Change is Often Needed...

"Allow me to reintroduce myself...."

                                                   
                                                                    If I have to tell you who this is, you're losing.                                                        

    So I know I switched the name. I'm still a Brainiac, but there is a renewal that comes with change. The same ideals, beliefs, truths, but with a more appropriate nomenclature. The reason for the switch up...well, I guess I ought to explain.

Weekend Recap - Memorial Day Edition

What's happening, folks? First order of business is to wish all my warriors [US Military] as much respect as possible for going to foreign lands to protect our interests, at home and abroad. I got a whole bunch of enlisted brethren that's strapped up, holding us down and keeping America free. Like anyone else, I have my own opinions on whether the wars we have participated in are just or not, but that has nothing to do with this. We support the home team at all times, even if we don't agree with why they're on the field. So special prayers go out to those out there still in field, or in the office, thanks you for all you do. Because, like Chris Rock said, "I ain't fightin!"

I haven't been on and posting lately because things are happening, vacations are being taken, so on and so forth. Even though I can't qualify a hockey game as a vacation, it got me away from home for a reason besides work, so that's a positive. My Red Wings are doing massive work to a Chicago squad that can't quite keep up. The Tigers are looking good, railing off wins at a pretty surprising rate. And while my Pistons are on the links, Chauncey is still handling business for the Nuggets. Throw in the end of the Premier League and most pro soccer leagues, and here we are. The beginning of summer. Summer always brings changes, good or bad, and this year's change, besides me actually keeping up a workout regime, is my music player of choice. Since I'm not about to drop stupid cash to get an iPod touch, nor an iPod phone, my brother from another TJ hooked me up with a Zune on the cheap. $100 dollars for the best music player I've ever had. One that plays videos. One that shows sweet photos. One that has internet access. And my favorite, the one that DOESN'T need CRAPPY iTunes software.

I'm not going to go into the problems because it is 3am and I won't be able to finish telling you all I hate about iTunes and the problems it gave me before I pass out from exhaustion in front of my television.

What I DO have time for is this. To hit you with some ill music for you to put in your earholes. So what's in the deck? It's summertime, baby. I'm listening to the throwback joint of forever, Summertime by the Fresh Prince aka Will Smith. In fact, it IS summer. Aren't we missing a Will Smith blockbuster?

But on to the music. Remember the video I posted? The first one, the one with LB? I'll give you a hint.

"Just like you can't stop me from rhymin, you can't stop the sun from shinnin...."

It's a bonus on this mixtape I'm hittin ya'll with! Nick Fury, or now, just Nickelus F is hittin us with GO Time!, his new mixtape, and since he's got some real spit when it comes to the rhymes, here's my weekend recommendation. Follow the link to hip hop goodness.

http://www.zshare.net/download/6034689233a05a5b/

No need to thank me. Just your friendly neighborhood hip hop loving super-hero, hookin ya'll up with heat....again.

Hip Hop's Money Problem

I know what the title infers. Hip hop's got a cash problem, but it is not what you think, I promise. This is not about the countless rappers talking expensive watches, cars, planes and exploits with famous women. I could write a book on all the psychological effects and syndromes associated with hip hop infatuation with paper. Nor is this a referendum on the economy or the state of the music industry in the information age.

No folks, this problem is not about the chase of money, but the problem that arises once that rapped-about speculation becomes accumulation. Hip hop has a long standing relationship with rappers detailing riches they don't have. What has happened to our favorite artists once they finally get what they were rapping about? What happens to the hungry for a deal rappers who have honed their skills with the help of top Ramen and the urge for success? Many of these former greats are still putting out music, but the product is significant lessor than when we first heard their work. When one reaches their goal or at least reaches financial security, the music, at least its' quality, comes into question. Is it actually possible for Dr. Dre's soon-to-be [or never] released Detox to reach anywhere near the impact of The Chronic album? Can Method Man recapture the hunger and grim that he displayed on Tical, or are we forever left with 4:21?

