Co-founder of the Detroit Trio Slum Village, Baatin has Passed Away... R.I.P.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-14684-HipHop-Music-Examiner~y2009m8d2-Baatin-of-Slum-Village-dead-at-35

 Kinga M. Spanier

Co-founder of the Detroit trio Slum Village, Baatin has passed away. Baatin (Titus Glover) was found dead on the 14000 block of Anglin Street in Detroit. Detroit Police Department spokesman John Roach said Saturday he did not know a cause of death.

Slum Village was founded by Baatin, T3, and the late J Dilla. The original lineup of the group released two albums, 1997's Fan-tas-tic (Vol. 1) and 2000's Fantastic (Vol. 2). 

Rapper/producer J Dilla left the group and was replaced by Elzhi for the groups third release, Trinity (Past, Present, and Future). After the release of Trinity Baatin began to exhibit unusual behavior prompting him to be removed from the group. Baatin was later diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Slum Village recorded two more albums without Baatin--2004's Detroit Deli and 2005's self titled CD. Founding SV member J Dilla requested that Baatin be invited back to the group to record a reunion album. J Dilla passed away in 2006 from Lupus complications, while T3 and Elzhi stayed true to their word and invited Baatin back into the fold.

The group had been performing on the summer's biggest Hip-Hop festival Rock the Bells in preperation for the September 22nd release of their album Villa Manifesto. Just two short weeks ago I spoke to Slum Village at the New York stop on the Rock the Bells tour and Baatin could not contain his excitement about being back with the crew.

"I'm happy to be back," Baatin said. "I just want to apologize for anyone that I hurt, but I'm glad to be back--I'm trying to do better, I'm trying."

"Baatin will be missed," Slum Village's T3 said in a statement. "I'm glad we got a chance to work together before he passed. We lost another Slum soldier, a dear friend and a brother. He touched many lives."

Baatin is survived by his son, Michael Majesty Ellis; his daughter, Aura Grace Glover; his parents, Howard and Alberta Glover, his sister, Eleanor Glover, and two brothers, Richard Riggins and Wendell Scott, all of Detroit.

To assist the family of Baatin visit: http://rensoul.com/2009/08/baatindonations.php

Baatin was an underrated MC with one of the dopest voices in rap history. His style was unique and his flow was original. He will be missed by the Hip-Hop community. R.I.P Baatin.

Warning! This song contains explicit lyrics:  

Author

Sherron Shabazz is an Examiner from the National Edition. You can see Sherron's articles at: "http://www.Examiner.com/x-14684-HipHop-Music-Examiner"

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Black Milk - Tronic: Album Review

Release Date: October 28, 2008
Record Label: Fatbeats
Featured Artists: Dwele, Royce Da 5’9", Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price, DJ Premier, Colin Munroe, Fat Ray, Melanie Rutherford, AB

Review by: Kas

I would best describe Hip Hop as stagnate right now. A whole genre saturated with auto-tuned, alien voiced, sing-song hooks and faux creativity. You can’t even look to your favorite artist to come with anything worth the customary, conformational, Hip Hop head-nod right now. Enter Black Milk’s Tronic to semi-crash this musical strip club year and get up on da main stage to make the people say “yeah!”

The title of the album mos-def describes what you will hear once you press IPod on your IPhone. WARNING: This is not Sound of the City and nowhere near what you heard on Popular Demand. We have taken-off from the skyscrapers of chopped-soul-sample city and landed on a skillfully crafted electronic landscape dotted with lyrical vacation homes. Again… I must reiterate… Sound wise… This is not Sound of the City or Popular Demand. Black has matured as a producer and his sound has progressed to a point where he can soulfully stake his claim to a portion of Hip Hop’s future. Yet at the same time, Tronic is nothing groundbreaking and doesn’t really come with anything to far away from the electronic trend of today’s Hip Hop. When listening to this album, you might think to yourself: “Self… I feel like I have heard this vibe before…” Well, you would be completely within your Hip Hop right to think that maybe J. Dilla (R.I.P.) was looking down over this project. We lost arguably the best Hip Hop producer to ever do it, when Dilla lost his battle with lupus in 2006. But, his impact on Hip Hop lives on through Black Milk and Tronic is a Hip Hop symphonic eulogy in some ways. I have always felt that Black Milk’s production is built from the same frame as Dilla (which he has never denied) and Tronic is a confirmation of this for me. It’s as if he channels Dilla on a few cuts, e.g. Bond 4 Life, Hold It Down, Hell Yeah and Overdose, just to name a few. Though Dilla’s genius will never be duplicated; Black is doing his best to keep that “your favorite producer's, favorite producer” vibe alive and well. Is he the heir? I don’t think so… I believe it is more of him just making good Hip Hop music that we Dilla fans really enjoy.

