Kanye West Calls Swizz Beatz The Greatest Rap Producer Of All Time

Swizzy is definitely in my top 5.  I've always thought that his beats were under-appreciated.  But the GOAT?  Thats a really big statement, but if Kanye is hyping Swizzy up for this upcoming year then I can't wait to hear what he's got.

-C

New Good Music Signee: CyHi Da Prynce

Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music has just added another talent to it’s already strong roster: CyHi Da Prynce.

That journey’s other big highlight came in February 2009, when the Atlanta-bred MC was signed to Def Jam. 

CyHi Da Prynce plans to release an EP, The Royal Flush, in late August or early September. 

I've never heard of or listened to this guy, but I'm gonna check him out and see if he sounds G.O.O.D. to me. 

-C

Slim Thug: A Classic In The Works?

If you missed it, Slim Thug recently announced on his Twitter page that he was releasing a WHOLE BUNCH of unreleased tracks.  He said his label was mad that he was releasing them but its good to see an artist willing to give away free, quality music to the fans.  Collaborations and production credits include Rick Ross, T.I., Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Devin The Dude, Cee-Lo Green and more.  If you give away roughly 30 tracks of this calibur for free, then you HAVE to have some even better tracks for your album right...? We'll see.

New Video From Houston Rapper Fat Tony- "Like Hell Yeah"

Produced by June James.

Best Rap Album Of The Summer?

"Thank Me Later"- Drake
"Pilot Talk"- Curren$y
"Teflon Don"- Rick Ross
"Recovery"- Eminem
"Trill OG"- Bun B

Drake had the most popular album, Curren$y had the best beats, Rick Ross had the best features, Em sold the most records first week and Bun B is the first rapper to get a 5 Mic rating from The Source in 5 years.  All that said...who had the best album this summer?

A Mixtape You Should Hear...

Big K.R.I.T.- K.R.I.T. Wuz Here.

I first heard Big K.R.I.T. on Curren$y's album "Pilot Talk" ("Skybourne") this summer.  I immediately noticed his Southern drawl and it turns out K.R.I.T. is from Mississippi.  K.R.I.T. perfectly embodies what a Southern MC is, citing Pimp C as his favorite rapper of all time.  K.R.I.T.'s lyrical themes deal with struggles, progression, family and of course, getting high.  I'd like to hear more from this Mississippian, but for this mixtape to be my first exposure to dude I'm really impressed.  Devin The Dude, Curren$y and Wiz Khalifa make appearances on the mixtape as well. Check it out!

A Mixtape You Should Hear...

Smoke DZA- George Kush Da Button.

If you like Curren$y's album "Pilot Talk" then you will probably really enjoy this mixtape from this up and coming rapper from Harlem, NY.  Like "Pilot Talk", Ski Beatz produced majority of the mixtape.  Of course smoking and chillin' is the main theme of the mixtape, but Smoke DZA has a laid-back flow that mixes nicely with Ski Beatz's production.  The mixtape also contains features from Curren$y, Big K.R.I.T., Mickey Factz and others. Check it out!


Plus the album artwork is cool as hell. Lol.

Bun B's "Trill OG" earns 5 Mics from The Source

The Source magazine has lost a lot of credibility from me in recent years, however a 5 Mic album is still a special feat for any artist. Most recently Bun B recieved this honor for his album "Trill OG".  This album is a classic even if based on the UGK and Tupac collab alone. That's not it though. Drake delivers 2 timeless hooks and a verse where he boasts, "Drizzy Drake man, young Sweet Jones". And of course Bun B did his first DJ Premier track properly. He and Slim Thug provide something for the slab on the instant Texas anthem, Ridin Slow.
Like most other recent albums, this too has an unusual amount of features, but the Port Arthur native held his own against each guest.  Bun B recently said "It's time for Texas to get back on top." He's leading by example I see.

Ross Vs. Jeezy

Jeezy thinks the C.O. took it a little too far with B.M.F. Jeezy declined Ross's invitation top hop on the remix, instead he made his own version of the song with the Meech. It could be a "planned beef" because both artists are on the same label, so it would bring in extra dollars. Not to mention Ross's new album Teflon Don came out today (I'm going to cop it after work for sure), and Jeezy's TM103 is also near release. Nevertheless, this has to happen. I think people have been waiting on this, especially Ross fans.  And I'm even surprised that I'm saying this but I'm taking Ross in this one. Somehow, someway, even the the C.O. thing is a killer among other things (like every song on the album has features). I just haven't been impressed with most Jeezy's bars lately. What do you think? Whose album will sell more?

