:: Elevated Hip-Hop ::

New group to watch for

2009-08-05T13:01:00.002-05:00

Random Axe is comprised of producer Black Milk, Detroit vet-MC, Guilty Simpson, and Sean Price from Boot Camp Click. Those interested should listen to Black Milk's "Tronic", one of the best MC/produced albums of the decade.

The Ecstatic

2009-06-04T23:05:00.003-05:00

If anyone gets a chance check out the new Mos Def album entitled The Estatic, it combines a variety of new beats with the same old school flow that Mos Def is known for. My favorite songon the album thus far is "Priority," however "History" reunites Blackstar and really gets my hopes up for a reunion. Check it out here's the link: http://www.zshare.net/download/6089636508243135/

Throwback jam of the day

2009-05-12T19:31:00.002-05:00

Recently, I've been listening to a lot of classic hip hop; thought I should post a hot jam.

SONG REVIEW: Eminem - "3 A.M."

2009-04-23T18:04:00.004-05:00

It's not 3 A.M. nor am I Eminem, but I'm really diggin' this track. He sways away from his fucked up Arabic voice (kind of), and his lyrical content is much deeper than the shots taken at Sarah Palin and Lindsay Lohan that we found in the utterly pathetic, half-hearted track 'We Made You.' Although comical, 3 A.M. is clearly an address of his now-public drug problems as well as a big FUCK YOU to all who say Mathers is now incapable of creating a catchy song that doesn't scream "SELL OUT!!" I would love some feedback on this because I've only listened to this track like 4 times, but from what I can tell, Eminem is back and 3 A.M. is clear-cut evidence of that. Regardless of what you think of 36 year-old white rappers, if you're a rap fan you should take a listen because 2009 hip-hop will belong to Marshall before 3 A.M. on Relapse's release date, May 19th.

SONG REVIEW: Lil' Wayne - "Yeahhh"

2009-04-16T15:55:00.006-05:00

By Killian Gould

"Yeahhh," is a newer Wayne song that has yet to make a mixtape. It features a rock beat much like many of Wayne's new songs, but rather than his auto-tuned whine "Yeahh," features three of Wayne's best verses this year. "Yeahh," should be a welcome relief for those fans of Wayne who are less than enthusiastic about Tha Carter III, Rebirth set to hit stores June 9th.

Asleep in the Bread Aisle -- One of the top 5 albums to change hip-hop?

2009-04-15T01:03:00.003-05:00

By Tom Carbone

Steve Rifkind, the music executive that launched the careers of Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, Big Pun and Three 6 Mafia, announced today that he believes Asher Roth's latest album, Asleep in the Bread Aisle is in the Top 5 albums that changed hip-hop. Sure, I enjoy a few of Asher's songs - more importantly, his freestyles - but top 5 albums to change hip-hop? I feel like I'm sort of obligated to take Rifkind's input to heart since his efforts introduced me to some of my favorite rappers of all time, but this seems like quite the statement. Regardless, Asher's new CD sure is generating a lot of buzz. I guess we'll all see what all the hype is about on 4/20 when Asleep finally drops in its entirety.

Steve Rifkind says Asher Roth Album TOP 5 EVER from Kush Robinson on Vimeo.

FREESTYLE REVIEW: Kid Cudi - "OnDaSpot Freestyle"

2009-04-15T00:53:00.004-05:00

By Tom Carbone

Kid Cudi is back at it again with his latest freestyle, and boy does he tear it up. And he even references his brand new Air Yeezy's (I don't think they've even hit the shelves yet!) Chalk this one up as another astonishing feat for Kid Cudi this year. Everyone's saying it, but it's true -- Cudi is the man, and 2009 is his year.

SONG REVIEW: The Roots "The Web"

2009-04-14T21:04:00.005-05:00

By Killian Gould

This is another old gem I decided to post, "The Web," off of The Roots 2004 album The Tipping Point, provides some of the best lyrical content to be found. "The Web," attacks the listener as if it is a freestyle, emphasizing The Roots multi-dimensional talents. It's definitely one of my personal favorites that always seems to go under the radar, so if you've never heard it check it out I think you'll enjoy.

SONG REVIEW: Cassie ft. N.O.R.E. & Diddy - "Must Be Love" [RMX]

2009-04-13T19:23:00.004-05:00

By Tom Carbone

Cassie's hair isn't the only part of her that got a recent makeover in the last few days (peep the picture to the left). N.O.R.E. and Diddy put out a remix for "Must Be Love" today. N.O.R.E. talks about gettin' drunk, twitter, and Cassie's new haircut, but Diddy really rips it up here. Check out this new track. Thoughts on Cassie's new haircut?