While some attribute the fall of these rappers to just becoming wack, I have a different theory. Artists taken before our time never got the chance to "fall off." The Notorious BIG never had a chance to come out with a sorry, pop influenced album. I think we can all agree that Snoop Dogg's "Doggstyle" album is one of the most influential hip hop album ever. The same can not be said about his most recent effort "Ego Trippin'". I don't really want to add Tupac in this discussion because I personally disliked EVERYTHING Suge did to his discography. His hungry was never in question, and you have to be around for your downfall.

The difference can be seen in conversations with hip hop fans, especially when dealing with Jay-Z. Shawn Carter is the posterboy for this theory. A genius level lyricist and mainstay on most hip hop top five ever lists, among most of people's best rappers, there are common arguments on what his best album is. To most hip hop historians and heads, Jay-Z's best work was his first, Reasonable Doubt. While this album didn't sell close to some of his more recent releases, this is his best work. Jay-Z in his most raw form, the concepts and lyrics have been stolen and plagiarized by many a rap artist. Even his creation style has been copied. Every new rapper out claims they don't write their lyrics down.*

*On a completely different tangent, most of these rappers who claim they don't write their rhymes, in fact, need to. Maybe THAT'S why there are so many sucka emcees. And these sucka niggas. I digress.

More than a few regard The Blueprint as Jay-Z's best work. I disagree. I believe it is his second best. In fact, I mold Jay-Z in the mold of rap's Michael Jordan. His career has almost mirrored his Airness', down to the constant retirement talk to the grandeur of each comeback.

Skip to recent events, and Jay-Z, once the most respected emcee in the game has become young rappers object of disrespect. In a battle with Jay, Joe Budden was quoted comparing Jay to Jordan, alluding to the fact that most fans nowadays only remember Jordan from that famous crossover by Allen Iverson. Different and obviously lessor opponents are challenging the thrown. Everyone is trying to hand the King of Hip Hop thrown to undeserving rappers. Nowadays, it's wack to like Jay-Z and what was once taboo now seems to be on everyone's tongue, that Jay-Z is washed up.

To that, I say yes and no. Thus, the theory.

"Success breeds complacency."

Hip hop is an art form that is most cultivated in hunger. Literally and figuratively. All these greats of all time came from extremely humble beginnings, where the lack of anything feeds the aspiration for everything. Wu-Era Method Man was a BEAST on the microphone. The grime of the Wu was the lighting rod for their popularity. The poverty of his position kept the hunger for more sharp. Currently, Method Man has aged and achieved enough success that the hungry, grimy Tical is most likely dead and gone. The same is 100 fold for a rapper of Jay-Z's stature. The success of Rocawear, top positions at companies like Def Jam and LiveNation, even the marriage of mega-star Beyonce has dulled the microphone fiend in Jay-Z. While every rapper claims to have too much money to address up and coming challengers to the thrown, Jay-Z is the only one telling the truth. Carter explained his own transformation best;

"I'm not a businessman, I'm a BUSINESS, man."

The writing on the wall has come for other popular rappers as well. Eminem, who is recent released his Relapse album, is up next. With his long lay off, many hip hoppers are looking to see if the King of Scream is back to his old exploits or if he's just the next in line to make money and fall off. A common sentiment shared by many people I have talked to have said things to me that I put in line with blasphemy. Such as things like, "Lil Wayne is the best rapper alive," or "Rick Ross is the next step up from the Notorious B.I.G." That last one makes me want to punch people. I usually attribute that to people being stupid. Don't get me wrong, I respect the hell out of Wayne. As someone who loves Southern rap, I've been rocking Wayne from "The Block Is Hot," but this is out of the question that he's even close to the best rapper alive. The only thing I'm willing to give Wayne is that he wins the Most Improved Rapper in Hip hop award. His skills have only gotten better [minus points for all the damn autotune]. But to me, he's not even the best rapper in the South [I give Ludacris, Bun B, Andre 3000, Scarface and TI the nod first].

