Top 10 Hip Hop Albums

Ok my birthday is coming up on the 24th (#33), but since MTV recently put up their list of top 10 Hip Hop Albums I thought I would do mine. Note they are in no particular order (Oh yeah, I'll put up the reviews for Mary's, Jamie Foxx's and the new B.I.G. album pretty soon). Speaking of B.I.G.

Life After Death - Notorious B.I.G. (Ready to Die though was raw)
Straight Outta Compton - N.W.A. (EFIL4ZAGGIN didn't make it only cuz Cube wasn't on it)
The Chronic - Dr. Dre
It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold us Back - Public Enemy
Illmatic - Nas
Blueprint - Jay-Z (But Reasonable Doubt and The Black Album are close)
The Low End Theory - A Tribe Called Quest
DMX - It's Dark and Hell Is Hot
Boogie Down Productions - Criminal Minded
2Pac - All Eyez on Me (Picture me Rollin....)

Now I could have gone on - Eminem, Eric B & Rakim, Chronic 2001, Doggystyle, Only Built for Cuban Linx, and probably a couple of others I can't think of.... but hey I said 10

King Kong

Went to see King Kong last night.....it was okay wasn't a bad movie at all, although you pretty much know the story (and might know what some people consider racial overtones), but it wasn't a abd movie. The CGI was excellent, and Peter Jackson threw in enough creepy creatures to definitely keep you jumping throughout. It starts a little slowly, especially for the ADD Generation Xer's but it picks up steam when they get to Skull Island. It's not a bad movie to catch for a matinee sometime.

Unfresh

Ya'll know I really never cared for Dame anyway.......

Lyfe Show with Vivian Green and Goapele

Yeah yeah, I went to another concert at the House of Blues (which I think is still my favorite place to see a show)- Herm keeps dragging me to them - what am I supposed to do? This time it was the Lyfe Tour - starring Lyfe Jennings, and be brought Goapele and Vivan Green with him. Goapele opened and she was great, she has a beautofil voice and it doesn't hurt that she's fine!! Why she doesn't get more publicity I do not know. Maybe she could use better production. She closed her set with one of my favorite songs "Closer". She has a new album called "Change It All" coming out December 27. You should check it out. I've seen Vivian Green before also, she once opened for Maxwell and another time for Musiq Soulchild, again I wonder why she doesn't get more publicity, maybe she needs to change labels or something, but this girl can sing flat out. She opened with her most known song "Emotional Rollercoaster" from her first album, but I have the second one and its pretty good too. She only sang for it seemed like 10 minutes, way too short for someone with a voice like hers. Her sophomore set is called "Vivan". Headlining the show was Lyfe Jennings and he was pretty good, (not as much eye candy as the first two of course) but he gave the crowd alot of energy. I would like to see him and The Game hook up and do some things, their styles could work together. I think "Cry" was the best song he did of the night. All in all it was a good show. A little long or maybe it just started too late.

Aerosmith/Lenny Kravitz

Went see Lenny Kravitz and Aerosmith yesterday at the Wollstein Center at CSU and it was a nice show. I really went to see Lenny (I only know about 4 Aerosmith songs) but was really impressed by Aeromsith's show. I have no idea how Steven Tyler can continually scream like that!!

Venus and Serena @ the Q

Went to see Venus and Serena in their exhibition tour at the Q last Thursday and it as pretty nice. I mean like I was paying attention to the tennis!!! Anyway it was more like some kind of show, first their sister did her best Beyonce impression (which wasn't a very good one), then Brian McKnight came out and did the National Anthem and sang Anytime (how far has his career taken a dive?), and then my favorite jazz musician Mike Phillips came out and did his thing to get the crowd warmed up. While the tennis wasn't the best - Serena looked like she was halfway playing, and neither of them had their normal velocity, it wasn't a bad way to spend an evening.

Hip Hop DX's Turkey Awards

One of my favorite hip-hop sites Hip Hop DX has released their 1st Annual Turkey Awards, I can't say I agree with everything they say but....check it out here .

