The Beastie Boys are an iconic group in hip-hop music. Their classic Licensed to Ill album is forever the first memories I have of a cassette tape. King Ad Rock, Mike D and who could ever forget MCA. Sadly, MCA, Adam Yauch, passed away yesterday from a bout with cancer. He was only 47. All three of the Beastie’s had a unique style. Together they were seamless, but MCA’s gruff and tough voice was always the glue and ad-lib that held their verses together. My favorite records include “Get It Together” and “Shake Your Rump.” “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” is a classic borough party record that still rings off at any party today in any city all over the world. R.I.P. MCA.
Nas continues to heat up the rhetoric in the press with his latest smash, “Daughters.” If you haven’t peeped it yet the track is an ode to all fathers who have parental issues with their teenage daughters. Ironically, the lyrics drew fire from Nas’ baby mother Carmen. Listen for yourself, and be the judge. Personally I commend Nas for tackling a subject that most rappers haven’t even considered. He definitely doesn’t attack his daughter as much as he blames himself as parent for his shortcomings.
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Chief Keef is the hottest, youngest most sought after MC in the game. Literally he went from YouTube buzz just 2 months ago to having Cash Money’s Baby willing to do anything to sign this kid. Keef’s “I Don’t Like Kanye West-produced remix was all the rage this week in more ways than one. The G.O.O.D. family cast is in on it: Pusha T, Yeezy and Big Sean. Jadakiss also drops a vintage NY 16-bar blazer at the end. But it was Kanye’s remake of the original track and his lack of communication with the original producer, Young Chop, that made the headlines. Peep the remix below, and here’s a link to the original version.
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We’ve been patiently waiting for the ignorance season to commence. Finally this week, Wacka Flocka resurfaced with a new record featuring Meek Mill. “Let Dem Gunz Blam.” With the emergence of Chief Keef and A$AP Rocky, street hip-hop or “street”-hop is at a premium right now, and this track is definitely not “unleaded.” This is the anthem for all the silent day walkers and even the normal partygoers, whose guilty
pleasure in the club is knowing the lyrics to the most violent, thugged-out rap song. You already know what to expect from Wacka lyrically. It’s Meek Mill though that is fast becoming the go-to feature artist, whose rapid style compliments any flow.
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Usher must be feeling the energy of the streets as well. Peep his newest single to leak featuring Rick Ross. It’s a slightly harder version of Usher than we’re used to hearing as of late (see “Climax”). No more “dancing from side to side.” All the sudden he’s telling chick’s “Lemme See” over a bass-heavy Jim Jonsin produced beat that so raunchy to the ear. For good measure, or street cred, Usher got Maybach Music CEO Rickey Rozallini aka Rick Ross — “less burger “— to give it that extra “hood approved” status. This will rock all clubs but especially The Strip clubs. Stay tuned.
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2 Chainz is definitely the MC hustler of the year from 2011. He was featured on so many artist’s tracks, both mainstream and underground. Word is 2 Chainz was once the hustler of year in the streets as well. Whatever it is or was, it’s his hustle that has definitely helped to transcend his music and career. Now with the anticipation of his debut album on Def Jam we get the first single, “No Lie.” 2 Chainz can’t go wrong with Drake on his first single, right? Only time and chart positions will tell. Until We Read Again….
Brandon ‘TNT’ West
Music Exec / Industry Insider/ The Andy Rooney of Hip Hop Culture
Holla at him @tnt718