The problem is, no one has come to claim the torch. The older heads give respect to the guys that are out, but even in muted conversations, common comments are that these current players in the game don't compare. One thing that was noticeable before is that there has always been a baton hand off between the eras. The Whodini's gave way to the Run DMC's, who gave way to the Rakim's, who gave way to the Wu Tang's and Biggie Smalls'. Death naturally handed the ball off to Snoop, Jay-Z, and Nas. However, there was always someone to pass the torch to. However, Snoop, Jay and Nas do not have competent replacements yet. Options like the Game, 50, Wayne and Jeezy are leaving a lot to be desired as the next crown holders. I prefer T.I. and Ludacris, but are they even acceptable King Emcee candidates. To illustrate this point further, Diddy said that Wayne reminded him of Biggie. Really? If this is what we are accepting, I'm not gonna be said that my music still falls off a truck, because I am not buying this. And therein lies the problem.

No acceptable alternatives forces these older generation emcees to keep on pushing. I don't blame them. Even while I am coming to terms that Reasonable Doubt 2 will never happen or sadly disappoint, I still want to see it. While Jay-Z on American Gangster wasn't wack, it wasn't up to the standard I had hoped. Method Man, Snoop, Eminem, Nas all have this burden. Great rappers who are still rapping but will never reach the height of their old works. Even while I disliked Method Man's 4:21, it was still among the most hot titles released at the time. Same with American Gangster, Nas' Hip Hop Is Dead, Snoop's Ego Trippin, etc.

There's not a doubt in my mind that there are available emcees to take the thrown. Rappers like Skyzoo, the Slaughterhouse collective, Termanology, Torae just to name a few. The problem is, most of you have probably never heard of them, and they are not the pop song, dance track type. Unfortunately, the mainstream hip hop that used to be classic has become plastic. Hip hop heads are now going elsewhere for real music because the Soulja Boy/Plies/Gucci Mane archetypes aren't cutting it.

So as long as garbage is mass manufactured to hip hop, I hope the Jay-Z's and Nas', the Eminem's and the Method Man's continue dropping albums. Because while they don't meet our sometimes lofty standards, I'll take a half ass Jay-Z cut over whatever new fake trap rapper they try to force feed us.

What's In The Deck? - Tanya Morgan

I usually don't like to do this because....I don't know why. Want some dope rhymes, dope beats, but no unnecessary and untrue dope dealing claims? Well, step right up. I got you all some audible treats, if you so choose to listen. Tanya Morgan is a group from Brooklyn and Cincinnati, consisting of Von Pea, Ilyas and Donwil. They are real hot and if you like dudes with lyrics for days, this is what you need. Trust me. Dig it.

http://rapidshare.com/files/29967693/Tanya_Morgan_-_Moonlighting.rar

Don't Mess With My Momma...I Loves My Momma!

I know some of these posts usually have no grand societal benefit. I'm not changing the world with this blog, just sharing my thoughts and some facts that I've come across. This is one of those times when my purpose is greater than normal. Recently, Mother's Day was celebrated, and not to brag, but I got my momma a diamond necklace. Why? Because, damnit, she deserves it. All mothers deserves it for what they do for us on a daily basis. And coupled with the Kenyon Martin/Mark Cuban spat over words Cuban had with Martin's mother [if you don't know, Cuban called Martin a punk or a thug to Martin's mother the day before Mother's Day], I've decided instead of promote that beef, I would present you all with another list. It's no secret, Black folks, we love our mommas. You are not going to see a lot of Eminem type tantrums about how much he hates his mother from Black folks. And that's great to see. Even though hip hop gets so much flak for being misogynistic, it goes unreported that hip hop loves its' mothers.

Top Ten Hip Hop Songs About Mothers
10. Mommy - Saigon
9. Blueprint [Momma Loves Me] - Jay-Z
8. I Love My Momma - Snoop Dogg
7. Mom Praying - Beanie Sigel f. Scarface
6. Momma - Brand Nubian
5. Momma Can You Hear Me - Talib Kweli
4. I Honor You - Canibus
3. All That I Got Is You - Ghostface Killah
2. Hey Mama - Kanye West
1. Dear Mama - 2Pac

So if you get a chance to appreciate your mom, considering that mine is standing over my shoulder right now, definitely do it. And to all you new mommies, congrats and Happy Mother's Day to all you ladies.

Weekend Recap - Graduation Style

During this time of the year, students are preparing to walk across a stage, receive their college degrees and jump into the real world. So to those new graduates, congrats and good luck! Big shouts to my boy Kev Beverly, good luck, fam! And to all the mommas and grandmommas out there, Happy Mother's Day, you know we love our mommas in the Brainiac Society. On to business.