Breakthrough MCs of 2010'

Every year MTV has a poll to assist them in making their choice for the "Hottest Breakthrough MCs of 2010". The candidates are Big Sean, Curren$y, Donnis, Freddie Gibbs, J Cole, Jay Electronica, Jay Rock, Nicki Minaj, Nipsey Hustle, Pac Div, Pill, Roscoe Dash, Diggy Simmons, Trae tha Truth, Travis Porter, Tyga, Vado, Waka Flocka Flame, Wiz Khalifa, and Yelawolf.

Realistically I think the only candidates that have a chance are Curren$y, Wiz Khalifa, J Cole, Nicki Minaj and Travis Poter. Granted, someone else may drop an unexpectedly classic album, but probably not. I chose these because Curren$y's album is pretty much a beast to everyone I've asked, Kush and OJ is a smoker's delight, Nicki Minaj has won 2 grammys and has had the #1 single for 9 weeks, and her album has yet to come out (Nov 23), and J Cole produced a classic mixtape and 2 above average singles for his album, and JayZ's cosign. Travis Porter does not get my vote or any other fan of Hip Hop's vote but they got the streets buzzing hard right now. If Jay Electronica ever drop anything else, he should be considered as well. Waka is doing his thing too, I can't hate, but his music appeals to a smaller select group than the aformentioned artists. Vado? eh, he may be at least worth me mentioning.

O and shout out Trae tha Truth from Houston, Tx. His involved in a law suit now because they are banning his music from the radio here in Houston so it's gonna be hard for him to make noise. However, his album will feature the likes of Wayne, Rick Ross, and Bun B..



My guess is that Nicki Minaj will be the Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2010, though my favorite is J Cole. Who do you think?

Pusha T to G.O.O.D. Music

Supposedly Pusha T is signing to G.O.O.D. Music. He won't confirm or deny though, even though his mixtape The Fear of God is dropping on "Good Music Day" with Kanye, Big Sean, Kid Cudi, and Consequence's albums. Not to mention he was also in Hawaii with 'Ye while he was recording his album. This could be/ will be another very G.O.O.D. look for Kanye and the rest of the label.

Another Hov...Couldn't be. Could it?

JayZ opened up his Kindom Come album with another "diss" (like Vol 3, BP, BP3) aimed towards Dame Dash among a couple other people. I guess, through all the beef between Jay and Dame, Dame said something along the lines of [I made JayZ], which sparked a response on from Jay on the song Lost Ones. He says "I heard niggas sayin they made HOV, ok, so make another HOV..." And that's exactly what Dame is trying to do...

Dame Dash recruited Ski Beatz to produce JayZ's debut Reasonable doubt. Classic. And look at Jay Z now... So Dame decides to sign Curren$y to the Roc and guess who he recruits to produce his album. That's right, Ski Beatz. And guess what...Classic! Though Curren$y is not as talented as JayZ he did his thing. It is also speculated that Dame is working with Jay Electronica too, who is as talented as JayZ if not better, lyrically. Yea, I said that. It's highly unlikely that Dame produces another artist who releases 11 #1 albums, becomes the president of Def Jam, and marries Beyonce (to name a few of his accomplishments), but musically, he might be on to something.

Curren$y's Pilot Talk is my second favorite album of the summer next to Thank Me Later. Dame resurrected himself with this one. If Curren$y, Jay Electronica, and Mos Def form a team (as rumors suggest)...lookout. That's all I'm saying.

Pilot Talk

I'm going to go cop Curren$y's album Pilot Talk after I get off work. I'm not impressed by Curren$y's flow, but i'll get it just because Ski Beatz produced it. Besides, the last album Ski produced that Dame co-signed turned out pretty nice (Reasonable Doubt, JayZ). Also, it has some nice features from Devin the Dude, Snoop, Mos Def, Jay Electronica, and a few others...

Nicki's Album

Its official, her not yet titled album is set to release on November 23rd.

Best Production 2010

Who's album of 2010 will have the best production? So far, I'm sure everyone would agree that Thank Me Later has had the best production compared to Recovery, Sir Luscious..., and whatever else I'm missing. However, that may change later next week when Rick Ross drops Teflon Don. He has unique production on all his leaks so far. But all of that may change when Kanye drops his Good A** Job, produced by himself, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, RZA, and Q-tip....that's a Miami Heat of a production team. 

Game's album is produced by Pharell with appearances by Timberland and Dr. Dre. and Cool & Dre...this is an allstar line up as well. Also, don't sleep on Currensy's album which is produced by Ski Beatz...classic.

Boi-1da is having a breakout year with Drakes album, a couple on Em's album, Jeezy's album, Game's album, Bun's album, Big Boi's album, and probably many more. I wouldn't be surprised if he produced a track on Kanye's album. Will he be able to keep up with aformentioned legends? I think so, Kanye's album is looking pretty tough tho.

