99 Problems

This is dope. Let me first admit, I was on the Nas side of the beef with Jay-Z. Although, I like Jay-Z, I think Nas is killing him on the basis of lyrical and substanceful music. I wish I could see how Jay would've turned out had he not decided to go commercial like he admitted on "Moment of Clarity". But the man's exponential explosion of wealth, power, and influence while avoiding hurtful stereotypes is remarkable. This guy has catapulted through every glass ceiling that a drug dealer turned rapper turned businessman would ever face. He got the Nets moved to Brooklyn, he's a half billionaire (plus another quarter bil from his lady), and he's got Obama brushing his shoulders off in pictures and this t-shirt is an amazing capstone to the election that just ended. I respect his hustle and business saavy. He's set the sky as the limit for musicians turned businessmen. Can't lie, he's living the American dream. I salute you sir.

The State of Hip Hop: Part 4, The South...and Drake

Like it or not, the South has risen faster in today's hip hop landscape than any other region. Now, as lot has been a lot of snap music/gimmicky dances/trap music with shabby lyrics that has gotten undue glory; this has been met with due criticism from all over. But there are bright spots - both new and established - who naysayers tend to sweep over in this whole "niggas from the South can't rhyme" bullshit that gets thrown at Southern rappers. They acting like the North never had any whack rappers get buzz (Tony Yayo anyone? Remember Jim Jones "Ballin"? Freeway with the whining voice?). This is my home and I'm gonna promote those brights spots dammit. So before u try to right the south off, read this...

Attention please, J. Cole (pictured on piano above) has arrived folks. I’m a fan. After about 2 years of impressive mixtape material, his album “Cole World: Sideline Story” delivers potent lyricism and storytelling over laid back beats; he produced about 90% of the album too. For all the doubters, listen to "Breakdown" and "Lost Ones" and tell me he can't lay out a story. Rather than tales of fortunes selling dope, he’s telling tales of uncomfortable abortion disputes, drug addiction in his family, everyday relationship issues, a rise in rap after failed hoop dreams, and hoping to motivate more hood cats to get to college. He incorporates just enough flossing to keep the radio fan base happy; which keeps his mentor Jay-Z happy. He’s representing NC real well right now.

2. 2. Although I liked them better together, NC natives and Former Little Brother group mates Phonte and super producer 9^th Wonder are oozing with hip hop tailored to the everyday man. Both just released quality albums, and the multi-talented Phonte’s other group The Foreign Exchange delivers relaxing but soulful music. Not to be forgotten, LB’s other former MC Big Pooh should be dropping an album too. If u didn't know, now u know.

3. 3. ATL’s dominance over South Hip Hop seems to be fading a bit. My favorite group ever OutKast (Fucking right, I said it) has broken up and neither seems overly pressed to put out their own music but they're still lighting fires to features on others’ songs. Ludacris had been putting out grown up music with content (once you get past the obligatory radio singles), but his interests seem more in making movies. T.I. has put his hard lessons learned into deeper music, but he can’t seem to stay out of prison long enough to stay in the studio and produce. Luckily, B.O.B. has come into the game addressing messages the average rapper won’t touch – the invention of AIDS, paranoia of a Vietnam soldier about what his lady is doing, etc – in his own unique style. In a few years, he may be holding the city in his hands as far as serious hip hop. There are a million substanceless club rappers thriving – Waka, Roscoe, Gucci, Soulja Boi, etc – but they’re not capturing my attention outside of a party atmosphere where I need a lady in my ‘kitchen’ grinding on me.

4. 3. Now that I think about it, Houston may be in the same predicament as Atlanta as far as losing its influence. Of course the elder statesmen Scarface and Bun B are still holding it down when they want to come out; but they been in the game since the ‘80s. The SwishaHouse team – Mike Jones, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Chamillionaire – has gone largely silent and none of them were ever overly lyrical to begin with. I never liked Lil Flip and was happy to see T.I. dismiss him from rap relevance. Names like Lil Keke still float around, but is a true MC gonna step up and take the torch handoff from ‘Face and Bun? Who knows.

5. 4. I’ve decided that Lil’ Wayne is simply too cocky and too high on a regular basis to link concepts and like he could in his stories ‘Dedication’ mixtape days. He’s still a punchline machine but he leaves each one hanging randomly with no overall context. His verses are like this: “Bullshit, bullshit/ unrelated ill punchline/bullshit, ill punchline/ Weezy [insert word starting with an F] Baby/ catchy hook by Drake/ Young Mula baby.” I’ll give them credit though, Birdman fucked over everyone else on Cash Money and bet the house on Weezy, and now they’re swimming in money and they’ve rebuilt CMB. But rather than just being a hot rapper, Wayne is capable of being much more of a real MC than he is. Next young nigga that tried to put him in the ‘Greatest Ever’ discussion might catch a polite backhand followed by a Marty Jennetty dropkick though.