SONG REVIEW: KiD CuDi feat Kanye West & Common, "Poke Her Face"

2009-04-13T17:28:00.007-05:00

By Killian Gould

KiD CuDi recently released a remixed version of "Poker Face," by Lady Gaga, his version, creatively entitled, "Poke Her Face," features mentors Kanye West and Common. All three verses exemplify the three emcees at their finest. Kanye and Common attack pop culture with lines like, "She blamed it on the a-a-alcohol she had her hair did it was bound to fall," and Kanye's, "I got seniority with the sororities, so that explain why I love college, gettin' brain in the library cause I love knowledge when you use your medula-oblongata." Don't underestimate KiD CuDi's verse either. "Poke Her Face," embodies a great Kanye produced remix of a horribly catchy song by one-hit wonder Lady Gaga.

SONG REVIEW: Fallout Boy Feat. Lil' Wayne, "America's Suitehearts"

2009-04-13T17:16:00.006-05:00

By Killian Gould

The newest addition to the wonderful Wayne-Fall Out Boy duo has just been released, entitled, "America's Suitehearts Remix."Personally, I enjoy Wayne's auto-tuned voice in, "Tiffany Blews," but unfortunately you must sit through almost two and a half minutes of Fall Out Boy until you are blessed enough to hear Wayne's rasping for thirty seconds. "America's Suitehearts," features another, less than memorable Fall Out Boy chorus and two auto-tuned verses from Wayne which are average at best. I fully support Wayne's Kanyesque switch from Rap, to auto-tuned rock and r&b, however I am really hoping that his current obsession with Fall Out Boy dies quickly because this is not helping his cause.

FREESTYLE REVIEW: The Game - "Red Rockin'" (Bishop Lamont diss)[FULL]

2009-04-13T11:26:00.003-05:00

By Tom Carbone

A few days ago I posted a snippet of a freestyle that was released by the Game, dissing Bishop Lamont and dropping a few more names. Now, with the full version on our hands, it's pretty clear that The Game is pissed off. Here's a little more auto-tune freestylin' for you if that last one wasn't enough.

SONG REVIEW: Asher Roth - "As I Em" ft. Chester French

2009-04-10T20:43:00.004-05:00

By Tom Carbone

Yesterday, the 1st verse of Asher's latest song leaked onto the internet and today RapRadar exclusively released the rest. "As I Em," an homage (of sorts) to Eminem, is a pretty smart move for Asher. All his haters lately have been saying he rips off Eminem too much and that he isn't unique, and Asher sort of accepts that here. He concedes that he was heavily influenced by Em, but assures listeners he's a whole new breed of Caucasian rapper. Asher Roth's first full-length is due 4/20 and is entitled Asleep in the Bread Aisle.

ALBUM REVIEW: B.o.B. - Who the Fuck is B.o.B.? [2009]

2009-04-10T16:21:00.014-05:00

By Killian Gould

Prior to reading this post you may be asking yourself, "Who the Fuck is B.o.B.?" but I can assure you that after listening to his mixtape, conveniently named, Who the Fuck is B.o.B.? the questions will cease. B.o.B. also known by Bobby Ray Simmons is an up and coming hipster rapper from Atlanta. He recently signed with Grand Hustle Entertainment, owned by critically acclaimed rapper T.I. His first mixtape since the signing entertains the listener through B.o.B.'s constant challenges of today's famous rappers.

These challenges are seen immediately in the upbeat song, "I'm Dat Nigga," featuring a verse from T.I. and a verse from B.o.B. in which B.o.B. immediately disses his boss T.I. and implements his own swagger right from the beginning. The album combines a southern swagger similar to T.I. and Ludacris with the new hipster rapper intelligence of KiD CuDi and Wale. His songs on the mixtape take you on a journey through east-side Atlanta ("Generation Lost,""Eastside Tales," and "Atlanta Ga."). B.o.B. also features sampled songs from some of his influences, samples include; The Beatles with, "Lonely People," one of my personal favorites, as well as, "Use Ur Love," from The Police. His single "I'll be in the Sky," is already becoming radio famous in Georgia and some of the other southern states. drawing anticipation from fans for his debut album The Adventures of B.o.B. scheduled to debut this summer.

B.o.B. encompasses the excitement of the up and coming rappers and the new-school genre of rap that has been in the making since Kanye West and Lupe Fiasco hit the scene in 2005. B.o.B. says his influences include rock, rap, techno, 80's pop and funk, so expect many for tracks like these on his debut album. Look for B.o.B. and his counterparts: Wale, KiD CuDi, Charles Hamilton, and Drake to explode onto the scene with a bang late this summer with their debut albums. Until then, get your fix with the mixtape scene, and Who the Fuck is B.o.B.?

