Back to the 80s

Another track has been leaked from 808s and Heartbreaks, and Kanye's not happy.

You can listen to 'Robocop' here

I've heard four tracks from the album so far, but I'm still not sure whether it's going to live up to the expectation that a Kanye West album now brings.One thing I haven't heard is any tracks from 50's new album. I found Curtis to be pretty disappointing. I'd be worried if I was 50. People have been stepping their rap game up. Kanye's been pushing the boundaries, Jay-Z has renewed vigour, Lil Wayne is in the form of his life, Game is coming out all heartfelt and emotional, Eminem is making a comeback, Ice Cube is back to gangsta rap... at this rate Dr Dre might even release Detox. But 50 kept doing the same old thing. It might still sell a few, but on the law of diminishing returns, he's going to lose sales if he doesn't do something to shake his performances up.

Lil Lil Wayne

Only in hip-hop?

"Lil Wayne announces son on the way, speculation on mother begins"

I just love that headline.

First impressions

The Passion of the Weiss has post on his impressions from the 808's and Heartbreak listening session. He's generally positive about it, reflecting on Kanye's new direction and how it will polarise his audience.

I think that if I'm going to listen to the album and not despise it I need to recategorise Kanye in my mind. He now lives in the same sort of zone as the Black Eyed Peas (although he's more extreme), hip hop tinged pop. Otherwise I'd judge it as hip hop and hate it.

Kanye West - Heartless

The singing and warbling continue with Kanye's newest single. How could he be so heartless?

Kanye West - Heartless

Eminem - I'm Having a Relapse

Of his new album Relapse. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. It might as well be an Eminem Show era song.

Eminem - I'm Having a Relapse

Busta Rhymes - World Go Round

Busta Rhymes - World Go Round

Swimming in the mainstream

I don't mind a bit of mainstream gangsta pop rap. And Game does a pretty good job making a gangsta rap track with a poppy sound. Not quite as successfully as 50 Cent (or, painfully, Ja Rule), but Game has delivered a few crossover hits.

A friend gave me his most recent album, LAX, after they reviewed it for the newspaper. I've enjoyed listening to most of the tracks, even if he features more artists than songs. But the criticism that has always been leveled at Game is still in play here. Namely, that he drops waaaaaay too many names.

Let's have a run through of "Money", a track with a surprisingly cheesy and catchy hook.

Names dropped:
Kanye West (rapper)(in the first line)
Kobe Bryant (NBA basketballer)(indirectly)
Frank Lucas (70s drug kingpin, inspiration for American Gangster)
Baby (from Cash Money Records)
Slim (from Cash Money Records)
Pablo Escobar (Colombian drug kingpin)
LeBron James (NBA basketballer)
Shaquille O'Neal (NBA basketballer)
Flava Flav (rapper/reality tv star)(indirectly)
Deelishis (Flavor of Love 2 winner)
50 Cent (Game's old boss)
Snoop (fellow West Coast rapper)
Freddy Kruger (fictional serial killer)
Jason Voorhees (fictional serial killer)
Jacob (diamond salesman)
Dwight Howard (NBA basketballer)
Louis Vuitton (designer)
Alpo (Puerto Rican drug lord)
Martha Stewart (homemaking queen)
Tony Parker (NBA basketballer)

That's just in one song. And he doesn't really slow down at all for the rest of the album.

If you're looking for a great example of what Nick was talking about with the progression of rappers towards singing rather than rapping, track five, My Life feat. Lil Wayne, says it all. Wayne is there to sing the hook - the self-proclaimed 'Greatest Rapper Alive' doesn't provide a verse.

Black Milk - ELEC Mixtape

In preparation for his upcoming album. There's some great stuff on this tape with Busta, Pharoahe Monch and others as guests but Black Milk's flow is not totally doing it for me.

Black Milk - ELEC Mixtape

Rap's Post-Lyrical Phase

Brandon Soderberg has made a series of posts in reflection on Rap's Post-Lyrical Phase (pt II, III, IV). It's really interesting to see him trace through how rap lyricism has developed and think about the trend exemplified by Kanye and Weezy. It helps connect golden era fans with Kanye, Weezy and co. or at least understand the difference. Get your rap geek on.

Spec Boogie and Elucid Freestyle

These guys are just dope. I love the contrast between their voices.



The song playing at the start is 'Lessondary Nose' by Elucid, Che Grand, Spec Boogie and Von Pea. It's totally worth the listen.

The Knux interview

Check out this interview of The Knux with Jeff Weiss. They've got passion, creativity and lots of opinions and I like that. I'm looking forward to their album which is out 28/10.

Dancing with the stars

I thought Arab Money was pretty ridiculous to start with but the dance just perfects it. Now you need to video yourself doing the dance and upload it onto youtube.

Common - Universal Mind Control

You've come a long way Common. Off Universal Mind Control, due out 25/11.

M.O.P. and Sesame Street

A great combination. Also check out the remix video with Busta.

Elucid - Police and Thieves

This is a compilation of a bunch of songs released over the last few months by Elucid plus a few new ones. The quality is a bit mixed but Elucid is definitely worth checking for.

5 Things Naughty by Nature Have Given Us

thesmokingsection have just posted an article on Naughty by Nature. Good timing.

It's a set up by the feds they scoping us with they infrareds

My first cease and desist letter! Sorry Q-Tip for promoting your album.

Black Milk - The Matrix (ft. Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price & DJ Premier)

Black Milk - The Matrix (ft. Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price & DJ Premier)

Q-Tip live at Knitting Factory

If nothing else, watch from about 6:40 and see what happens when Busta hits the stage.


You can see the video for the original song here.