Ipod Djing

Keeping you up on all things related to IPOD and Djing A story from Yahoo News

Rent - The Movie

Okay - I went to see Rent a couple of days ago and I thought it was excellent although not quite as good as the Broadway show (how could it be?) , having most of the original cast in it made up for that. Some of the songs were cut out and some were cut off but all in all its worth seeing. But I suggest next time you are in NY stop in and see it on Broadway or at least check out the travelling show when it comes to your town!! It was funny to hear all of the Rent fans singing along to their favorite tunes throughout the show. I'd imagine at some the whole audience is singing along....

Album Review: Floetry - Flo'Ology

Finally got a chance to listen to the new Floetry album - Flo'Ology and I liked it. I heard them perform a few tracks from the album when they were on tour with the Roots this spring, and the album definitely shows alot of maturity from their first release which was a little slept on. But my favorite tracks are Feelings and Lay Down - but the whole album has a cool vibe. My pick: Buy it



Also - I'm tired of artists releasing an album then a few months later re-releasing it - that's crap (Usher, 50, Mariah) if you wanted to do something neat - only release the songs on Itunes or reward the people who bought your album early on with a password to access your website so they can download the remixes and extra songs when they come out. You are not getting any more of my money twice. At least with 50 he released a whole DVD worth of videos.

Eric Lewis Trio

Had a chance to check out some excellent jazz last night at Nighttown in Cleveland Heights, a young guy named Eric Lewis and his trio performed. Eric was formerly the pianist for Wynton Marsalis and went solo. An excellent decision. Hearing him and watching him perform was truly amazing. There wasn't alot of people there but those that were in attendance definitely got a show worth their money. If he is ever in your neck of the woods check him out. Or check him out online at http://ericlewisgroove.com You really have to see him live, if nothing else but to watch his facial expressions when he plays.

Touch the Sky Tour

Sorry I haven't been posting too much (moving has been a real pain). But I got a chance to check out the Touch the Sky this weekend, with Kanye West, Fantasia, and Keyshia Cole. When I bought the tickets Common was supposed to be a part of the show - but he is shooting a movie somewhere and couldn't be a part of it. I was supposed to go with a female friend of mine but the day of the Keyshia Cole is fine and she has a great voice - my girl Mo will get mad at me for saying so but she did a rendition of "I'm going down" and sounded better than the reigning Queen Ms. Blige (sorry Nish but she did). Fantasia had a nice little set and had on these sweet thigh high boots (although she had on some like skin-tight shorts with them - don't know how I feel about those). Kanye put on a nice show - no hype man - all kinds of effects, and I loved the way he would play the song he sampled the music from - like Ray Charle's "I got a woman" before he went into Gold Digger. He worked the stage pretty well and he must be exhausted after his stage show. He must have learned a few tricks on stage presentation from his tour with Usher, although his mentor Jay has been leaning towards more theatrics in his past few tours.

Alicia Keys - Unplugged

This is a great album., I love Alicia Keys and in this album you really get a feel for her and what she's about as a musician, I will have to give it 3 1/2 out of 4.

Federal Case against the Inc.

Not that I'm a particular Ja Rule fan, in fact he rather annoys me. But I hate to see another rap label go down. And you wonder if any of this is going to reflect upon Def Jam and its new president S. Carter. But here is the case vs. The Inc. (formerly Murder Inc.) from Allhiphop.com including the label's tracking of 50 Cent. Article

If you like hotmail....

over gmail and yahoo mail, its not that I do, hotmail was just my first web based mail client here is an interesting preview of what's coming with the upgrade Kahuna Preview

Music Company Greed

Ok, I'm convinced that music companies all over the world are just greedy. Not only are companies trying to raise the price of ITunes songs (although they don't regulate how much a CD costs at Best Buy do they?), and are trying to get a piece of revenue from Apple for Ipod sales. Now they are trying to create an IPOD tax. I know this is in Japan but really how long do you think it would take for the idea to come over here? Don't they realize that music company greed is THE main reason people download songs?

