30 May 2013

VIDEO: De La Soul - Get Away ft. The Spirit Of Wu-Tang



A few weeks ago De La Soul came out left field and dropped the single Get Away. I first heard it on my way to/from work. The track is sampled from Wu-Tang's classic double CD album Forever  (hence The Spirit Of Wu-Tang in track title). Specifically the Intro track on disc 2, in which the RZA simply talks over the beat in the background. De La decides to grab a few quotes to start the track: 
For the last year there's been a lot of music comin out
The shit been weak, knowhatI'msayin?
A lot of [dudes] trying to take hip-hop
And make that shit R&B, rap and bullshit yaknowhatI'msayin?
Or make that shit funk
Fuck that, this is MCin right here, this is hip-hop
I was confused at first because I didn't know why there would be a remix of an intro. And I definitely thought my car was broke when I read that this was a De La track. But in a year of overproduced (and under produced) singles with the same hip-pop blueprint, this song was a welcome change (yes technically this isn't a "new track" since it's a straight sample..but the way De La made it into an actual song is new). While De La Soul was never a "street" group like the Wu, both crews were always know for strong conscience lyrics. And of course having their own unique styles.

Lyrically the track is solid (it'll take few listens to fully appreciate them). Almost 25 years in the game and it seems like the crew aint miss a beat. The song is simply each emcees pov of the current state of hip-hop. They reminisce over their early days and realize that gimmicks are now the norm. The minimal chorus echos this sentiment: "Go, get away from here." Even though they would be considered the "old heads" in a young mans game, De La makes sure that we know that they can still go toe to toe with the best of them. The video keeps it visually simple, yet contextually complex (just like the lyrics). The crew appears rapping inside of a Rubik's cube which could be viewed as them trying to figure what is going on with the rap game right now. This is just what I saw though, what do uall think?

De La Soul's next studio album You're Welcome is set to drop towards the end of the year. You know we'll be looking for it........


29 May 2013

Andre 3000's mother passes away on his 38th birthday

Andre Benjamin's mother, Sharon Benjamin-Hodo, passed away this past Monday (May, 27th). She was found dead in her Atlanta home with cause of death still unknown.

The BITM crew would like to send our deepest and sincerest condolences to the Benjamin family and all those whose lives his mother touched. Especially for 3 Stacks himself, not just because she was his mother, but because of the unfortunate coincidence that he just turned 38 on the 27th.

22 May 2013

REMIX: Black Hippy - U.O.E.N.O.



Truth be told, this version makes all others obsolete. Black Hippy reunites and rips one of the hottest club bangers out. This remix almost makes you wish Rocko never existed...as a rapper...or as a person. Same goes for Future Fitzgerald and Ricky. 

They released this as a promo for the upcoming good kid m.A.A.d. city tour. For those of you lucky enough to have copped tickets, don't be surprised if the entire crew blesses you with a live performance of their rendition of U.O.E.N.O. at some point, since this shit flames. 

Let us know what you think of this monstrous Black Hippy remix.

Hit us up on twitter 

@BestInTheMix

@TwonJonson





21 May 2013

VIDEO: Loaded Lux - Rite Remix ft. Redman and Method Man



Loaded Lux dropped his highly anticipated video for the track Rite featuring the How High duo Redman and Method Man. Of course I could break down the verses from the vets Red and Meth (and yes..they def bodied the track..so good to see lyrical longevity still alive) but this article is about Mr. Lux.
I'm not gonna front like I've been following the career of the Preacher from day one, I actually first stumbled on a Loaded Lux battle last year vs Calicoe (in his comeback battle after retiring). It was probably one of the most memorable battles in recent memory (from Lux in his trademark suit, to the casket he brought to the stage, to Lux forgetting his lines at the end of round 1 only to go Super Saiyan the rest of the rounds). It is good to see him put tracks together in addition to his legendary freestyles. The track is new take on an old school Harlem street vibe. Along with the video and features..looks like Lux got an early summer anthem on his hands.

Peep a few of his battles:




15 May 2013

VIDEO: Kendrick Lamar - Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe

The video for the song which has indirectly become the anthem for catty women worldwide finally hits the net. As if Kendrick wasn't already dominating 2013 enough, this video (which looks to either be a subliminal diss to the euphoric drug MDMA (Molly), or a shot at Trinidad James who has more than popularized the use of the drug and has seen a meteoric rise to fame off of a mediocre record) will surely solidify Kendrick's spot in the game. What makes me believe this may be a shot at James is because Kendrick briefly takes a light jab at him on the remix to BDKMV. It is also widely known that James undiservingly graced the XXL Freshmen 2013 cover alongside KDot's Black Hippy brethren, and the type of music James represents is exactly what Kendrick attempts to destroy with the line "I'm tryna keep it alive and not compromise the feeling we love / you're tryna keep it deprived and only cosign what radio does."

Other than that, the video plays it safe for the most part. On the surface it's exactly what you would expect, given the title; a group of people turning a seemingly depressing situation into somewhat of a party. 

What do you guys think of the subliminals tossed into this video? What do you feel is the significance of the "Death to Molly" line at the end?