For the sport-minded, I'm sorry about not commenting on the A-Rod / Man Ram topic, but really, do you need more about things you already know? If you are under 35, chances are, your favorite baseball player was or is a cheater. But baseball is boring, I'd rather see a million homers per game. And to the "what about the kids" nonsense, if your child is dumb enough to do drugs because an athlete does it, then that's natural selection. In nature, dumb animals die. Now that we have gotten past that, on to things of a more important nature.

In my hand, I hold Vibe's "Best Rapper Ever" bracket, a March Madness style tournament to decide the best rapper in history, with every era represented. Now I was going to give you the list, and the bracket, but instead, here's my man Joey Jumpoff, who is unjustly rated as a 32 seed, while wack rappers like Trina, Rick Ross and Plies are equal to or greater than Joe Budden? Brotha, PLEASE. Vibe is out of line. He's correct. It's blasphemy. Project Pat is a 25 seed, while AZ is 30? You know what? Here's the bracket.

http://www.vibe.com/bestrapperever/downloads/BestRapperEver_Brackets.pdf




Sometimes, you just got to let a slow hip hop month be slow. I got a real problem with this.

What's In The Deck? - Busta Rhymes

Since you asked, I'm really bumping this Busta, waiting for his new album, B.O.M.B., to drop in May. Until then, I'm going to keep dropping joints that I'm riding to in the ride, see if it matches your playlist. Until then, respect my conglomerate.

I'm Sorry Kanye...

I'm pretty thankful for the current anonimity of my flagship blog, because if I was a major hip hop site or highly recognized blogista, I'd be getting the umpth degree, featuring a profanity-laden response from a certain Chicago-based hip hop producer.

So before the tantrum, I'd like to send out my utmost apologies to Kanye West. I left him out of my top ten all time hip hop producers, so I'm giving him a special post all to himself. So here it is.

03b - Kanye West [tied with 9th Wonder]. - Being that I get to do this addition after this original post was already published, it gave me time to think where he lands. Given his work on Jay-Z's classic "The Blueprint," he has already earned this spot. However, his total body of work can be summed up in a line from his remix with Beyonce; "Everything I throw up, blow up."

He couldn't be anymore correct. Even with his heavy pop influence, Kanye hasn't been forgotten in the minds of true hip hoppers. Recognized as the new King of The Sample, Kanye has expanded his range to beyond using sampling, with his release of his 4th album, 808's & Heartbreak, but he's on this list for contributions such as "Heart Of The City" and "Takeover," from the Blueprint. Songs like Talib Kweli's "Get By," Common's "The Corner" and "The People," and my personal favorite, "Can't Be Life," featuring Jay-Z and Scarface, show Kanye's skills at dynamic production on a mass scale. With that said, I'm almost embarassed to have forgotten him. He's definitely derseving of this honor.

And here's one of my favorite songs featuring Kanye on the beat, and in this case, even the vocals. Consequence and Kanye, "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly."

Top Ten Hip Hop Producers

I'm supposed to be giving my greatest producers in a list on Facebook because my main black from way back Derrick challenged me to. But since I have a blog, a cool way to present my list, all the while forcing my friends to actually read what I say is excellent because I'm a bit of a loud mouth. But so is every other blogger ever, so no shots fired, it's all good.

I love hip hop music and I take it seriously, I guess. My love for hip hop is serious. But he just dropped a challenge on short notice, and I can't just let anyone put me on the spot. My 10 top producers and why? That's killer. But I'll save the book for later, my response is going to be long enough. On to the rest of the list.

10 Dr. Dre - I have to be honest. Dre gets knocked down because I've been waiting for Detox for YEARS and no reasonable person should have to wait this long for an album that either will never come out or will come out and SUCK massively. That's what my inner-hater is telling me right now. I just thought you should know. However, Andre Young has been supplying heat since I was like 4. 20+ years of fire. Like the Chronic LP. Classic.