1. Break from regularly scheduled programming: Neither are from the South but since I just discussed Weezy and the rebuilding of Cash Money (now Young Money Cash Money), I guess this is a good spot to discuss Drake and Nicki Minaj; with their current influence, I can’t leave them out. Drake is more of a tweener rapper-singer sound than an actual MC but he has found a niche in the rap game and is making millions off of it. Although I can’t really assess him on an MC scale at all, he makes good music to ride to in the car and I can’t salt his game. As far as Nicki, she’s also riding a bit of a gimmick and takin the abandoned top female MC spot (vacated by Kim, Foxy, Remy, Digga, etc.). He’s the Barbie character with the funny voices and the plump ass (the scrumptiousness they can create with silicone) who occasionally creates bright moments on the mic. They do what they’re expected to do in their dynamic and make money. I can’t say I’m a huge fan (although I would like a sex tape or some nudity of Nicki to leak), but I won’t hate. Respect.

6. 5. Slack Ass Alert: No will deny Jay Electronica’s is vicious on the mic “eating wack rappers alive, shittin out chains.” That doesn’t change the fact that his lazy ass need to go ahead and put his tremendous skills onto an actual album. The whole ‘next to blow up’ has an expiration date. I had Erykah Badu’s magnificent ass in my bed, I might be prone to keep on stroking too. But his fan base has been waiting too long. Get it done Jay.

7. 6. What A Performance: I'm not even sure what to think of Rick Ross anymore. He should be seen as a study in character personification. He has created a persona and ridden it to the top of the rap game despite constant badgering from people exposing the fraudulence. He represents the lack of authenticity that plagues hip hop now. But I can’t lie, I listen sometimes cuz dude can flow. Maybe the rap game really craves another B.I.G. and his delivery reminds everyone of him; he has even filled that very supersized void as Diddy’s BFF and strip club right hand man.Or maybe White America (who still buys the majority of rap records bought) just don't give a damn about legitimacy. No matter what people say, he’s dropping smooth rhymes and has made that imaginary money he rapped about into tangible bank. BUT, next youngster to tell me he’s as good as Biggy is getting thrown out of a 3^rd story window though; not enough to kill ‘em, but enough that they’ll never blaspheme like that around me again

99.Laughingstock: In the landscape of Southern rap today, I could use this word on so many people. A lot of guys are making a mockery of lyricism for club music. Gucci Mane is an easy target with an ice cream cone tattooed on his cheek. But at least these guys are creating some kind of success. In this kind of landscape where u can sell off gimmick or beats and circumvent lyricism, the true laughingstock would be someone who even stands out as whack amongst the whack rapper; I present OJ Da Juiceman. Not only is he irrelevant, I once saw a freestyle where he was so bad that he made Gucci (part of the same cypher) seem like Cannibus comparatively. It was amazing in its God awful-ness (yea, i made it up to express my distaste). I'd rather listen to a chick throw up a night of margaritas. SMH

89. Dark Horse: Years after David Banner’s buzz ended, Mississippi has a better rapper worth bragging about. Big K.R.I.T. has a laid back but soulful and introspective style that will win him over respect in hip hop circles even if he never makes it commercially. Check out his single “The Vent” from the mixtape “The Return of 4Ever” if you haven’t heard about him yet.

The State of Hip Hop: Part 3, The Northeast

Everyone in the Northeast is insisting that hip hop must be dead. I think some of it is spite because Southern and Midwestern rappers are getting more shine, but it is undeniable that too many whack rappers are getting way too much shine. Why is it easier to find Gucci Mane than Talib Kweli? You shouldn't have to look so hard to find the true MCs that are still around. Thank God we seem to have passed that T-Pain phase, but rap still needs some new lyrical blood; including the region where rap started. The living legends are holding it down but they do it forever. There are rappers on every corner up there but are any of them ready for primetime. Hell, Jay-Z got his own label now and didn't bother with anybody from above the Mason Dixon line. Someone has to step up big reppin' Gotham City and Philly to keep them interested. The game ain't dead, but it definitely needs a vital transplant of innovation; losing the attention and influence of the epicenter of the culture will close the casket quicker.

1. Jay-Z is still Jay-Z; or maybe he’s back to being Shawn Carter. When he can take time from his life as a businessman and mogul to be in the studio, he’s still as smooth as ever with a effortless delivery. However, he’s understandably not hungry as he was in his prime (Understandable, when you’re a half billionaire and your legacy is set). You’ve read earlier what I thought of Watch the Throne when I discussed Kanye. For Shawn, Beyonce’s pregnant, he got a stable of MCs in Roc Nation to manage, and his dream of moving the Nets is becoming a reality; he has more on his mind than making his own music.