Hit up the BITM crew on twitter and let us know what you think

@BestInTheMix

@TwonJonson



09 May 2013

RANDOM: 90s Mix

I was sitting in my house today and got the strangest feeling…I really started to miss 90s era hip-hop. I mean, I’m *always* wanting that old thing back, but it really hit me hard today. And so I went on the hunt for some mixes. First stop, YouTube. There are many to be found, but this one had the most complete list for what I needed to satisfy my palate…at least for now. From Mobb Deep to M.O.P. to Luniz, this mix is worthy of peepage! #NiftyApproved









08 May 2013

REVIEW: Prisoner of Conscience


Honestly I had some trepidation when I heard Talib Kweli was dropping an LP, mostly because of his single Upper Echelon. The lyrics were OK, but the beat was very distracting. The paring of the “club banger” instrumental with the socially conscience emcee for was a bit off for me. That being said, I know why it was done. This 90s vet knows that a radio track is the best form of pub for the rest of the album. What a relief to find out that he didn't water down his lyrics or features to cater to the new generation of hip-pop listeners. His production selection is on point, from vets like RZA to new super producers like J Cole to monsters like Oh No. His features are also minimal, but carefully selected. And yes, the “less is more” mantra is true in many art forms, hip-hop is no exception.

His “intro” track Human Mic is a masterful juxtaposition of rapid lyrics with a soulful instrumental full of violins. The Blacksmith shows us yet again why he is the epitome of consistent: “Throw it back cognac, I’m the best, you know that/ You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts/ On track as the most prolific ever, the most consistently/ Vicious, New York can rip you, be ripping it like the Shredder.” Talib Kweli asserts his lyrical prowess throughout most of the track, relentlessly attacking the mic: “When it comes to this rhyming, I’m a legend like Tutankhamun/ or the Chupacabra, the way I weave it together and tie the knot up.”

Turnt Up was another surprise track. No features from Wacka Flocka, Soulja Boy or 2 Chainz here, just another old school lamping type instrumental. The beat starts off with a Paid in Full sample, so Talib gives the shout out “You know what’s up with me man, I’m trying to get paid in full.” He continues the homage with his first bars: “Thinking of a master plan, where there’s nothing but cash inside my hand.” While he does spend a few bars talking about cars, cribs and jewels, the lyrics do not suffer from the subject matter. “It’s hard not consuming all the bullshit they feed us/ Intravenous like a cord to the womb from the fetus/ Been hard since I started reading, alliteration is literally littered trough my DNA swimming on through my semen.”

Just in case you were comatose through the first part of the LP, The Blacksmith drops the hardest verse on the 7th track Hold It Now. Starting off with the metaphor “Got a buzz like I’m Georgia Tech,” he continues by letting other emcees know that  “My rep established, I’m rapping just for the sport of it/ Been nice for a whole career, you just barely grasping the thought of it.” He ends the verse with some of the toughest bars I've heard from him in a while: “My rhyme is satisfying your quest for fire like Ray Don/ Chun when I’m forming like Voltron, I’m young Raekwon/ Mix in a bit of KRS-One and Q-Tip/ Rakim, some of that Ice Cube, now who’s this?/ No one as gifted as this, so magnificent/ Classically consistent, I’m nasty as black licorice/ Coldest but I get the room hotter than Bikram Yoga/ Seen the show, you know I make the people move like an eviction notice/ I’m focused, I’m like Moses when the mic is on/ That’s why these rapper scatter like roaches when the light is on.” What more can I say? Fuego.

You know what you are going to get with a Talib release. Lyrically, he is sharper than ever. His poetic catalog is an onslaught of metaphors, alliterations, personifications and rhyme. He can be introspective one minute, and still deliver the braggadocios bars that are commonly associated with hip-hop. None of his albums stay on one subject matter and this is true for Prisoner of Conscience. He has tracks that examine his relationship with a strong female counterpart (Delicate Flowers) as well as a story about a female struggling with a dependent mentality with Hamster Wheel. The track Push Thru is one of his heavier featured songs. Curren$y delivers the first verse which is followed by Talib Kweli and Kendrick Lamar takes the last leg of the song. I am not the biggest Curren$y fan but I do follow this career more than other 2nd tier (or whatever you want to categorize him as) emcees. That being said his verse is solid. And K Dot delivers another strong verse to add under his belt of features (this verse is apparently an old verse, way before most people were on Kendrick like that). Talib has always been known to tackle large social issues within the hip-hop community and beyond. With Prisoner of Conscience he seems to be trying to tackle more intimate themes like the before mentioned tracks Delicate Flower and Hamster Wheel. We still get his upper echelon lyrics and perspective, so I would say that this is a successful attempt to relate to his existing fan base as well as new listeners. Once again quality is delivered (come on BLACKSTAR! hip-hop needs you!).

4 tapes.
Peep album below.





02 May 2013

Former Kris Kross member found dead in ATL

Chris Kelly, also known as Mac Daddy, one half of the 90s super duo Kriss Kross (he was the brown skinned one), passed away Wednesday afternoon. He was found unresponsive in his Atlanta home and died at a local hospital.

Kriss Kross shot to fame in the early nineties after being discovered by Jermaine Dupri in an Atlanta mall. Their first album, "Totally Krossed Out," went multiplatinum in 1992, propelled by the smash single "Jump," which spent eight weeks on the charts, and "Warm It Up," the follow-up single. Their rap style, considered very mature for their age, was seen as skilled and keen, bringing just enough edge to the young rappers without appearing overly gangster. They developed a huge following, partially because of their signature style of dress, in which they wore their clothes, tops and jeans, completely backwards.

Subsequent albums during the latter portion of the nineties failed to be as successful as their debut. They faded into obscurity, going on to other projects and ventures. They did reunite earlier this year for a 20th anniversary party for Jermaine Dupri and So So Def, their former manager, ghostwriter and label.

Chris' cause of death is pending an autopsy, but Atlanta police are stating that personal sources and items found in Chris' home lead to a belief that his death was caused by a drug overdose. A dedication article will be forthcoming in the following days. Rhyme in peace, Chris. I know...you're about to.