09 Deric "D-dot" Angelettie - This one is short, the reason you still like Bad Boy. I love Diddy, but this dude was the music genius behind Bad Boy, and if you still like Bad Boy, he's the actual producer of all the songs you love. He has done beats for Outkast, Salt N Pepa, Mase, the Lox. The list goes on. And if you didn't know by now, he's also the Madd Rapper. T-t-t-t-tell em why you mad son! I know why. He gets no respect, and hopefully, Diddy at least kept him paid while he was supposedly [sigh] stealing money from the rest of his employees.

08 RZA - Um, Wu-Tang Clan...36 Chambers....and a style that you couldn't imitate if you tried. One of my pre-requisites for being on this list is having a unique style. While everyone on this list can be imitated and trust, people have tried, NO one on Earth can bite this Wu Abbott's style. Point blank period and I defy anyone to prove me wrong.

07 DJ Quik - While Dre might be the most famous West Coast producer, DJ Quik is the ultimate West Coast sound provider. Chances are, you love this man's work. Just like number one, he doesn't really live in front of the cameras, but he's crafted heat all the same. The man flat out gets busy.

06 Hi-Tek - One half of Reflection Eternal, Tekzilla provided a return to boom bap during the shiny suit era of hip hop. His style is unique, but keeps the main elements of true school hip hop alive. The creator of the Rawkus era sound, he has already crafted classics, such as Mos Def's Black on Both Sides and a glut of Black Star production. His Hi-Teknology album series also showcases the fire that this man produces.

Here's a sample. The man produces some serious knock, so turn it up!

05 Large Professor - Since some of you aren't quite aware, all you get is a list. Then you judge if he deserves to be on here....Eric B & Rakim. Biz Markie's 'All Samples Cleared'. Pete Rock & CL Smooth's 'Mecca and the Soul Brother'. Nas's 'Illmatic' and 'Stillmatic'. Diamond D's 'Stunts, Blunts & Hip-hop'. Kool G Rap. Big Daddy Kane. A Tribe Called Quest's Midnight Marauders. Rob Swift. The Beastie Boys. Roxanne Shante. Gang Starr. Main Source.

Get the drift? If hip hop does ever die[and it won't], this guy is probably in the will.

04 Erick Sermon - E-Double gets on my list because he's the creator of the Def Squad sound. After holding down classic EPMD production, he moved on to form the group with Keith Murray and Redman. Sermon crafted classics joints like "Whateva Man," "The Most Beautifulist Thing In This World," "4,3,2,1," and my personal favorite, Redman's "Tonight's Da Night." All straight FIRE. I know the boards will be buzzing after this one.

03 9th Wonder - If you don't know who this is by now, then you are missing the link from '94 until now. 9th Wonderful Tunes was the producer portion of Little Brother and is the architect of two underground classics with them. "The Listening" album is a throwback to A Tribe Called Quest's "Midnight Marauders," drawing comparisons with the legendary group, with most of that credit is due to the soul resurrecting sounds of 9th Wonder. And when I listen to his music, the beats leave me nodding yes and no at the same time.

02a Pete Rock - Just his remixes alone puts him in the hall of fame. Soul Brotha Number One has been in the game for eons, making nothing but dopeness and classics. I had a hard time putting PR third, rather than first, because when it comes to dynamic melodies, even number one can't hang with the Chocolate Boy Wonder. So he's tied with the other number two because I just can't decide.

02b DJ Premier - It almost hurts my feelings not to put him number one. And I would. I probably should, because he's my favorite producer when it comes to my favorite type of hip hop. This Houston native is the King of the New York sound. He has set the bar for pure ruggedness, that grimy, project sound. One half of Gang Starr, this man has created classics such as "Ex Girl to Next Girl, "You Know My Steez," plus he's the number one sought after remix producer, at least when it comes to hip hop. He's held down Guru, M.O.P., to Christina Aguilera and Limp Bizkit. And probably top 5 beat of all time....is another blog. Premier is the greatest living producer.

Don't ask me to choose between the two, it has hard enough to choose number one. You wanna know who wins? Judge for yourself. Check this.





