Five Songs...

...for the week. Seeing as a lot of you want a type of order or relevance for these songs, I'm making this week's five all about beats and the songs they were sampled from (For those of you who don't know what sampling is in hiphop, its the practice of cutting up a song from any genre of music and using certain elements to forge a beat) Here goes...

1. "Curve" by Cam'ron. (2009) Original Sample: "For You" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band
2. "I'm Housin" by EPMD (1988) Original Sample: "Rock Steady" by Aretha Franklin
3. "I Can't Go to Sleep" by The Wu-Tang Clan feat. Isaac Hayes. (2000) Original Sample: "Walk on By" by Isaac Hayes
4. "Threat" by Jay-Z (2003) Original Sample: "A Woman's Threat" by R. Kelly
5. "Kiss the Ring" by Raekwon (2009) Original Sample: "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by Elton John
   

Ah, the wonders of sampling...

I dont know how many of you are avid listeners of the Alan Parsons Project, but if you know the song "Let's Talk About Me", then you might enjoy the new Jadakiss/Cam'ron mixtape collaboration titled similarly "Let's Talk About"

Raekwon Coming to the Burgh

Yes, thats right. It seems like this blog is primarily Raekwon and Shyne oriented. But with the former making a new album, and the latter being released from prison after 8 years, theres just a lot of news on them.

Anyhow, Raekwon is visiting Mr Smalls this Sunday (the 13th) and tickets are $20. Opening acts include 90s mainstays Capone and Noreaga, local Pittsburgh boy done good Boaz of the Govament, and Queen Yonasda, who I admit Im not familiar with. Should be a good show.

Shyne Visits Prisons in Belize

After having been deported following his release from prison, Jamal Barrow (Shyne) is reportedly using his free time to visit prisoners in Belize. This is all well and good, but a single or mixtape would be preferable. Either way, I have to give a lot of respect to Shyne. He seems to be taking all these events in stride. I'll keep up as long as the internet does.

Cuban Linx 2 Review

Coming fourteen years after its predecessor, Raekwon's 'Only Built For Cuban Linx..Pt. II' has hit the shelves and has not missed a beat. Though there were two other studio albums in between parts I and II (The Lex Diamond Story and Immobilarity), this album shines, especially at a time when quality hip-hop seems harder to find.

This album is not for everyone. No autotune; no million dollar guest spots from sub-par rapper/producers; no annoying club bangers. This is a Wu-Tang production, plain and simple. Rae sticks to what makes Wu (related) albums classic: quality beats, thought-out verses with multi layered metaphors and rhymes, and the "Wu Gambino" flavor that has become an example for other rappers to follow.

Raekwon has made a living making rhymes sometimes so complicated that you miss what hes saying upon first listen. His extensive use of Staten Island slang combined with crime lingo and his love for everything Polo, Fila, and other brand names from the 90s all come together to make verses so powerful and intricate that the listener hangs on every word. Repeat listens are rewarded with quality lines.

Add this to some top-notch production from veterans like Dr Dre, RZA, and the late, great J Dilla, and what youre left with is an album that plays through 22 tracks, with almost every song leaving you with something to like. I won't lie, a few of the tracks would have probably been better on a mixtape, but overall between the beats, kung-fu samples from movies like John Woo's "The Killer" (classic Wu), and the guest spots from Ghostface, Method Man, and other members of the Wu-Tang Clan, this album will soon find its home in your collection.

Shyne Deported to Belize

It seems to be official. Shyne has been released from jail. And according to this source, he has been denied residency in the U.S. Apparently an appeal from his father could not persuade the governor of New York. Keep posted on whats next for Shyne...

http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/shyne-deported-by-us-immigration-authorities_1120559

Five for the Week

Some old songs this week, that have stood the test of time.

1. The Steve Martin; EPMD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_QwLcjyxr8
2. Platinum Plus; Big L ft. Big Daddy Kane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_6RRbSxul0
3. Pass the Bone; The GZA ft. The RZA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbviQ4lRLhY
4. Steve Biko (Stir It Up); A Tribe Called Quest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZItLBiHG9gc
5. Streets Is Watching; Jay-Z
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH6EHozDSzU

Shyne news

It seems that Shyne's release date of October 6, 2009 has once again faced an unexpected twist. Being a native of Belize (where his father is prime minister), the Brooklyn bred rapper may now be facing deportation. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are holding Shyne in a Western New York facility. Read more...

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1623220/20091006/shyne.jhtml

Heavy Rotation

Five songs for the week:

1. Surgical Gloves; Raekwon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fegOgRYyd2g
2. Duel of the Iron Mic; the GZA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEkcIOlF25Y
3. Triple Up; Cam'ron
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJtBxs834nQ
4. Don't Realize; Beanie Sigel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kkr3YQGU4z4
5. Saturday Night; Ghostface Killah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKzMnp6Wm14

This blog is still in early days. I'll get better with posting videos.

Only Built for Cuban Linx.. Pt. II

This may be the best album I've heard in a year. I saw Wu-tang three years ago in Philadelphia. They were advertising this album everywhere you looked. 36 months later, Cuban Linx 2 is out and it is well worth the wait. Too many producers to even begin to name, but outstanding beats from Alchemist, RZA, Erick Sermon, and Dr. Dre. Only had it for a week, but still listening to it about every day. Full review soon.

Shyne Out October 6

Jamal Barrow, better known as Shyne, seems to be nearing the end of his prison sentence. Arrested eight years ago for his involvement in a club shooting with then-mentor Puff Daddy and Puff Daddy's then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez, Shyne has since severed all ties with former label Bad Boy Records. He's also left us all wondering if he will pick up where he left off, or if he will retire from rapping.

Here's the most recent article I could find.

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1617784/20090806/shyne.jhtml

Also, if you don't already own the self-titled first album, or the sequel Godfather Buried Alive, go get both of them.

Welcome to Lyrical Darts

This is a blog about hip-hop. You'll be able to find out about upcoming shows in and around Pittsburgh, new albums, beefs, label switches, and all sorts of other shit. More to come soon.