Download: B.o.B - Who the Fuck is B.o.B? [Mixtape]

B.o.B - "Use Ur Love"

SONG REVIEW: Method Man ft. D'angelo - "Break Ups 2 Make Ups"

2009-04-10T15:18:00.012-05:00

By Tom Carbone

Legendary Wu-Tang member Method Man and r&b favorite D'Angelo put out this little tune back in 2000 and I'm really digging it. Method Man certainly isn't my favorite member of the Wu, but I'll take what I can get. Method Man's distinct style is complimented nicely by a guitar and D'Angelo's voice on the hook.

SONG REVIEW: Kanye West "Arguments"

2009-04-10T15:13:00.005-05:00

By Killian Gould

Kanye West's unreleased album Freshman Adjustment features a wide variety of relatively unknown and unheard songs, one of my personal favorites being; "Arguments." This song features a College Dropout-style beat with three great verses courtesy of the hipster rapper. The lyrics and rhymes are unlike anything Kanye has done recently so I thought that I should post it, even though it is rather old. Listen closely to the lyrics as Kanye takes you on a trip through his relationships with women.

SONG REVIEW: The Roots "Seed 2.0"

2009-04-10T12:14:00.011-05:00

By Killian Gould

Another classic that I recently became obsessed with so I had to post it. "The Seed 2.0," off of The Roots third-album Phrenology, released in 2002, integrates the groups usual rock/rap with a catchy chorus and a real story behind their music (Not that this is a rarity for them). "The Seed 2.0," takes you on a journey into and through the birth of the group's hypothetical daughter and future rock star. I promise instant addiction.

SONG REVIEW: People Under the Stairs - "Acid Raindrops"

2009-04-10T03:47:00.009-05:00

By Tom Carbone

Another contributor to this blog, Jon Ingram, introduced me to this duo from LA and I can't believe I hadn't heard them before. This is one of those groups you feel like you've known forever, but in reality, it seems, they remain relatively unknown among hip-hop heads. "Acid Raindrops," my favorite track off of their album O.S.T. is a shining example of PUTS' influential and timeless lyrics and production. If you haven't heard this song, which you haven't, check it out immediately.

SONG REVIEW: Q-Tip feat. Kanye West & Consequence "We Fight We Love" (Remix)

2009-04-09T23:56:00.013-05:00

By Killian Gould

About 3 weeks old sorry, but the website is new so I'm posting this anyway. We Fight We Love Remix, it's a remix of the song from the Q-Tip's most recent album The Renaissance. The remix gives a more upbeat pace with the obvious upgrade of a great Kanye opening verse, and a naturally underrated verse from Consequence. Also to top the song off the beat is much more upbeat taking the song from an album filler to a potential club banger. (Maybe an over-exaggeration but it's good) .

Check it out:

FREESTYLE REVIEW: Kid Cudi & Asher Roth - "DJ ENUFF LIVE ON ALISTRADIO.NET"

2009-04-09T23:46:00.005-05:00

By Tom Carbone

Wow, I didn't know Asher Roth OR Kid Cudi could spit off the dome like this. Personally, this video makes me respect these two up and coming emcees a lot more. Sometimes you can't tell what's a freestyle and what's written, but in my opinion, Asher and Cudi are both spitting right off the top, and that's saying a lot for this particular session. Nobody stutters, and I have a sneaking suspicion they enjoyed smoking a special green substance minutes before the video was shot. I'm looking forward to future collaborations between the two.

FREESTYLE REVIEW: The Game - "Blood Respect" (Bishop Lamont diss)

2009-04-09T20:45:00.005-05:00

By Tom Carbone

Another punch has been thrown in the (irrelevant) feud between rapper Bishop Lamont and The Game. Rumors say that this feud started with The Game's somewhat-classic "100 Bars,"a few years ago and this snippet is sort of in the same vain. The Game also mentions our favorite sizzurp addict Lil' Wayne in the track. Oh yeah, and the whole thing is in auto-tune. Hey, Mr. Game, never use auto-tune again, it sounds awful.

