And why was he, at this point in his life in and out of jail so much anyway? He’s actually said to have paid out $200,000 worth of lawyer fees but spent only $750 for the LLC of State Property. Priorities out of order much? Boggles my mind. Repeating the same actions never gets anyone different results.

Quite frankly, Beanie Sigel says a lot of things that make me raise my eyebrow at Jay-Z, but if he hasn’t spoken to him in two years, this could be a major communication fail or misinterpretation of badly orchestrated business deals. Very shortly after his interview with Beanie Sigel the Radio VJ Charlemagne Tha God was let go from The Beat 100.3 in Philly, on grounds that the radio station is now looking to “move in a different direction.” Sigh. Yes people, I know what you’re thinking, He don’t run rap no more, he runs the map... But consider this: when you are as huge a star as he is, people will most likely just blame you for things because you’re an easy target. Further more, rumor has it Beanie may be moving toward the G Unit camp, way to market that new album fiddy! Guess it’s on to the next one. But first, I need to know how you feel. Speak your piece.



Link to interview: http://www.zshare.net/audio/676959526535015c/

Magazine Fly- Jeezy

Hiphop has grown up man...Jezzy looks great on the cover of the October/ November Issue of Complex Magazine. His fresh-to-deathness is doing it for me in this shot. He's owning his fly and I digg it.

Fly Music- Damn it, You Need This!!!

If you are going to purchase two things for your entertainment this September these two things should be it. I've never been more serious in my life. Okay, maybe I have,[lol] but the point is, you need this. Blueprint 3 is Jay-Z's 11th album. I don't know if I'll ever be able to say that I purchased that many album from one artist and have always at least liked every single one. I mean, let's just be serious, this man is the best rapper alive; challenge that statement if you dare. I don't know why everyone is so timid about saying that aloud, anyway. The album is excellent. The flow, content, production, guest apperances, all of it is crazy. And no, I'm not just saying that cus I'm [more than] a fan, I'm just saying you will not regret this $9.98 at Target. Also If you're a mass transit commuter like me, do your self another favor and pick up the XXL issue as well. Pick it up if you're not too, obviously... Ninety percent of the magazine is Hov. It features breakdowns of his Blueprint album(s) and a great photo shoot in honor of Rocawear's 10th anniversary, the shoot is styled by none other than hip-hop's & my favorite stylist June Ambrose. You're sure to enjoy the pictures shot like scenes from some of his videos, my favorite is the "Excuse me miss" depiction. WHO IS that male model?!!?! Damn. - well, ENJOY! Definitely share your opinions about the album too, I'd love to know what you think as always.

Kid Cudi

I wish I had the links to all that I've heard from this Kid so Icould share with you but I don't. (sad face) However, this video is pretty cool & I think Kid Cudi is the future. He gives me G.O.O.D Vibes -Just putting it out there, do with it what you must.

It is March 9th right???

Lupe's kicks

Last week the Lupe Fiasco x Converse All Star was released at St. Alfred in Chicago. Lupe Fiasco passed by to attend the release event and also signed some of the sneakers for his fans.Very Cool, I think I need these, what do you think?