2. 2. Nas is still spitting that heat that his faithful loves and the average person just isn’t in an intellectual enough mood to listen to. I still get excited whenever see a new Nas song online. He recently put out a great album with Damian Marley that I don’t believe got nearly as much love as it deserved. I feel like soon enough, he’s going to go on the attack again and produce something else that’s going to tighten as many assholes as his Untitled “Nigger” album did. Let’s hope so.

3. 3.Mos Def and Talib Kweli still eloquently deliver street news. I wish I just heard more of them on a regular basis. “Just Begun” with both of them, J. Cole and Jay Electronica was fire.

4. 4There are older legends still recording such as MF Doom and KRS-One. However, honestly I only take a listen if it’s recommended to me by someone.

5. 5Over in Shaolin, Raekwon put out “Shaolin VS. WuTang” recently which was a very well laid out story-telling album full of features and concepts. Call me old school, but I still love when he and the rest of the Clan, especially Ghostface, hop on a track together. I went crazy when Wu-Tang came and did a concert at Tech while I was in school.

6. 6 Jadakiss is still my dude; unique combination of raspy delivery and street wisdom is rare in the game. The “Last Kiss” was thorough and he’s put a lot of hard-hitting verses on other people’s songs lately. Busta Rhymes is on a mission to display his still remarkable skills to all his doubters on anybody’s song he gets to put 16 bars on lately.

7. 7.15 years or so into making sure Philly’s flame doesn’t go out, The Roots put out another great but underrated album in “How I Get Over.” Black Thought is still potent and Questlove is still a force to be reckoned with.

8. 8.I know DC is borderline geographically, but since my grandparents in PG County are considered Northern in my mind, Wale who lives right around the corner from them also falls in the Northeast. He’s been consistently delivered impressive mixtapes (latest being “Eleven One Eleven Theory”). His album “Attention Deficit” had some jewels on it that didn’t get their due love either. He brought conscious realist rap laced with go-go to the national spotlight and is the mascot for the rap game in the District. Represent.

9. 9.M.I.A.: Somebody put out an APB for Beans. Beanie Sigel was my dude when I wasn’t feeling a lot of other dudes coming out of Philly (Freeway, SMH). But every since deciding to attack Jay-Z for what he sees as disrespect while he was on Roc-A-Fella and locked up, I haven’t heard much of anything from here besides a few features. I hope he gets his focus back. And where the hell is Slaughterhouse's album? Either it hasn't come out or I missed it. When u got 3 legit MCs...and Crooked I, you got serious potential.

10. Laughingstock: I’m gonna ignore ‘close but no cigar’ cats (ex. Papoose, etc), the wack niggas with buzz (ex. Tony Yayo, SMH) and the ‘has beens’ (ex. Ja Rule, Ma$e, etc) and point out the fallen former rap bully. FUCK 50 Cent. This cat went from the most vicious in the game (“Get Rich or Die Trying” album) to crooning with chicks (you gonna ridicule Ja Rule for this and then make “Candy Shop”, “Just A Little Bit”, “Best Friend” and more?) to gimmick tracks saying nothing beyond how rich he is (“I Get Money”, “Baby By Me”). What the fuck happened to you man? How do you look yourself in the mirror Curtis? For someone who guaranteed the death blow to anyone he goes after, do u truly think u're more relevant in the industry right now than The Game or Rick Ross? Stay away, drink your Vitamin Water and count the money it made you. I respect your business saavy, but your services are no longer needed here.

10.Dark Horse: It would be easy to name Meek Millz, Jae Millz, Peedi Peedi (how do you get taken seriously with a name like that?), but I've been hearing about these dudes for years waiting for an album, so I'm going a different direction: East. Dave East was literally just introduced to me a few days ago but his mixtape "American Greed" impressed me; he had concepts and smooth flow. I'd need to hear more before I'd call myself an actual fan, but I'm rooting for him.

The State of Hip Hop: Part 2, The Midwest

I respect most of the artists that have come out of the Midwest, each successful one has usually brought something new and different in their sounds. Some are getting a little long in the touch and others can go missing from time to time; but their titans are still in place for the next little while to come.

