OB4CL2 -- Better Than Expected

Let me get this out of the way first -- I'm a Raekwon fan.

Yes, I was guilty of declaring Method Man's superiority over Rae back in 94, ignoring Ghost's formidable abilities that would be showcased on Rae's classic debut one year later.

And even though Meth has made an impressive resurgence as of late; even though Ghost has pretty much held the entire Wu down single-handedly over the past five years or so; even though Rae put out less-than-impressive product over the past decade; despite all of that, Rae is officially back!

The streets were waiting on this album like the legions of Dr. Dre fans are awaiting the ever-delayed release of Detox. And like is expected of Detox, OB4CL2 does not disappoint! At all. I need more time to digest the album before I comment any further, but the below is a video for OB4CL2 album cut New Wu featuring Ghostface aka Mr. Reliable and a show-stealing Method Man spitting crazy with a sick flow.

The Rap Game is Running Out of Names -- The Toven Edition

This is a repeat feature that gets updated seemingly every time a new rapper or so-called Hiphop producer makes his debut on the scene. And that's because every time a new rapper or so-called Hiphop producer comes out, he seemingly ALWAYS has a ridiculous moniker.

Case and point: "producer" Baytoven. I first discovered this interesting, yet far from original-sounding name while perusing one of my favorite music Web sites, where Baytoven was identified as the producer behind a song by Chicago rapper Phil G (another innovative name, huh?).

As if the name Baytoven wasn't terrible enough, I checked out his myspace page and was greeted by a hodgepodge of amateur-sounding beats that only got worse with the addition of some anonymous rapper with no sense of timing.

I gleaned that he is at least from San Francisco -- aka the Bay Area -- so I guess can see where he got his name from. However, I don't think it's a long shot (or a coincidence) to say that Baytoven's name and his music are both weighted down by a clear case of laziness.

First Zaytoven and now this... I would love to hear what classical music enthusiasts think of this recent spate of paying "homage" to Ludwig...

"Notorious" Movie Trailers

Notorious [2009 Movie Preview]
by PeteRock

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

I'm expecting a really great movie. I don't know why, though.

I've seen the other Hiphop movies, and for the most part they've all been lackluster, to put it mildly. Krush Groove and Beat Street are classics regardless of the acting talent, and both installments of Breakin' are still highly revered amongst the culture's purists.

Then we have a whole separate genre of film -- movies starring rappers. And the stars of these movies, with the exception of 2Pac and Ice-T, are more times than not relegated to stereotypical and demaning portrayals of Black life. Belly had its high points, and DMX made some decent action flicks, but the rest of the lot is sheer buffoonery.

But I'm holding out hope for "Notorious," despite these disastrously amateur-looking trailers that have been released to the public. You be the judge.

N*E*R*D & NaS at Smirnoff Global Experience: New York

Last night in NYC NaS & N*E*R*D performed at the Smirnoff Global Experience, which is described on its Web site as being "a global series of events celebrating the brands eclectic taste in music."

I guess I showed up too late since the line was around the block, but video footage of the event has emerged online.

Aside from N*E*R*D reportedly satisfying the crowd with a number of their hits, NaS also rocked the house. But not before responding to the alleged claims of his wife starring in a sex tape (without him) that is currently selling for $150,000.

The event's press conference, as shown in the photo to the left, can be seen in video form here.

Below is footage of all of the above.

Pharrell's "I'm a PC" Commercial

Video: Reks -- Money on the Ave. Featuring Skyzoo

Reks is decent but I predicted a while ago that Skyzoo was the truth and would enjoy much success in the music industry.

Sky has been making more and more guest appearances across the board in preparation for the release of his as yet untitled upcoming album.

The bidding wars among the majors will commence once Sky drops that album.

By the way, like I said, Reks's is decent but his album, "Grey Hairs," released last month, is very good. So good, in fact, that the Boston emcee is reportedly about to release "More Grey Hairs" soon.

NEW MOS DEF!

Just when I was beginning accept the fact that no real, quality Hiphop music would surface in the month of August, here comes an new and unexpected Mos Def song to save us all from a sub par past 30 days.

His new song, called "The Glow," is a chill yet slightly uptempo boom bap banger, complemented with shrill strings and plus piano, and it rocks!

Why can't we have more Hiphop music that sounds like this?

It's just one long verse, but the beat is so inspiring and and Mos sounds so good, so natural on the track.

Scared of what?

Me and Mines ain't scared of much.

We get it down, push high

Keep the standards up.

Hand-to-hand on the mic,

Call it pass the dutch.

Ghetto people

Put your eras, hands and cameras up.

Flash Gordon:

Code name for my dogs that's passed forward.

I make you put the disc on play and repeat

I got the crowd sweating like a pig waving the heat.

And I stay on beat,

And I stay on grind.

From the black spades here

To the project hallways,

Black Star team Kweli Green and Dante.

Code name: All Day

Operation: All Good.

Balance throughout all times

Current status: All Grind.

Clearer than a chalk line

Traced around a cold body.

First text with no copy,

I don't rhyme like nobody.

Rockin' for the dope bodies

Waking up in nowhere.

Trying to get some place

Forward motion unsafe.

This is for the warrior,

This is for the renegade,

This is for the battle cry,

Early morning serenade.

This is for the ghetto block

Where darkness don't never fade.

Where police on the grind

To make the masses separate.

Depression and circumstance

Will make a family separate.

Black beauty in the dance,

Come together, separate.

Hopefully the release of this song is an indication that he has a new album on the way after the debacle with his last album, which was actually very good.

Here is Mos Def at his best, rhyming in the hallway with Kanye. Kanye's rhymes are nice but he keeps on stuttering while Mos's rhymes are just as smooth and fluid as can be.





And here is Mos rhyming in Vegas earlier this month.