Just Added This to My Collection

Good stuff.

YOU OUGHTTA KNOW: Video of the Day - Shinobi Ninja - "Brooklyn to Babylon"

So if you've been following me for a minute, then you may remember when I posted up that raw video of Shinobi Ninja rockin' out their SICK rendition of "This is How We Do It." Well, the band has been makin' moves since then, and they premiered their video for "Brooklyn to Babylon" (off of their Brooklyn to Babylon EP) earlier this month. Gotta love a track that'll make you move. Baby Girl is GETTIN' it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HOV!: VIBE.com Pays Homage to One of Hip-Hop's Best

THE REVIEW: Mr Hudson brings it Straight No Chaser

“And I feel like taking off / let me be your supernova,” Ben Hudson croons on the opening track over a sequence of synths and strings. “Supernova” effortlessly intertwines all that Straight No Chaser has to offer, flawlessly polishing electronica with a finishing gloss of alternative pop and modern hip-hop in order to take listeners on a time travel back to the glamour era of the 80’s. "My mission statement was to make a pop record, but not a throwaway pop record. My heroes are people like Bowie and Prince and Damon Albarn,” the ex Mr Hudson & The Library front man said in an interview. Songs like “Straight No Chaser” do an immense job blending the retro with an air of new fresh, while others are delivered with vocals that are eerily suggestive of Sting back in the days of The Police (“Learning to Live”). Surprisingly not letting mentor Kanye’s ego stand in the way, Mr Hudson successfully makes an eclectic progression, allowing him to cross over as a solo pop artist while still staying true to his roots.

Tracklist:

1. Supernova (Feat. Kanye West)
2. White Lies
3. Knew We WEre Trouble
4. Straight No Chaser
5. Learning to Live
6. Instant Messenger
7. There Will Be Tears
8. Stiff Upper Lip
9. Central Park
10. Anyone But Him (Feat. Kanye West)
11. Everything Is Broken (Feat. Kid Cudi)
12. Lift Your Head
13. Time

(See this review featured in January 2010's issue of Back\slash on select college campuses)

PAYUPPAYUPPAYUPPAYUPPAYUP!

Andre - Summer School Trailer Vol. 1 from Andre Clarke on Vimeo.

-Cue Ice Cube's "Today Was a Good Day"-

Because today is definitely going to be. November 20th, 2009 marks a special day for the cats over at PayUp. Not only does my girl Bang Boogie drop her Off Safety mixtape TODAY, but we officially have 7 days until André (Hayyyy, Andreeeé!) releases his well-awaited Summer School.

So in celebration of all the hype, I thought I would post up this making-of video of the track that is set to be the introduction of what promises to be an unforgettable project. Check out André in the lab doin' what he does best, and also be on the lookout for Bang Boogie's Off Safety. The download link, tracklist and review are all coming soon! You already know how I do.

THE REVIEW: Rihanna is Rated R

It has undoubtedly been a rollercoaster year for pop star Rihanna, but as her latest album attests, that in no way is slowing her down. Rated R is truly the diary of a good girl gone bad with Rihanna cursing her way through songs with such an unforeseen, brazen crudeness that you almost don’t know which hand she slapped you with. Humming out lyrics like “I lick the gun when I’m done ‘cause I know that revenge is sweet,” and “Got my middle finger up; I don’t really give a f**k,” it would easily appear as if Miss Fenty’s heart has gone colder than the brick of a New York winter. But Rated R also possesses an evocative sentiment that reveals Rihanna may not have many bitter feelings lurking within her heart after all. Delivered with well-plotted vengeance, swaggering arrogance, and earnest sincerity, Rated R not only showcases Rihanna’s vehemence in a way that nobody anticipated, but it also shares her side of the story with the integrity fans have all hoped for. This is what a comeback sounds like.

Tracklist:

1. Mad House
2. Wait Your Turn
3. Hard (Feat. Young Jeezy)
4. Stupid in Love
5. Rockstar 101 (Feat. Slash)
6. Russian Roulette
7. Fire Bomb
8. Rude Boy
9. Photographs (Feat. Will.I.Am)
10. G4L
11. Te Amo
12. Cold Case Love
13. The Last Song

(See this review featured in January 2010's issue of Back\slash on select college campuses)

FINALLY: "Empire State of Mind" Music Video Drops

I don't know what's cooler: The fact that the photography used in this video captures the city perfectly or the fact that I've been to about 50% of the locations that were photographed.

Boy, I can't wait to call this place my home.

And how gorgeous is Alicia? Gosh.

Peeved?

What keeps me from chewing people out when they deserve it most.

Try it out.

2009 VH1 Hip-Hop Honors Preview Feat. Eminem

We have four more days until the big sha-bang airs on VH1, and I definitely just got a really excited after stumbling upon this over at 2dopeboyz (I see you!). Eminem, The Roots and DJ Jazzy Jeff pay homage to LL Cool J with their rendition of "Rock the Bells." Eminem really did this the song some justice; I could not stop smiling.

Be sure not to miss the premiere on October 13th as VH1 honors the legacy of the pioneering Def Jam Recordings. The show airs at 9 pm ET/PT.

It's gonna be DOPE!

NEW MUSIC: Dam-Funk, Hollyweerd, Rozzie Dame & Grip Plyaz are Telling Y'all to "Cut It OUT!"

Bringin' it back with that old-school R&B vibe. I like.



Feelin' it? Download it here.