NaS Excels Where Common Fails on New Track

 

Maybe I'm in the minority here but let me first say that I much rather prefer the Electric Circus / Universal Mind Control / Be version of rapper Common over his latest incarnation, which has him exchanging hardcore rhymes with NaS over a banging street track courtesy of producer No I.D.

Let me clarify.

Any rhymes from Common are always soothing sounds for ears sore from the prevailing hodgepodge of random rap music that shows no signs of slowing its invasion of Hiphop. But when he kicks hardcore lines – specifically when he starts off the songs with lines like "I wanna bitch who looks good and cooks good" -- it comes off as forced at best and insincere at worst. Hell, we already know Comm has been linked to some top notch females so what's with these ridiculous demands? But I digress.

Slim Thug the Boss Hogg Outlaw

Houston rapper Slim Thug was not very happy with how "Already Platinum," his 2005 major label debut on Star Trak/Interscope Records, was received by the masses.

He was even more upset with the album's lack of marketing and promotion, which is understandable considering a few things:

He was able to sell exponentially more regionally as an independent artist compared to what he sold nationally as a major label artist; he recorded two versions of "Already Platinum" (the original version was shelved and he was ordered by the label to record new songs), indicating he worked hard on that album; and he had zero creative control.

All three were foreign concepts to him.

His die hard fans chastised his new, glossy sound which, compared to his original traditional down south sound, didn't appeal to his core fan base.

Because of all this Slim Thugga has severed his ties with both Star Trak and Interscope (Interscope is undergoing a reorganization of sorts so many of their artists are looking to leave), and signed with indy label of the moment Koch Records. 

He is currently readying his next album, "The Boss of All Bosses," but will first release the second album from his crew Boss Hogg Outlawz, titled "Back By Blockular Demand (Serve & Collect 2)".

And to top it off, he has a new song produced by Dr. Dre that in part chronicles his experience with a major label. Here are some excerpts from the song, defiantly called "B*tch, I'm Back":

"A born boss, got nothing to lose,

Still shining in the game, I got nothing to prove.

Got rich independent, didn't need no deal.

Had paper 'fore I signed, didn't need no meal.

Got hustles on the side,

I ain't got to rap.

And if all else fails, I still got the trap.

I don't f*ck with you rappers,

Y'all fake to me.

I don't fuck with you majors,

Y'all snakes to me. ..."

And...

"I dropped Already Platinum but it only sold gold,

And n*ggas looking at me like I sold my soul.

'Cause I'm rapping with P and not Mr. Lee,

But when you're on your grind some times you can't see."

And...

"Just stay true, my n*gga, and do you,

And fuck what another's trying to tell you to do."

I think from those lines alone it is painfully obvious that Slim Thug blames Pharrell and Interscope for what he considers a failure of an album (but by today's standards is considered a successfully-selling album).

To demonstrate the greatness that is Slim Thug + The Neptunes, here is a song from the shelved version of "Already Platinum" that showcases Slim Thug's rapping ability (where ironically he raps, referring to the beat, "you done let Pharrell bring out the beast in me" -- isn't that a good thing?) over an upbeat Neptunes track, which in my opinion illustrates Slim's versatility instead of always rapping over those slow, methodical similar-sounding beats that re normally embraced by Hiphop fans in the southern regions.

Slim Thug -- Problematic Feat. Pharrell

And here is the newest video from The Boss Hogg Outlawz, featuring Ray J.

The Clipse Video: Fast Life

I still have love for The Clipse despite the obvious strains between them and The Neptunes, who are the reason for their very existence and fan base.

"Fast Life" is the first single from their Re-Up Gang album, and there is reportedly zero Neptunes involvement. If this lead single is any indication of where the album goes musically, I probably won't buy it.

This is a basic Scott Storch beat, and not very hot if you ask me. It sounds and feels like Scott probably sold this track for well under his market value (because he was trying to get his money back up to pay his back taxes while on the run, evading authorities).

It also sounds like one of those "jiggy" beats from the late 90s that were once so popular, complete with heavy a grand opening of synths and strings that eventually gives way to a mediocre melody.

Pusha and Malice trade rhymes bragging of wealth, women, cars and selling drugs, which, of course, unlike rap, is the primary source behind all of the aforementioned.

But as is usually the case with these two -- especially Pusha -- no matter what the song's subject matter may be, it always eventually comes back to a cocaine reference of some sort. And Pusha immediately shows that this song is no exception:

Whatchu wanna do with me?
King of the powder flow, untouchable
If you don't believe, then homey, you sniff me.
The scent's still trapped in my clothes
And I just came from over the stove.