Some of my favorite beats this summer: The Day (Ski Beatz), Unforgettable (Boi-1da/40), Show Me a Good Time (Kanye), Miss Me (Boi-1da), Maybach Music 3 and Aston Martin Music (J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League)

What are some of your favorite productions?

I'm Not Human

Apparently, Wayne will be dropping an EP called I'm Not Human in September to prelude the highly anticipated Carter IV. I cannot wait for either. I really can't wait for the Drake and Lil Wayne album that they are supposely going to work on upon Wayne's release. FREE LIL WAYNE!!!!

Drake disses Ludacris....Ohhh Noooo!!!

"Like I catch 'em stealin' flows 'cause I swear I never loaned it" Miss Me by Drake ft. Lil Wayne

“Well, that flow has been killed by so many rappers. And, I never want to use that flow again in life. [Laughs] I wanted to take if off my album, because I was like, ‘I shut ‘em down. Onyx.’ I hate the fact that that rhyme is still in there. To be honest, that flow, you can trace it back to like…I trace it back to Big Sean (artist onKanye West‘s G.O.O.D. Music). That’s the first guy I heard utilize that flow throughout the duration of a verse. I’ll give him that credit. I think Kanye got it from him. Me and Wayne found a dope way to do it. I don’t want to sound cocky, but the best way its been used was on “Forever.” Those lines just all individually make so much sense. They’re all punchlines. Then a bunch of rappers started doing it and using the most terrible references in the world. I don’t want to offend somebody…I hate that rappers picked that flow up. I wish they had left that for people that know how to use it. [They go like] “It’s a parade! MACY’S!” (All Hip Hop)


“D*mn, Drake admitted that he used my #supadupa flow, n got it from me, I started a ryme scheme that changed rap" Big Sean's quote on Twitter.
 
I feel Drake on that but he can't say he got it from Big Sean then get mad because Luda stole it from him. I agree that Drake did it best on Forever though. It may have been a slight mistake to diss Ludacris though. Luda will bury Drake on a diss track...and you can bet your bottom dollar that Luda will respond. Smh, bad idea Drizzy. O and Big Sean's twitter quote sound rather lame. Yea they stole your flow but it has not changed rap. Relax...just give us another mixtape already.

J Cole disses Drake?

Who Dat, his first single...
"A couple of yall aint took a field trip to the hood. ay me im fresh prince im will smith to the hood Baby!
aint sayin names but we not the same, all that money and the fame dont change the fact that u lame
might wanna grab you a chain wanna tip up your hat, might wanna purchase some game homie your shit is so wack"

Back to the Topic Freestyle:
"Thinking how these rap niggas gotta be fakin', Whole style obviously copied, pasted
Plagiarized swag, may arrive last, But when it’s all said and done I’mma be ahead of them..."

"Far from an overnight achiever, Cole is like the leader
Of the new niggas, to tell the truth I’m only fucking with a few niggas
If that, the rest of you niggas get lapped"

Just Begun:
"Really though, I’m LeBron, Really don’t got my mind,
on this new school of rappers, I will really go Columbine
& throw up the diamond sign"

Drake didn't come into the rap game from the hood. He came in the game already rich and famous. Alot of true hip hoppers have a hard time appreciating Drake because of his rap-sing style ("wack"). On the freestyle he could be referring to how Drake is a swagger jacker, which he definately is. I think most people will agree with me when I say Drake styles sounds like a polished version of Wayne and Kanye (808s and Heartbreak). Also J Cole understands Drake is in the lead now but he's ok with that. But he still say he's the leader of the "new niggas", only f*cking with "a few niggas if that" ...not Drake though, he can "get lapped." And finally, "on this new school of rappers I will really go Columbine...and throw up the Diamond sign" like whats up Young Money lol. That's one of my favorite lines from him btw.


Granted, he could be generally speaking in all these lines, or they could be subliminal. I'm going with the latter just because of who is mentor is, Jay-Z, who is the king of subliminal lines. If J Cole really is dissing Drake, I applaud him. Not because I don't like Drake but because, to me, the "diss" game is crutial in hip hop (also adressed in previous posts), and it seems that nobody wants to go there anymore these days. J Cole does though...I think. What do you think?

Sucks For Big Boi

The industry is a b*tch as most of us know. Big Boi's first solo album debuted yesterday (July 6). Some contract prevented Andre 3000 from being on the album at all. He probably lost 100,000 sales because of that.

Your Love

Another #1 record by Young Money's own, no, not Drake, Nicki Minaj. She says she was gonna just sit on it but it leaked. She had never intended to release it...ever. Guess she can't be mad at whoever leaked the song without her permission.