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Hip-Hop

Hip Hop Hatin’ Part, 2: Mainstream Rap Going the Way of Disco?

Though some dude at Bol’s XXL joint tried to hurt my feelings by calling me a…um, “another nigga who doesn???t even know what the fuck he???s talking about,” (or maybe I'm the “nigga who made a post looking at one week,” who knows?), I've decided to continue my Hip-Hop Hatin' series, this time focusing on marketing in hip-hop.

Hip-Hop is Dead.

Those aren’tmy words, so blame Nas for that. Its the title of the Queensbridge rapper’s latest album, but that might be the notion coming from Madison Avenue . Why is that? Because no one knows how to watch trends like the those dudes on Madison. And said dudes aren’triding the “gravy train” any more.

This week, Sprite abandoned its hip-hop ad campaign in favor of…well, damn, I don’teven know what they're doing now. AdAge says: Five cinema spots (four 30-second and one 60-second) feature creative that rapidly cuts from one bizarre scene to the next with special codes and visual rewards in between scenes. “Welcome to 'SubLYMONal' advertising,” declares a voice over for each spot. “For best results, do not blink.” WTF?

Add to that the fact that Reebok is abandoning their hip-hop themed “RBK” ad campaign, which featured such acts as 50 Cent and Pharrell. Although the campaign produced major profits for the company and led the shoe manufacturer to a dramatic turnaround, the powers that be decided to cut the rappers from their roster as well as get out of their NBA contract after they got bought out by Addias.

So instead of hearing 50 Cent pimping your favorite product, you might want to get used to seeing James Blunt on your TV screen.
Read the rest of this entry »

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UK Sounds

Bush Immigration Plan Working?

The beautiful, yet quasi-talented UK rapper MIA has been denied a visa to work in the United States by customs. So far, “the man” is being tight-lipped on exactly why they won’tlet her into the country, and the rapper never states on her MySpace blog exactly why she was denied a visa. Most suspect that it has something to do with her lyrics and her fathers ties to the Tamil Tigers terrorist organization.

My guess it that its retaliation for the UK banning Snoop Dogg from their country. If the UK won’tlet Snoop bless them with his tales of weed and pimpdom then we won’tlet MIA bless us with…um…what would she bless us with again?

You know I kid.

Word is that my homegirl was trying to get into the US to work on her new album with the usual talents of Timbaland, Missy Elliott and Kanye. (via Asians in Media, Diff Kitch)

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Get Low Bus

Busta Rhymes feat Nas Don’tGet Carried Away (prod Dr Dre)

I don’tknow if Dr. Dre really produced this, but the beat is heem. Nas verse was ok, but the is a good look.

Tags: Mandrill

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Random Ish: Thursday, May 18th

Tire rotation and a Latte. That’s how they do it in the Low Country.

My body has been back from South Carolina since Sunday. My brain just got back last night. Anyway, I haven’tdone one of these in a while, so here goes:

Okay, so in ‘06 I’ve been getting a bunch of wack music in my inbox (and my mailbox). Where is the good music at? Seriously???

Oh, and can anybody suggest some new rock music for my Zen? The Deftones and Doves MP3s are getting played out.

And does anyone have a way to record a good phone Podcast. My setup is jacked. I lost one good Podcast and I’m barely salvaging another due to mad audio difficulties.

We have two contests this month. One from Leela James, and one from Lady Sov. If you love me, you’ll enter.

Why are so many Weed Carriers being killed? And while we’re on the subject, vote in the first annual Weed Carrier awards.

New Pharell feat. Kanye - “Metrosexuals Unite” - “Number One”. Pharell is becoming too damn predictable nowadays. He needs to drop a banger like “Flap Ya Wings” to stay relevant.

Miami Tops Auto Club List for Rude Drivers - My sister used to live in MIA and when I went down she loaned me her car for a couple days. This is no joke. Miami people don’tknow how to drive. I’ve driven in NYC, London, and the Caribbean, and the only time I feared for my life was driving down South Dixie Highway.

Much respect to Honey for the shout out!

Listening to this song will drive you to suicide.

Oh, and future Couch Sessions shows have been put on hold for the minute while I work on other projects. Hopefully I’ll start doing shows sometime in July/August so be on the lookout.

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Album Preview, Hip-Hop, House/Electronic, Negroclash!