Malice prefers the self grandiose approach on this track, but still makes it known that his lifestyle is a result of drug dealing:

My presence is an event.
The party don't start until they let us in.
That's right, ladies and gents,
Coke money to rap money, give it a rinse.
Next comes the spin cycle,
The rims on my Benz get more spins than Michael.

Overall it's a decent effort but by eschewing the Neptunes in favor of other, less talented producers alienates a lot of their fans, who may not really be eager to hear Pusha and Malice rhyme over amateur production.

The cheesy, typical video follows:

Pharrell Talks Madonna, Common, Solo Album

A recent interview with Pharrell uncovered a few gems I had no idea about.

After intially dismissing the influence of drum n' bass on the new N*E*R*D album, Pharrell finally admits it in reference to Common's new album, of which the majority will be produced by the Neptunes:

"We kept talking about going in the studio for two years straight. We had done "Come Close" a couple of years ago, but he said he wanted to go back in and work together. We finally we scheduled it and it was just magical. He was into where I was going...

I was annoyed by D&B when I was young. You have to think about it, what could we do more energetic than Lapdance. So we had to speed up the BPMs so we took it to 140!"

About working with Madonna and him making her cry in the studio:

"We really collaborated and she pushed me harder and harder and harder. At first it frustrated me cos I'd never been demanded around like that, but after a while, I got used to it and it made me be even more efficient than I would normally be. I learned a lot. I thought I was a workaholic before -- now I'm a workaholic."

On his situation with The Clipse, which is rumored to be on the rocks:

"All is good, we're family."

One thing that surprised me was his answer when asked if he was disappointed with the reception of his solo album:

"In hindsight, I realised that it should have been a compilation with a bunch of artists, rather than just me. Once I did a couple of shows I was like 'Uh-uh, this ain't working.' So I let it go. The energy just wasn't right."

He also touches on CRS. Check it out here.

Star Trak's Last Hope?

Star Trak Records at one time seemed more like a family of artists who all seemed to be on the same wave length, always performing together and working together and churning out some of the best Neptunes production to this date.

Kelis, The Clipse, The Neptunes and N*E*R*D were all in full swing, all still somewhat new, and touring like crazy.

But now that Star Trak roster has been seriously decimated. The now veteran acts I spoke of above are all on separate labels and hardly work with each other anymore.

Kelis futuristic sound has been traded in for a smoother, more refined and traditional approach to singing by Robin Thicke.

The Clipse's grimy yet witty coke raps have been replaced by newcomer Charles Hamilton's more playful and carefree rhymes.

And peripheral yet vital Star Trak affiliate Roscoe P. Coldchain devoting more time to staying out of jail than staying in the studio, it would seem the last of the originals are Chad and Pharrell, and Shay.

But what about Fam-Lay, Norfolk's finest who we first heard on The Clipse's debut album in 2002? Let's not forget about Fam, who has been putting in work over the last year releasing a mixtape as well as leaking a number of tracks to the internet for his hungry fans to grab up.

His style is decidedly country but with a hustler's mentality. Not exactly the most original approach, but considering who introduced him to the masses, I guess it's only right that he's guilty by association.

Here are a few of his outstanding tracks, in no particular order, that need more recognition:

No Time For No's Feat. Pharrell & The Clipse: This beat is crazy with Neptunes sounds galore and a sick bassline, but Malice gets takes the crown as he goes on about how he's so busy and important that he just doesn't have any time in his life for a woman that will tell him "no" in any capacity. He starts his verse off by singing the first couple of bars:

"I just wanna have relations...
Without complications...
With no expectations...
Strictly for sport b*tch,
But this ain't no court, b*tch!
More like Courtyard Marriot.
Oh, the canary rock?
Well that's the worm on the fish hook.
Soon as the bitch look, the b*tch hooked.
Accurate description, it's like fishin'."

This song is going on two years old now and it would have rocked from the clubs to the jeeps with ease.

I'm told to be on the lookout for Fam's new mixtape, tentatively called The Dirty Way.

Da Beeper Song Feat. Pharrell: This one sounds like something straight out of Slim Thug's vault of Neptunes beats. Fresh organs with a deep 808 over a bouncy beat. Another slept-on gem. No real quotables here but Fam steps his style game up and flips and ill flow throughout the song that's worth noting.

