Sorry Viceland Rap's been MIA. There actually hasn't been much to write about. Tis a sad year for hip hop so far. By now I'm assuming that you've heard Andre's hip-hop quotable on OutKast's "The Mighty O," realized that Mobb Deep's new album is crap, realized that Cam's Killa Season is actually good, and jammed DJ Drama and Lil Wayne's Dedication 2 mixtape. Are we all good here? And now for the staff pics of the week. Three joints to download and one we just felt like shitting on. Let's go. – Dave 1Rick Ross feat. Dre "Blow"
I was worried about bossman Ross for a minute. I mean, "Chevy Ridin' High" was a banger, but then everything else I heard was so-so. That joint with Daz? Not really good. That "Born N Raised" cut off Khaled's album? Kind of generic. And then there's the "Hustlin Remix". Who's got the best verse on there's been the debate of the summer so far. Jeezy murders it. But then Jay got some creepers too. "Linen shorts so my balls don't get hot"? I'm kind of feeling that, pause. That being said, how can Ross top his jump-off single? Well, he doesn't. This is supposed to be the radio friendly cupcake song, and although it ain't no "Hustlin'," it's still dope. Ricky's voice is grizzly over Cool & Dre's massive kick drums and keyboard madness, and the whole record got that feel good summer thing going on. Dre's singing on the chorus is kind of gay, but in a good way. Pause again.
BUSTA NUTKLC feat. Fiend & Calicoe "Play It Loud"
You don't know who KLC is and that's ok. Let me put you on. KL was the main producer for No Limit back when Master P was on top. I mean, the guy produced "I'm Bout It. " That was him. Have you heard "I'm Bout it" recently? That beat was fucking bananas. Good thing KLC's still got that keyboard handy. Cuz now that he's got a solo deal with Asylum, he used it on his first single. The rapping isn't all that, but you have to hear the track. Mark my words: This beat is the definition of gansgta rap. In-fucking-sane. This'll take you back to The Chronic era, and four bars into it you'll find yourself missing RBX.
SMUTTY RUFFSpeedy & The A'z "Bay Slang (Yadadadamean)"
Well, here's the genius cut of the week. It starts with simple garden variety hyphy drums, but then the chorus kicks in: "ya-da-da-da-mean" slowly slurred over and over again until you double over from laughter. It's only after that that you notice the evil keyboard chords and brilliant little percussion fills which make the whole thing complete. This is actually a really well produced record, and the kid flows nice too. Hands down the dopest Bay Area cut I've heard in a while. With The Federation's "Sunglasses/Stunna Glasses At Night" remake coming in very close second.
WHOADIE ALLENThe Roots "Don't Feel Right"
In a recent interview, ?uestlove said something to the effect of: "Jay really wanted us to get artistic with this record cuz he was like, 'You don't want to get a 2.8 on Pitchfork.'" Sorry, but this is what happens when rappers start worrying about web ratings instead of selling crack and killing people. You get atrocities like this first single. Nothing works on this cut. Nada. The title couldn't have been more appropriate.
MACHO
I was worried about bossman Ross for a minute. I mean, "Chevy Ridin' High" was a banger, but then everything else I heard was so-so. That joint with Daz? Not really good. That "Born N Raised" cut off Khaled's album? Kind of generic. And then there's the "Hustlin Remix". Who's got the best verse on there's been the debate of the summer so far. Jeezy murders it. But then Jay got some creepers too. "Linen shorts so my balls don't get hot"? I'm kind of feeling that, pause. That being said, how can Ross top his jump-off single? Well, he doesn't. This is supposed to be the radio friendly cupcake song, and although it ain't no "Hustlin'," it's still dope. Ricky's voice is grizzly over Cool & Dre's massive kick drums and keyboard madness, and the whole record got that feel good summer thing going on. Dre's singing on the chorus is kind of gay, but in a good way. Pause again.
BUSTA NUTKLC feat. Fiend & Calicoe "Play It Loud"
You don't know who KLC is and that's ok. Let me put you on. KL was the main producer for No Limit back when Master P was on top. I mean, the guy produced "I'm Bout It. " That was him. Have you heard "I'm Bout it" recently? That beat was fucking bananas. Good thing KLC's still got that keyboard handy. Cuz now that he's got a solo deal with Asylum, he used it on his first single. The rapping isn't all that, but you have to hear the track. Mark my words: This beat is the definition of gansgta rap. In-fucking-sane. This'll take you back to The Chronic era, and four bars into it you'll find yourself missing RBX.
SMUTTY RUFFSpeedy & The A'z "Bay Slang (Yadadadamean)"
Well, here's the genius cut of the week. It starts with simple garden variety hyphy drums, but then the chorus kicks in: "ya-da-da-da-mean" slowly slurred over and over again until you double over from laughter. It's only after that that you notice the evil keyboard chords and brilliant little percussion fills which make the whole thing complete. This is actually a really well produced record, and the kid flows nice too. Hands down the dopest Bay Area cut I've heard in a while. With The Federation's "Sunglasses/Stunna Glasses At Night" remake coming in very close second.
WHOADIE ALLENThe Roots "Don't Feel Right"
In a recent interview, ?uestlove said something to the effect of: "Jay really wanted us to get artistic with this record cuz he was like, 'You don't want to get a 2.8 on Pitchfork.'" Sorry, but this is what happens when rappers start worrying about web ratings instead of selling crack and killing people. You get atrocities like this first single. Nothing works on this cut. Nada. The title couldn't have been more appropriate.
MACHO