SONG REVIEW: Eminem - "Rock Bottom"

2009-04-09T17:58:00.009-05:00

By Tom Carbone

Yeah, I know. The Slim Shady LP came out 10 years ago. But screw it, I'm still obsessed. "Rock Bottom," I've recently decided, is my favorite song on the album. Classic Dre production and an angry Marshall are all components to a classic Em track, but "Rock Bottom" was produced by the Bass Brothers for FBT Productions. Regardless, this song is absolutely rock solid and deserves many listens. My favorite line is actually the beginning line of the song: "I feel like I'm walking a tight rope/without a circus net/I'm popping percocets/I'm a nervous wreck." Listen to it below!

SONG REVIEW: Lil' Wayne - "Prom Queen" (Russ Castella Remix)

2009-04-09T16:52:00.010-05:00

By Killian Gould

Lil' Wayne's punk rock flavored, "Prom Queen," recently received a makeover courtesy of pianist Russ Castella. The song features the same vocals, same lyrics, but a new, much cleaner sound with the addition of Castella on the piano. The addition of the piano takes the song from head-banging punk rock hit, to soulful r&b love song. Think Kanye's "Streetlights," on steroids. Check it out.

Download: Lil' Wayne - "Prom Queen" (Russ Castella Remix)

ALBUM REVIEW: Dj Signify - Of Cities

2009-04-09T16:48:00.003-05:00

By Tom Carbone

Today, the music industry isn't seeing many releases out of underground instrumental hip-hop. Good producers are typically collaborating with emcees so much they don't have enough time to produce and release their own solo album.

DJ Signify, a Brooklyn-based DJ and producer, specializes in a breed of glitchy instrumental hip-hop not seen anywhere else underground right now. His 2004 release, No More Sleep, featured prominent underground emcees like Buck 65 and Sage Francis, and this year's effort entitled Of Cities continues this pattern with more notable guests such as Aesop Rock and Matt Kelly. In these last five years, DJ Signify has really refined his sound and Of Cities is his best release to date.

The first sign that DJ Signify's gloomy sound hasn't left since 2004 is the very first track, appropriately titled "The Sickness." The song starts out with a heavily fuzzed-out bass and drum sample, and slowly progresses into a track more complex and industrial than expected. This first track really sets the tone for the rest of the record, as Of Cities continues this trend of a gloomy ambience throughout.

Vocals are first heard on the following track, "Low Tide," which features Definitive Jux legend Aesop Rock. Aesop's style of delivery and lyrical content compliment DJ Signify's production very nicely, and it feels and sounds like the two have been working together for years before this cut. Between Aesop's whistles and flawless flow, he asks the listener, "How low is your lowest low tide?" As mentioned earlier, Aesop's almost brash delivery feels right at home with Signify's fuzzy lo-fi production.

Clearly evident in these first two gritty tracks, this record is essential listening for a lonely, winter drive in the middle of the night. Between the spooky beats and the even spookier lyrical delivery by the guests on the record, Of Cities definitely has a place and time to be listened to. While newcomers to DJ Signify might not be immediately drawn in, a few spins of the record may change their mind. Of Cities is definitely one of those albums that is a grower and should not be dismissed right away.

Between the full tracks on the album comes a handful of "Interludes" that split the album up quite nicely. Most of them combine some static noise and sampled drum beats, but these minute-long clips let Of Cities flow in a much smoother way. These interludes are similar to skits, commonplace on modern-day rap albums.

While this release will most certainly not garner much widespread attention, it is definitely an important release in the instrumental hip-hop scene. DJ Signify has revolutionized the way producers combine their hip-hop influences with industrial and new wave elements with Of Cities. This year probably will not see very many releases in this genre, which bodes well for DJ Signify. Of Cities takes a very unique approach to production that will make it unforgettable for hip-hop heads and fans of instrumental soundscapes alike.

ALBUM REVIEW: Dälek - Gutter Tactics

2009-04-09T16:43:00.003-05:00

By Tom Carbone

Plenty of people are disheartened by the state of the hip-hop scene.

There are those who think mainstream rappers have watered down the roots of true rap and hip-hop and lyrics and production come as an afterthought to what makes the most money. This year will see the release of some of mainstream rap's most anticipated records, namely Eminem, 50 Cent and Lil' Wayne. But MC Dälek (pronounced Die-Uh-Leck) and producer Okt0pus will also be releasing an experimental hip-hop album that is best described as a hip-hop-laced mix between My Bloody Valentine and Public Enemy.

Although many emcees are influenced by money and fame, Dälek and the Okt0pus, a duo residing in Newark, N.J., have added quite a political theme to their latest effort, Gutter Tactics. The first track, "Blessed Are They Who Bash Your Children's Heads Against A Rock," samples the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's speech made after Sept. 11, a sample that certainly sets the tone for the rest of the record.

