How awesome is this? Common takes a moment to recite a verse from Nas' classic song "Life's a Bitch" for 2DopeBoyz and Restless Films' video series called "VS."
Filmmaker Court Dunn captured the visuals and the cinematography was done by Mike Florio. I have feeling that Common's upcoming album The Dreamer/The Believer will no doubt be a classic, as well. Cop it at digital and retail stores on Dec. 20.
The Roots album undun is sounding like another classic. Their latest leak features Dice Raw and Phonte spitting somber rhymes over a head-nodding beat. The song is part of the album's story line about a young man who enters into a life of crime. I have some trepidation about the illdelph band's releasing a concept album in today's fickle rap crowd. But if anyone can pull off a thought-provoking, conceptual rap album, it's certainly the Roots.
For the record, I don't jump on bandwagons, period. I could care less if Pitchfork or any other rap blog co-signs an artist. I trust my two ears and they have never failed me in my career as a music journalist (well, maybe once or twice, ha!).
The cool folks over at the respectable hip-hop blog Fakeshore Drive put a bug in my ear about this Chi-City rapper named King Louie. He's so cool that's he too cool for school. (I had to say that.)
This is the remix to his hit single "Too Cool" that apparently has Chicago and the Internets going nuts. He grabs fellow rhyme-spitters 2 Chainz and Red Cafe for a south and east coast connection. The track features computer blips and lots of bragging about whips, chips and bitches.
I don't know if this will become a nationwide hit, but it certainly has a lot of bounce to it. I wish him the best on his come up. Get that paper.
King Louie -- Too Cool" (Remix) [F/ 2 Chainz & Red Cafe]
Cool Dudes: fsd
Jazmine Sullivan is, undoubtedly, one of the most underrated songbirds in R&B. She's been gone way too long without releasing some new music. We definitely need another album from her.
At first listen this sounds like your typical lovey-dovey R&B ballad until the drums kick in from Notorious B.I.G.'s "I Got a Story to Tell." Sullivan sings of an adulterous affair with another man -- her career. Although she's making sweet music with her career, the boyfriend is fed up of being neglected. It's a well-written soulful ballad from the Philadelphia songbird and producer Salaam Remi. Take a listen:
Jazmine Sullivan -- "My Career" (Produced by Salaam Remi)
Spotted: SK
Rapper Buckshot is a true veteran of the rap game. His record label, Duck Down Records, has been in business for over 15 years and still growing. In an interview with Canada's Montreality TV, he talks about a myriad of things including his three keys of success.
But he has a few hilarious anecdotal stories including a crazy prank he played on a weed head and Sean Prince getting into a dust-up with a cop at an airport. Great stuff from the BDI. He even gives a "Rise In Peace" shout-out to the late Montreal rapper Bad News Brown. Buckshot is truly a man of the people.