Cee-Lo + Jack Splash = The Heart Attack

The Heart Attack - “Right Now”

The Heart Attack - “Gangsta Boogie”

Gnarls Barkley is soooooo early 2006…

You would think that Thomas Calloway (aka Cee-Lo Green) would rest after the success that is Gnarls Barkley. But no, the dude is still on it, recording a new album with Plantlife member Jack Splash. The new duo is working under the name The Heart Attack (or Lovestink depending on who you ask) and droppin’ some 70s soul-influenced goodness on yo ass.

“Right Now,” is a straight rip of a mid-70s soul song, while “Gangsta Boogie” is a horn-drenched dance-floor jam reminiscent of the dude’s breakout record, “Closet Freak.” This is not the life-contemplating, suicide droppin’ Cee-Lo from Gnarls. It’s a return of the feather boa, Bootsy Collins-esque Cee-Lo from Cee-Lo Green and His Perfect Imperfections.

Some lucky owners of St. Elsewhere were blessed with a 3 track Heart Attack EP (and unfortunately, I wasn’tone of them). Look for it in late 2006.

Update: The only other track on the EP is the “Crazy” Dave Ghetto remix which I’ve had for some time. Same track with an extra DG verse in the middle. I can post a link if y’all request.

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Hip-Hop

The Official Video of the Summer

Crown City Rockers - “B-Boy.” The Summer starts now people. (via OKP)

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Hip-Hop, New Music, R&B

New Music: Sleepy Brown - Margarita

Sleepy Brown - “Margarita” feat. Big Boi and Pharrell
from Mr. Brown (2006)

I gotta admit, I’m a sucker for Neptunes beats, even if they all sound the same. Who cares. I’ve been ridin’ the Neptunes since the mid-nineties (no Vito), and this track is no exception. This could look to be the track of the summer if they finally get to drop that Sleepy Brown album.

And what’s up with the Sleepy Brown album anyway? The dude can’teven get a fair shake even though he produced TLC’s Waterfalls and dropped the most slept on R&B album ever (Sleepy’s Theme). I know the dude is not hurtin’ for money, but can the brother get a break?

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Hip-Hop, New Music

New Roots: Don’tFeel Right

The Roots - “Don’tFeel Right”

from Game Theory (2006)

This is the first single of Game Theory and I’m not feelin’ it. Yet. It sounds like a B-side to The Tipping Point. It’s a decent cut, but the title of the track says it all: something about this record don’tfeel right.

I want the band to progress and expand their creative abilities like Outkast, and this first single isn’tshowing much promise for that. I’m still not giving up on them though. The first single off of Tipping Point was wack (and the band wasn’thappy with it), but the rest of the album was up to par.

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Hip-Hop, Music News

Tribe Called Quest Reunion

What is this? A Tribe reunion? It’s about time.

Tribe member Ali Shaheed Muhammad told MTV that the group is looking to do a reunion tour sometime in October or November. He also confirmed that all three members are working on solo projects. We already knew about Q-tip, but its good to see Phife and Ali doin’ their thing as well.

No word on a reunion album, but seriously I don’teven think I want Tribe to ruin their rep by throwing out a wack CD. I would rather have them do another Greatest Hits album, drop some new or unreleased tracks, and call it a day.

You know I’m gonna be the first person in line at a reunion show. These dude better play DC or we might have to riot College Park style.

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Hip-Hop, R&B

New Music: Method Man feat Lauryn Hill

Method Man feat Lauryn Hill - “Things They Say”
from ???

After her wack ass performance in New Orleans last week, not to mention the blunder that is the return of the Fugees, I was about to give up on Ms. Hill. However, her hook on this song proves that my homegirl ain’tout yet. I don’twant Lauryn to be reduced to a hook girl, but anything is better than nothing.

Method Man is mad as hell, y’all. And with the state of hip-hop right now, who wouldn’tbe? Not only does he go after the “industry,” but sets his aim at the critics that gave his last album the diss. (I didn’teven know he had a last album, so y’all don’tlook at me!)

The track itself is hot. The instrumental sounds like something off of Miseducation, and the chemistry between Meth and Hill is good, though it can’tcompare to him and Mary J (though not many rapper/R&B combos could even try). I’m trying to find out more info about this track, but its most likely the first single off of Meth’s new album 421 which drops sometime this year.

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