Most of the songs on Gutter Tactics have a murky and somber tone to them, something for which the two are most definitely known. The second track on the album, "No Question," contains Okt0pus' trademark industrial, noisy beat along with Dälek emotional and dark lyrics. Dälek makes the claim in this track that "a black president don't ensure sunshine," a sentiment many Americans probably agree with.

The politics don't end there. "Los Macheteros/Spear of a Nation" tells the story of Nelson Mandela in South Africa between a simple beat infused with shotgun blasts. The beat is muddy, the vocals are distorted and the song puts off a signature vibe that Dälek fans are used to by now.

"We Lost Sight," a typical track about the state of hip-hop today, is actually a refreshing take on this not-so-refreshing topic. This song probably puts the least distortion on Dälek's vocals, something the duo doesn't practice very often. The harmony and chorus is a lot warmer on this track, and listeners shouldn't feel dark and sad after hearing it. The title track will definitely appeal to both hip-hop and metal-heads alike. Between the crunchy guitar riffs and Okt0pus' traditional hip-hop scratching, almost everyone will find something they like about this song.

With swirling guitars, driving bass-beats and a seemingly endless slew of topics, Dälek and Okt0pus have put out a record that will rival any major hip-hop release in 2009. Although we do not see many conventional hip-hop elements and influences with Gutter Tactics, the influences we do see are outstanding and unpredictable. Dälek has created a new fusion of sound, resulting in this release going down as one of the most interesting of the year.

ALBUM REVIEW: Drake - So Far Gone

2009-04-09T16:29:00.002-05:00

By Jon Ingram

Young Money Entertainment, Lil Wayne's record label, doesn't seem to be satisfied with just one multi-platinum artist. Since the evolution of Wayne into an international superstar, the label has been pushing the growth of several other rappers signed to the label in hopes that they will achieve their own level of success. Their development has been predominantly showcased on the plethora of tracks and mix tapes released by Lil Wayne, where they have had the opportunity to rap alongside one of music's biggest star. But recently, the self-proclaimed 'Martian' seems to be focusing his attention on Canadian-born Drake, a Young Money-signee who has just released the most phenomenal mix tape of the past year.

Listeners may recognize Drake as the character Jimmy Brooks on television program Degrassi, but soon he will be known as much more than a supporting character on a teen drama. His third Young Money debut mix tape, So Far Gone, has just dropped, and quite frankly, it's worth way more than a listen.

It's hard to know where to begin when speaking about this mix tape. Perhaps it is because less than half of So Far Gone is actually rap (the rest combines a silky smooth combination of R&B and Pop beats with soothing vocals from the likes of Trey Songz and Peter Bjorn & John), or perhaps it is because it is hard to believe a mix tape of this quality was not released as an actual album. What Drake and the producers of So Far Gone have done, perhaps unintentionally, but probably not, was create an almost entirely different genre of music.

A perfect example to showcase the difference in style between Drake and the rest of the hip-hop world is the song entitled "Successful," which features Lil Wayne and Trey Songz. The eerie, piercing beat combines the constant droning of an organ and the death-like chant of a medieval choir to make a truly epic creation. The slow mood of this track allows Drake to recite three poetic-sounding verses about his yearn for eventual success in life and also paves the way for a surprise ending verse by Weezy himself, who, as always, fails to disappoint with his effortless flow and his unmistakable croak.

Although there is no sound like Drake in the entire rap game, it is fairly easy to tell that So Far Gone was influenced by Young Money. The majority of rap in the South (where Young Money is headquartered) features the slow-moving and relaxed attitude that comes with the South's famous Sizzurp, a narcotic cocktail of Promethazine/Codeine cough syrup and soda that Lil Wayne is never without. This mixtape definitely has that definite mellow feel to it, and although Drake is from Canada, it is easy to distinguish this sound as Southern hip-hop.

While there is never a guarantee about "the next star" in music, Drake definitely has the makings to hit mainstream. His sound is undeniably unique, his lyrics are ridiculously clever, and, perhaps above all else, he is teamed-up with the one and only Lil Wayne, which guarantees a certain level of exposure in itself. For a mix tape, So Far Gone is pure genius, and if it is any indication of his upcoming album, in due time, he will be one of the biggest stars in rap. It's common for music reviewers to recommend an album that they review, but So Far Gone has the potential to be the beginning chapter to the story of a true rap legend.

Introduction

2009-04-09T15:08:00.003-05:00

Yo. Tom Carbone, Killian Gould and Jon Ingram will write album reviews, song reviews and feature articles frequently. Check back every day for more exclusive material.