Article Link

50 Cent Concert Review

Yes I went to another concert last nite, Mike Jones, Ciara, Lil Jon, Ludacris, and 50 Cent/G-Unit. It was an ok show. Went a little long, although the concert started pretty much on time and moved nicely between sets. Well its not like they really had sets. Mike Jones just had a bunch of his boys with him. Ciara had a stage and did a Rhythm Nation thing to start out with. I halfway expected her to do some kind of tribute. For someone who really just yells most of the time - Lil Jon got the crowd crunked up. I consider Ludacris one of the most talented rappers out there - but his stage show could use some work, it was pretty boring. 50 and the G-Unit obviously had the best stage show except they had this annoying cocking sound and gunfire throughout the whole thing, and it really got aggravating after awhile. There were also commercials for the 50 Empire- the movie, the shoes, the video game, Yayo and Olivia. But the G-Unit did put on a good show - but one has to wonder if Game (who 50 took a couple of shots a during the show) was there how it would have been, Banks and Buck are okay, Yayo - well, but the chemistry Game and 50 had on the mic....to bad it couldn't be duplicated in real life. Oh yeah and what's up with the G-Unit bringing out Mase sporting a G-Unit chain? Is 50 signing everyone!!!!! I didn't even mention Mobb Deep(who didn't 50 take a shot at them on Piggy Bank?) and MOP.

Destiny's Child Concert

Went to the Destiny's Child Concert last nite. I have never been a big Destiny's Child fan (Although I am a HUGE Beyonce fan). Their concert was ok, quite honestly the ladies looked a little tired. They did a bunch of their old stuff - which kind of revealed how bubble-gum it really was. Even the stuff they have released off the new album - Soldier, Lose My Breath....Honestly the highlight was Beyonce's individual sets, especially when she did Dangerously in Love 2, a personal favorite of man. But honestly I really wasn't that impressed.

Roadcasting

In the next couple of weeks, I'm going to be launching my own podcast. As much as I love music you knew it was coming sooner or later right? It will be a mix of hip-hop, r&b/soul, jazz, with a little rock and gospel thrown in. But in the meantime there is something new on the horizon called roadcasting. It sounds pretty interesting and was developed by some people at Carnegie Mellon. Basically it allows you to bradcast a signal to wireless devices within a 30 mile radius.......this sounds like it could be big.

Shaq's New Contract

Ok, Let me get this straight. Shaq wants LA to give him a $30+ contract extension. The Lakers don't want to tie that much money up in a guy who never shows up to camp in shape. So he forces a trade to Miami (and of course gets Kobe blamed for the whole mess). Then goes to Miami and takes a $10 million a year pay cut? Ummm why did he never think of this when he played with LA - so instead of just him and Kobe, maybe some legitimate players could have been put in around them. Oh yeah - and Miami takes that money and trades for Antoine Walker? The guy who hates being a 3rd option on any team. This will go over really well. Although I like the moves the Cavs made, resigning Z, getting Marshall and Hughes. Hopefully now they can sign Damon Jones to help open the defense up even more.

Caribana 2005

Went up to Caribana this past weekend. Had a pretty nice time, went to some ok parties, met some pretty ok people. The parade was fun, although I didn't get a chance to make it to the island on Sunday. But no complaints at all.

Common, John Legend, De La Soul @ HOB

Went to check out De La Soul, John Legend, and Comm at the HOB Monday night. Great show is all I can say. De La did alot of old school stuff Buddy, Me Myself and I, Potholes in My Lawn, Ooooh- but they still can work a crowd, I loved it when they brought out Dres from the Black Sheep and he performed Flava of the Month and he got the crowd amped up when he did The Choice is Yours (engine engine number 9 on the new your transit line, if that train jumps of the track pick it up pick it up!!), then Rahzel, the beat box man performed for awhile, next Common came and did his thing, I had heard about Common's live show being like that - and he lived up to the billing. He did alot of cuts from the new album including my three favorites - Go, Testify, and Faithful and then he went back and did some older stuff of course including one of the greatest hip-hop joints ever I used to love H.E.R. and then mixed it up with his verse from his and Erykah's joint "love of my life", before flippin into a freestyle over Electric Relaxation. Comm might have just propelled himself into a tie with Game for being my favorite MC of the moment. But Comm is an MC in every sense of the word. Ummmm I left during John Legend's part of the show - No disrespect but I'd seen him perform before with Alicia Keys and after he performed "she don't have to know" my fav it was time for me to go.

Tony Rock @ the Improv

Me and the Curvy one went down to the Improv the other day and saw Tony Rock. I watched him on All of Us, but I had no idea he was so funny in person. I don't think I stopped laughing the whole time. Considering the pressure he has to deal with being the younger brother of Chris, I think the man did his thing, and he was funny, and intelligently funny. So check him out if you get the chance!!!

