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Peace to everybody GlobalGrinding worldwide.

Special condolences go out to the entire nation of Japan who is suffering through the worst right now. The Japanese have long been supporters of the hip hop culture and its artists. The sneakers, gadgetry, DJ Honda, DJ Krush, Puffy AmiYumi, Hideki Matsui, and overall technology are just a few examples of the gifts that this great nation has blessed the world with. Big up to my man DJ Kast One, who was in Japan touring when the earthquake and tsunami happened. Besides being an ambassador for hip hop culture and a world renowned DJ, he’s a good dude whose sneaker collection is Picasso. He just made it back to NYC safely and in one peace. Salute!

R.I.P. to one of the greatest voices ever in hip hop music, Nate Dogg. Nate’s singing was the cornerstone of what made the G-Funk era one of the most important movements in hip hop history. 213 was arguably rap music’s most important underground group because all 3 members, Snoop Dogg, Warren G and Nate Dogg, went on to leave their mark on hip hop. Nate had party anthems like: “Ain’t No Fun,” “The Next Episode,” “Area Codes,” “I Can’t Deny It.” Can’t forget classics like “Regulate,” “21 Questions” and my personal favorite “Ooh Wee.” Long before T-Pain, Nate Dogg blazed a trail on R&B records with no Auto-Tune in sight. Salute Nate Dogg. 

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First off this week, Lil B The Based God’s “Base For Your Face.” Lil B, you can’t stop laughing at this dude. He was a former member of the group The Pack. He has resurfaced with an allegiance of hipster fans that are completely insane. Lil B’s apparent disregard for lyrical style and his basic nursery school rhymes have gotten him a few places recently. He was featured on this month’s Freshman Cover 2011 for XXL Magazine.  “Thank you Based God” is a catch phrase that has become popular when referring to Lil B. His many fans yell this at him for no apparent reason at his shows. Ingenious producer 9th Wonda uses this phrase as the spinal column to this fire track he produced. What makes this particular record interesting is the collabo between the skilled MCs Phonte, Jean Grae and Lil B. You really don’t want to like Lil B on this but you will be nodding your head, or laughing, by the time “Base For Your Face” is done.

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Next up, Lupe Fiasco delivers a smash new record with the homie Trey Songz, “Out of My Head.” Up and coming producer Mykal Snoddy provides the soundscape behind this masterpiece. Lupe spits ridiculous over the “big band big synthesizing track”. The beat alone will have you doing 90 mph on the Dan Ryan Expressway. No deep word play, just simple club flow that you can rhyme to while you groove with a Misses. It’s definitely something you will hear on the radio that has the regular “hit record” formula, yet the avant garde flavor only Lupe could deliver and Trey Songz champions yet another hit making hook. When Lupe did this record at a recent New York show, it really brought down the house. “Out of My Head” is guaranteed to heat up as the spring really begins to set in.

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Shout to my dude Hanif Sumner on this next group Rocky Business. Nif put me onto these guys at a recent Mercury Lounge show in New York. Rocky Business is actually a hybrid group formed when the likes of MC Strictly Business and vocalist/producer Johnny on the Rocks. The result is good music that has been quietly bubbling in the ever growing NYC hipster-rap scene for a while now. “Rocky’s Theme” is a great record to get familiar with. Johnny’s vocals have an ’80s rock feel that remind you of Rick Springfield. Strictly Business’s Brooklyn flow on this track is diagonal, sort of like how Lee Ave intersects Flushing and then turns into Nostrand. Very complex, but not really if you pay attention. Their EP, “Rebels Roar,” drops soon and if you’re at South By Southwest this weekend they will be a part of “The Village Voice” showcase.

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Far East Movement returns to the mainstream with another guaranteed smash, “Candy.” Hip Hop’s diversity tree yields yet another incredible group with the F.E.M. These 4 talented musicians with Asian ancestry are very important to the planet right now especially with the tragedies in Japan. The world hasn’t seen a group of funky, dope and innovative musicians who represent the Asian influence on hip hop culture like these guys. They’ve already delivered the hits “Rocketeer” and “Like A G6” and “Candy” is another extension of the beginning of their global domination. DJ Virman and the rest of F.E.M., teamed up with The Stereotypes and this is the result, “Shake that pinata…Let me get that candy, girl.” This groovy track is similar to “G6” and hook is very catchy. I can see David Guetta already putting in his bid to do a remix.

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Finally, Big K.R.I.T. dropped another gem that had the entire blogosphere buzzing this week, “American Rapstar.” A follow up to the record “Dreamin'”, “American Rapstar” is something to keep K.R.I.T. fans “leanin'” while he prepares to deliver us his freshman “fix” via Def Jam. What makes this track is dope, besides K.R.I.T.’s signature southern comfort sour diesel flow, is the message behind it, the beat reminds you of a Marvin Gaye sample. K.R.I.T. is on that same freshman 2011 cover that features Lil B. He really paid his dues to sit in that seat as my man DJ Wally Sparks put me onto his abilities way back in 2005. K.R.I.T. makes his own music and is one of only a few Southern producers who are primarily respected for sampling. His tracks would make the legendary Pete Rock proud. You should Google this modern day Mozart if you’re unfamiliar. His mixtapes “K.R.I.T. Wuz Here” and “Return of 4eva” are a must have for the iPod.

Until we read again…..

Brandon ‘TNT’ West

Producer, A&R, Promoter

Holla at him @tnt718