WhatUpThough

This might come off spoiled to those of you not in California, but today in Sacramento we had our first major rain. The impact of the first day of rain isn’t measured in inches, but rather accidents on the road because if there is a time when Californians act like complete idiots, it’s when it rains.

Stuck in traffic today, thanks to mass idiotism, bumping my 90 minute Maxell strictly C-Rayz Walz tape “Rain Forever” came on. It seemed appropriate, and doubled as soothing in that neck-needed-a-proper-snapping stress relieving sense. Off his overlooked We Live: The Black Samurai EP,  “Rain Forever” stands out to me as one of the most soulful C-Rayz songs. The songs structure and hook sung by Bleedin Gumz (no Murphy), combined with the haunting piano loop make a light table for Walz’s wild style lyrical slides. It’s just a great song from every angle; so right it can’t be left.

C-Rayz Walz-”Rain Forever”

Over the past couple months I’ve been on a serious Eddie Harris kick. Lately good fortune has had me coming across some of his classic albums, from Plug Me In, and The Electrifying Eddie Harris, to Second Movement with Les McCann, who is featured in the video above on the keys. People talk about the saxophone being a conversationalist instrument, and with that said Eddie speaks in an intellectual dialect that I can comprehend. He doesn’t go over your head with abstractions, but his melodies ride with the fluency of a trigonometry equation.

As you might know Cold Duck is potent drink, and I can’t help but think it inspired this now infamous Jazz standard. To that I say cheers, we only have a few more days before Rocktober comes to an end and alcohol abuse becomes an issue again.

For those still not knowing Willie Isz consists of Jneiro Jarel and Khujo Goodie, and they’re about to fuck some heads up in the first quarter of 09 with their collabortive debut Georgiavania. This is one of those albums I don’t fear my over anticipation. Jniero can’t do any wrong in my opinion, and bringing Khujo to his world adds another element that makes the music and message even more undeniable. As the press release reads “In The Red” is “Willie Isz take on a Utopian future with no money. Lyrically it’s like a cross between John Lennon’s “Imagine” and “Brother Can You Spare A Dime?” They’re taking it there and beyond.

Willie Isz-”In The Red”

Follow the jump for a video interview

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A glimpse of hope.

An easy post while I eat some cereal…

Madlib w/ Frank-N-Dank: “Drinks Up”

I expected an anthem, but that’s not what we get here, at all. Last time these three got together we got this, and while I’m never mad at a ‘banging on the lunch table’ beat, it’s not what Frank-N-Dank do best.

E-40 w/ Diamond Princess and Shawty Lo: “Break Ya Ankles” remix

AKA “Snap Ya Fingers” but with your feet. I’m worried about The Ball Street Journal. Too much Droop and Lil Jon and not enough Rick Rock and Studio Ton.

Jamie Lidell: “Out Of My System” Zion I remix

I don’t know the original so I don’t know how Amp Live flipped it, but I can see why some people would love this and others would hate it. For those that hate, try this one….

Zion I: “The Rebel”

The first leak off their upcoming mixtape (which will actually be released on tape), “The Rebel” is a remake of PE’s “Rebel Without A Pause.” It doesn’t match the intensity, but I got no qualms banging it out.

And one from the vaults

Equipto: “I’ll Never Leave You” off his album Sketches From The Inside Out

The homie Dirty Paul copped this rare release from Equipto’s catalog, and I would bump this song on repeat. The beat is nuts, produced by DJ Pause I believe, and as always Equipto kills it on the smooth assasin shit. On a sidenote, props to Block Monster Brandon B for making moves. Trust you’ll be hearing a lot more about Equipto, DJ Pause and Shag Nasty here in the future.

I’m in the process of shedding the idea of “being a professional  writer” and just being a fan again. I haven’t enjoyed the writing process in a minute now, and with the exception of one or two magazines, my experiences have been pretty sour. Time to switch gears, and figure out a new plan. I’m not quitting, just changing my focus for the time being.

But you don’t come here for that shit… So here you go….

I’m late on this one, but I really enjoyed this video of Obama and McCain at the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner. It’s interesting to see these guys in a light-hearted situation, and it’s actually kinda funny.

Bun B at The Red Bull Music Academy and if you got two hours, Chuck D at The Red Bull Music Academy.

I did a short piece for SmokingSection where I jock “City to City” by B-Legit and Leviti

Exclusive!!! The homie Cambo hit me off with a remix he did of “Love Lockdown.”

I’m hitting the road through the weekend. I will come back with a plan, and daily updates. Thanks for being patient.

On shelves now. As far as writing goes this is the my greatest achievement, and I’m glad I share it with one of maybe three people I’ve met in this industry I can call a friend.

Now if only Edwin Birdsong would holler back….

This post was inspired by Unkut uprooting an alternate version to KRS-One’s “Outta Here.” That, and everything else is fucking wack.

“Mavericks”, thank you Tina Fey for burying it, or should I thank Sarah Palin for abusing it? All in the same I suppose. Next one ripe for a murking; “my friends.” Between that and the not shaking the hand shit…outta here.

Vh1’s top 100 Hip-Hop songs: I knew this one would anger me, but “T.R.O.Y.” as fucking 90??? (without question in my top 5) and not one Too $hort song when the only reason you’re doing this fucking list is promote a show to honor him!?!? Shit, G Rap didn’t even make the list. Outta here.

AIG gladly took the bailout money, and took themselves outta here.

Eddie Def prophesied this in the 2001 documentary Scratch; the DJ video game. Fuck outta here.

14 seconds and you’re outta here, and by who?

Don’t get it twisted, I jock Large Professor too, but man, that dude’s hooks and choruses from “blaze lyrics, blaze rhymes” to this…outta here.

That Latarian Milton shit, yeah we still on it!!! My man is trying to put a fresh ice cube tray in the freezer, Kelly Dunn get outta here!!!

Confiscating a knife from a second grader in class…real talk…that shit is outta here.

Click the picture to purchase via iTunes.

It took me a couple listens, but when I finally got a grasp of the concept and then really went in dissecting the beats, it was a wrap. L7 is a really dope album. And to all you bootlegging motherfuckers out there, let the man eat before you go and vulture up his dish like it’s yours in the first place. Also, if you’re local record store or wherever you buy your music doesn’t have it, request it.

What ever happened to that blue shit he was trying to hock for a minute? Anyway, here’s that new shit; Landy Cognac…XO

My favorite Landy is still Sarah.