Angie Stone Concert Review

Went to see Angie Stone in concert last night. Man she is an incredible performer!!! I love having concerts here at the House of Blues, although I kind of feel bad that its presence has affected other venues like the Agora and the Odeon. But it is a great place to see a show and Angie did her thing. She was casual - did half of her show in her bare feet but it didn't matter to me, because she has a beautifully strong voice and she blows you away with it.

Fantasic Four Review

Went to see Fantasic Four today. I thought it was pretty good. It wasn't Spiderman which is probably the best of the Marvel comic-to-movies but it wasn't the worst (that would be Daredevil followed closely by Elektra - Daredevil is only worst because of Ben Affleck). Buton a scale of 1-4 I would give it a 3. I guess I could come up with some kind of slick rating system....hmmm I will have to think of that. But the movie was pretty good. The only problem was as it always is with the first in a superhero movie, you have to get into the background of the characters and how they became that way, so its almost like you are trying to force too much into a 2 hour time span. Also there isn't a whole lot of time for character development, so you don't get into Reed and Sue's relationship or why Johnny is a jerk, or Ben and his girlfriend. They are just kind of let out there with no real story behind them. Besides the fact I was never the biggest Fantastic 4 fan anyway. But I would say 3 stars, its worth seeing.

Batman Begins Review

Yeah I know this one is a little late, but I finally made time to go see Batman Begins, and although I wasn't orginally sold as Christian Bale being Batman, I thought he was great in the role. Not as cartoony as the last Batman, and not as dark as Burton's but I thought it was great. Michael Caine stole the show as Alfred though, what a great casting call. Although I really hope they don't try to make another one with the Joker, because Jack Nicholson was great ("wait till they get a load o' me")

What CD am I listening to right now? Common's Be. This is by far Common's best CD. Lyrically Common is always sharp but this time the production is top notch. Although I think Kanye production is a little overrated (that is besides the Blueprint album) here it is truly great and finally Com gets a chance to shine. 

Great Day

Today is truly a great day - Not only does the Special Edition Casino DVD come out in stores, but Phil Jackson has returned to the Lakers!!! Hopefully this time he and #8 can get along. $10 million a year is a hefty price tag but hopefully Kobe and Lamar can run the triangle the same way MJ and Scottie used to. Maybe its wishful thinking but one of my favorite pro teams has to be a winner and the Cowboys and Indians (how quaint) don't look like they'll be doing any serious improving anytime soon.

More pics from graduation day 

NBA Finals

Ok yes I wanted the Heat to lose only because Shaq left LA. But it would have been great to see Zo get a chance to play for a championship. He's always been a class guy in the league and it would have been nice for him to get a shot. But it still remains Kobe hasn't won a title without Shaq and Shaq hasn't won one without Kobe. (But Dwayne Wade is a GREAT player). Now we will just have to wait to watch the Spurs beat the Pistons (you really didn't think I could be a Pistons fan right? I still haven't gotten over them beating the Lakers in 89!!!!)

Roots Concert Review

Last night went to see the Roots and Floetry at the House of Blues - it was an excellent show - especially considering the price of the show!!! But to truly appreciate the Roots you have to see them perform live, their CD's actually don't do them justice, and Thought has to be one of the most underappreciated MC's in the game. Check 'em out if you get the chance...

Star Wars Review

Ok anyone who knows me knows I had to go see Star Wars:Revenge of the Sith and I personally thought it was pretty good. I mean yes you already know that Anakin becomes Darth Vader (the greatest villian of all-time) but I thought it told the story well. Although some parts may have seemed a bit rushed, I thought it was really good. One other thing with all the political contoversy surrounding the film from conservatives, GET OVER IT!!! If I had not read any previous reviews I would have not paid attention to them. Anyone catching those must be extra sensitive on the subject......hmmmmm I wonder why that is!!!

Me and one of my best friends Mario on grad day

Jacinda, Jarett, Me, and Angela at my graduation 

Me and the Humbert side of the house at my graduation 

Here's a pic of Me and Nisha from her going away party

Here's a pic from Casino night with me and Ms. Rivers....