01 J Dilla - Your favorite producer's favorite producer. He's the best ever. Point blank period. He came up with fire while dying of Lupus. It's a shame to lose a legend. It's a travesty to lose Dilla. Beyond legend status, he holds the title of God Producer, a spin off of God emcee. And now he holds court with Lord. If heaven is what I think it's like, it has music legends wall to wall, but now it finally has the King of Production. No one flipped samples like this man. No one had a clever understanding of melodies, beat measures, distortions

Stick this in your ear hole and love ever single minute of it, because he did this while dying. And he did it for you. Do not download any of his work. Go buy it. It's worth your money, I promise. While these all aren't my FAVORITE Dilla beats, I love every single one. And I might eventually give you my favorite Dilla beats. Check the page for full track list.

Here's a list of producers I just didn't have room for, but definitely belong here: Beatminerz, Evil Dee, Madlib, Rick Rubin, Organized Noize [I really wanted to include them], Battlecat [West Coast boogie at its' finest], Just Blaze and Lord Finesse [DITC].

Rock The Bells 2009 Line-Up

Guerilla Union/Myspace: Rock The Bells 2009 Lineup Freestyle


So after hearing the line up in a way only true hip hop heads could hear it [shout out to Supernatural], I'm extremely geeked about this year's line-up. The Roots, Raekwon, Nas, Slum Village, Pete Rock....the whole SHOW is full of headline quality real hip hop!! Excited? Yeah, just a little bit. I WILL be live and direct with the video as well. Ask about me, Genius level Brainiac in the building!!

And I'll be going to BOTH Chicago and Detroit shows.

Method Man & Redman - A Yo!

Meth and Red seems to be back on the grind. For real, been waiting for this album since the first one dropped. Blackout 2 coming soon! I might even break my rule and review the album for all ya'll. And yes, I want you to buy it, but they aren't paying me. You need this in your life. Real hip hop by two vets who some of you rookies would call old school, but Red and Mef NEVER fell off. How many rap acts can say that? Not many! The dude on the hook, none other than one of T. dot's finest, Saukrates! Toronto is in the building! For real, one of the coolest cities in the world. If you've never been to Carnivale [Brazil], you are hours away from the next best thing, Caribana!! If you haven't, you have no clue, so do it.

[On a side note, any Canadian Travel Authority wanna send me some ends for that free bit of advertising would be greatly appreciated. And earned...I'm just saying...]

Fusion Unlmtd - The Sun ft. Little Brother, Hall of Fame, and Skillz

So everybody has been getting at me to why don't I particularly write reviews, especially since I post music. My thought process is this; mass media as a whole, our general lifeblood to fund the press owner(s) pockets is to review or post things about or pertaining to products that our advertisers want you to buy. All we have to do is tell you that this has a five-star rating or any other borderline false statement we can think of to promote it. If by chance you see it enough and it gets you, you still have to judge for yourself. I just cut out the middle man, because I want to see you guys succeed. Or did I just overtly ask for someone to pay me to do this? You decide.

Meanwhile, I got some pretty nice tunes that I am blasting hard in the '92 Toyota Camry I'm rocking right now. That's right. It's Little Brother! Gonna be hearing a lot from them if you frequent here. And I hope you do. The Sun...check it!!

UNI - Beautiful Day (Live)

So everyone, I'm finally back from N'awlins, looked good in my tux, killed the dance floor, what else did I need to do? I met new cousins, some Down South and California peoples. Speaking of Cali, me and a fellow groomsman both DJ, so we both know bout these guys. Maybe you don't....UNI. Check the video, a review is coming for the album...and you know I'll hook the link up! Peace.

Murs - Me And This Jawn [Video]

So I'm not quite sure how gentleman like knowing this tidbit is, but the leading lady in THIS jawn is Roxy Reynolds...if you don't know who she is, google her, but not at work, the results won't be cool for the office pool if you're feeling what I'm saying. Off of Murray's major label debut, MURS For President. I got the album, he puts on a live show, what else do you need?

The Knux - Fire [Video]

This jammy jam supreme is Fire from the Knux, a New Orleans bred, L.A. duo Rah Almillo & Krispy Kream. Peep their new joint, turn ya speakers up and put it in the air! Speaking of N.O., I'm bout to board that extra AM joint and head back down South! Home sweet home!