Fresh n' Drivin' Feat. Pharrell: Noticing a trend here? Yep, it would seem that Fam can't make a hot song without Skateboard P. But to Fam's credit, he is not the only artist to fall under that category. This song is heavy on the Neptunes synths and comes off as a cool summer song, and while some might say Pharrell wails on the hook, others with trained ears will admit that his wailing complements the song perfectly and was just what it needed to be complete. Anyone would have sounded dope on this song, so of course Fam shines.


Recently Fam seems to have gone in a different direction musically with the release of his latest single, "War Music," on which he just can't find the beat, so he comes off as a bit rhythmless. To his credit, the beat is wack anyway, but Fam still has some decent rhymes and you can see his growth as an emcee.

Now is the time for Pharrell and Chad to step in and bless this man with beats and cash in on his talent while the southern rap market is still lucrative. Fam opened up for N*E*R*D when I saw them about 3 years ago and he had a Lil Jon song and everything, and even that never got released!

This can probably be attributed to record label drama, as he was signed to Def Jam a few years ago, so, sadly enough, I expect him to languish in Joe Budden obscurity for the remainder of his rap career. I hope he proves me wrong, though.

Here are two other random but decent Neptunes-produced Fam-Lay tracks:

Head Bussa Feat. Pharrell
Git Busy (B Side of Fresh n' Drivin)

Heartbeat: Madonna vs. Pharrell & Nicole S

So it seems my secret Neptunes sources have blessed me with an alternate version of a Neptunes-produced track called "Heartbeat" from Madonna's new album Hard Candy.

The new version features Pharrell singing in an alarmingly extra high falsetto with the beautiful Nicole Scherzinger providing the backup vocals.

Both versions share the same lyrics.

I prefer the version with Pharrell and Nicole S just because the music, while very similar to Madonna's version, has much less of that European dance music feel to it that all but consumes Hard Candy.

I wonder how many more random Neptunes demo tracks are lying around the Star Trak studio with gems on them like this, the Res joint and the Latrelle song...

Which one is better? You be the judge.

Madonna - Heartbeat
Pharrell Williams feat. Nicole S - Heartbeat

Another Neptunes Reference Track

My trusty sources have uncovered a demo track of Justin Timberlake's very Stevie Wonder-sounding song "Nothin' Else," performed by R&B singer and former Star Trak affiliate Latrelle.

I had never heard this before but apparently it was ripped from Justin's DVD "The Making of Justified" where Pharrell has Latrelle demonstrate for Justin just how the song should be sung.

I kind of like the Latrelle version better than Justin's just because normally I prefer to hear women sing, but also because the music is a bit more raw with various Neptunes sounds here and there that cannot be found on Justin's album version.

And of course no Neptunes demo track would be complete without hearing a frantic Pharrell in the background ranting and raving about how incredible the song sounds.

Latrelle's album, Dirty Girl, Wrong Girl, Bad Girl, was schedule to be released on Artista in April of 2002 but got shelved because of contract issues as well as the fact that her entire album leaked online well in advance of the release date.

Latrelle - Nothin' Else (Justified Demo)

Latrelle - Dirty Girl, Wrong Girl, Bad Girl LP

Res Sings for N*E*R*D?

I've seen Res perform live and I've even enjoyed a few of her songs, including what she's done with her group with Talib Kweli, but I have a new found respect for her after hearing her version of the upcoming N*E*R*D song "You Know What".

I heard the N*E*R*D snippet already but it got cut off like 10 seconds into the track, so imagine my delight when I stumbled upon this gem that just recently leaked to the Web.

No doubt Pharrell murders this on his own but it's kind of nice to hear other artists that aren't normally associated with the Neptunes featured on a N*E*R*D track.

I can't stop playing this song! Enjoy.

Res -You Know What (Reference Track)

"I touch the masses like a Catholic"

Common - Universal Mind Control Feat. Pharrell (Prod. Neptunes)

While I've heard plenty of moans and groans regarding Common's recent announcement that his new, upcoming album "Invincible Summer" would be void of Kanye beats (and executive producing role) and replaced mostly with the Neptunes' sound(s), this song right here is every indication that there need be no more worrying.

Skateboard and Chad Chase go all the way in (pause) on this nostalgic yet futuristic track, a very fresh and updated version of an Afrika Bambataa classic. And Common sounds right at home on this beat, weaving in and out of every line with gems like "Charismatic, Asiatic, I hustle for mathematics, Camera’s action change the status, Actor tappin your favorite actress".

The streets and backpackers alike may shun this record's sound, but Com is a rapper first and foremost, and I can't remember the last time he let us down in the lyrics department. Dude can still rhyme with the best of them, and he's always got something to say, even when he's sweating himself like on this song. I expect good things from this album.