First and foremost I want to send a heartfelt condolence to the victims of the horrible shooting in Colorado…
Nas’ new album, Life Is Good, dropped this week behind a whirlwind media storm. From The ESPYS to The Colbert Report, with release parties all over the continental United States, Queensbridge’s most famous MC has been on a promo tour similar to that of a new artist. But the reason is clear: there hasn’t been a Nas album this classic since his 1994 debut, Illmatic. There are too many standout records on this album, but “A Queens Story” is perhaps that hip-hop Scorsese single that tells the ancient Q-Boro gangsta tales most vividly. Nas name drops Queens underworld legends such as Bimmy, Black Jus and E-Money Bags. Fans who never heard of these guys can appreciate the time capsule delivered by one of the greatest storytellers in rhyme.
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Rick Ross is never one to let even a three week stretch go by without some new Rozay music wafting through your speakers, via radio or mixtape. But this week the Maybach Don decided to make a statement with the Jake One produced “3 Kings” track. It features 16s from Dr. Dre and Jay-Z. Now, on paper, without hearing one spin, you have to assume that this record is going to be a hit. Aside from Kendrick Lamar, when is the last time Dre laced us with anything? So you know “3 Kings” had to be special. Jay-Z raps about “once pullin up in a beamer” and now he can pull up to his “own arena.” I can already see the cameo appearances at his sold-out his out shows to open the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
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Philly has been a five-alarm blaze since Meek Mill entered the game. But before the Maybach Capo had reverends trying to boycott hip-hop music, State Property had the Keystone state on top of the world of hip-hop. State Prop shined bright under that Rocafella spotlight. Word to Pete Rock & CL Smooth: too bad good things never last. But that’s what reunions are made for. This week the entire State Property (Omillio Sparks, Beanie Sigel, Peedi Crakk, Freeway and Young Chris) showed and proved on “The Reunion.” What make this song even more dope is that it came out on the legendary Philly powerhouse label RuffHouse.
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This Danny Brown and AraabMuzik collabo has been getting a lot of press lately. One of the tracks starting to make noise is this “Molly Ringwald” song. Not sure why Brown and Muzik named a song after Ringwald (the 1980’s star of such movies as The Breakfast Club and Pretty In Pink) but it’s definitely must hear Muzik! Danny Brown’s comical metaphors and witty punchlines have quickly accelerated his status amongst his fellow MCs. Araab was a Duke Da God and Diplomats disciple until that Under Armor commercial with Cam Newton blew him higher than weed smoke. I can’t wait to hear the rest of their project.
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It seems like a new artist gets signed from Chicago every week these days. This week Maybach Music caught a little of that hot Chi Town breeze when they signed Rockie Fresh. Fresh has been doing his thing in the Mid West for a minute, but if you’re just arriving to the show, peep this new track “You A Lie.” This is actually a remix that features his new Maybach coach Rick Ross. Rockie is not Chief Keef nor is he Kanye. What he is is an artist with his own style who is now on one of the hottest teams in hip-hop music.
Stay Tuned.