1. 1. Even after just 3 albums, Lupe Fiasco is already a legend in my eyes. Even his latest album “Lasers” which he hated because he was forced to make it differently than he wanted it, delivers quite a few tracks that are truly remarkable; it’s just lacking the consistency and cohesion of the first two and has a few overly radio/club tracks for his tastes. This guy’s music can bring the hipsters, hood niggas, skateboarders, revolutionaries, nerds, DJs, and everyone else together. Gotta give his respect , even if you disagree with some of his more controversial opinions (Obama is a terrorist, etc)

2. 2. Kanye is Kanye. He can still make dope beats with or without amazing yet rarely heard samples. He still has rare moments of lyrical brilliance or societal awareness mixed into his cocky brand of having fun in his rhymes. He’s still entertaining and can still put together get collaborations. “Watch the Throne” with Jay should have been epic, instead it turned out to just be a good album that no one will still be bumping next year.

3. 3. Of course, Eminem is still a one of a kind lyrical assassin; but he’s rich enough now that he can disappear whenever he wants. I personally like the introspective and emotional flows; he definitely has had a chaotic enough life story to support such story lines. He also gets credit for starting the process of truly pressing Dre’s resurrection. He’s teamed up with Royce Da 5’9 to from ‘Bad Meets Evil’ which could make some real noise too possibly.

4. 5.1M.I.A.: In my opinion, Common only has two albums which I wish could be permanently stricken from the record: “Electric Circus” and his last album “Universal Mind Control.” After “Electric Circus” he jumped back in the game with the classic “Be.” That being said, I think he owes his faithful a redemptive follow-up to cleanse the bad taste left by “Universal Mind Control.” I know you’re getting older and the movies are more and quicker money, but please don’t leave that as our most recent memory of you. In his defense, he did put out an old school rap sounding joint called “Ghetto Dreams” with Nas, which was tough. Also missing, what happened to Twista?

6.5 Underperforming: A few years ago, I deemed both Kidz in the Hall and The Cool Kids as rap groups that were on the verge of doing big things. They both have style that is a throwback towards more golden hip hop times, which was refreshing even if it might not sell much. But I just haven’t heard much music from them at all. I’m not going say they’re gone, but they gotta earn their way back to that conversation now.

7. 61Laughingstock: Just a few weeks ago, Nelly was the headliner for a show here in KL with a slate of abysmal local acts. Be reminded, Nelly’s first album almost went diamond (10 million), more than pretty much any other hip hop album I remember. Not to say he was ever high on my list, but damn doing cheap shows in Malaysia may be worse than doing club shows in The ‘Lou. Sad.

. 4. 9 Up and coming: Kanye’s Detroit-based G.O.O.D. music newcomer Big Sean has a nice flow to him. Right now it’s still up in the air whether he will go more commercial or turn up his lyrical side. But for a newcomer, he has the talent to do some things.

5

The State of Hip Hop: Part 1, The West Coast

This is part one of what will be a 4 part series on the players in hip hop game by region as of September 2011, as delivered by myself Nigel L. Orr/N.O./Darkness/Orr #2 Nigga. We'll start on the left coast, I'm not sure why a state as big as Cali hasn't produced more good musicians since the heyday of gangsta rap in the early to mid-90s. Oregon...well, I just never really expected anything out of Oregon beyond some decent seasons from the Blazers and Ducks anyway. As far as Washington, Seattle has many enthusiasms, hip hop just doesn't seem to be one of them. It is what it is, let's get to it. The picture below says it all...

Unfortunately, The Game - the current workhorse of the left coast rap game - rose a decade removed from West Coast gangsta rap’s heyday. But he’s still delivering it masterfully if you’re still in the mood for it. Although it’s regrettably that he’s keeping gang culture in the spotlight, the biggest Blood in rap is not only throwing up his signs but telling hood stories too. In 2011, he’s carrying the West Coast on his back. The R.E.D. album is thorough, it's the most lyrical I've ever seen him; it helps to have good features and beats from both Dr. Dre and DJ Premier.

22.. Snoop is playing a whole different kind of ball now. He hasn’t been “Doggystyle” Snoop for a while. He’s a family man and is making music for a much wider audience counting his paper (Katy Perry, etc). Although I’m not buying that kind of music from him, I’m not mad at him. Get ur money and raise them kids.

3. 3. M.I.A.: It's amazing how Dr. Dre is still king of Cali even though he's still got us all waiting. But Eminem seems to have pried him out of the weight room (where he been gettin his Hulk on) and back into the studio to put effort towards making the mythical DETOX album a reality. He’s even made up with The Game and other West Coasters he had tensions with before. I hope he pushes it through and delivers. Furthermore since we're on missing artists, my man Murs has gone silent, he makes that smooth everyday man relatable music too. And Willie Northpole from Arizona showed some promise in spots, but I don't know where he went either.

4. 4. Laughingstock: G-Unit’s West Coast replacement (hell, he might have gotten more than one) for The Game. I’m not even gonna bother looking up their names. Fucking failures.

Coming up next: The Midwest