The futuristic boom-bap beat universe that Milk has constructed is furthermore enhanced with that recognizable, syllable hostage-holding flow we have all become accustomed to coming out the “D.” Detroit is known for their lyrical terrorist, who spit Jihad on Hip Hop for their city and Black brings his vocal bomb laden vest on Tronic. Black Milk is known throughout Hip Hop for his beats, yet I believe he is underrated as an Emcee. Most producers that rhyme in today’s Hip Hop to often come off inexperienced or lazy on the lyrical side. Lyrical laziness has never really been a factor for Black Milk. He proves he is a formidable Emcee on joints like Losing Out, where he is paired with Royce Da 5’9 and The Matrix where he holds his own with Sean Price and Pharoahe Monch.

As you look back on this year in Hip Hop, don’t be so quick to banish 2008 to the auto-tune gamma quadrant of our musical universe. True, good music was hard to locate and didn’t seem to want to make contact with us; if you listened closely, it was still out there. Tronic landed on this planet formally known as Hip Hop in an effort to terraform its martian landscape. Though I’m not sure it fully succeeded, it did make 2008 Hip Hop a little more habitable for me. It was breath of, if not fully fresh air, then 100% oxygen from a rebreather. If you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and go cop this album. It makes a nice addition to any Hip Hoppa’s library.


The highpoints of the album are:

Give The Drummer Sum: The lead single with dope snares, kicks and an ill Quasimoto influenced hook.

Without U (feat. Colin Munroe): Nice commercial sounding record… Feeling the message of the whole song… Munroe comes correct on the hook, as well… Can you say Matthew Santos on Lupe’s Superstar??? Mos def could hear this one on the radio, TRL, 106 & Park… Blah… Blah… I don’t know if it is the indie label thing or whatever… But, I just don’t understand why records like this don’t get shine???

Hell Yeah: Hard Hip Hop record that Black says originally was a remix to Overdose (HipHopDX Interview)... Drum programming is crazy and has an ill horn hit sample throughout the record that sets the vibe for the lyrical onslaught.

Overdose: Banger!! DJ Dez kills the hook with a M.O.P. sample…

Try: Classic Black Milk… It’s the only record where he utilizes those soul samples that he is known for… Dope record.

The Matrix (feat. Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price, & DJ Premier): Another banger! Milk, Price and Premo do their thing and it was really nice to hear Monch finally spit again, instead of all that singing… Yuck!

If I had to say that the album staggers, it would be on one track…. Bounce, but solid word-play makes the record listenable. That’s just my opinion though….

I give Black Milk’s Tronic a 4.5 out of 5

One

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Wazzup 2000 vs. Wazzup 2008

True... True...



Good look Andy... Share

Shorty Lo and TI's camps Rumble at Awards Show

SMH.... Nigga moment

Please Hip Hop... WAKE UP!

Kas

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Shorty Lo and TI's camps Rumble at Awards Show

By Tai Saint Louis

http://www.allhiphop.com/.../2008/11/24/20722485.aspx

Radio One's fourth annual Dirty Awards ended abruptly this evening when two separate altercations erupted reportedly between rapper Shawty Lo and members of the Grand Hustle camp tonight (November 24). An eye witness told AllHipHop.com that the tension between the two crews mounted during Shawty Lo's performance, which included a diss version of Grand Hustle artist Yung LA's song "Ain't I."

As Lo performed his version with a chorus "Don't I," an audience member identified by an eyewitness as Capitol recording artist Alfamega, allegedly threw a chair onto the stage. At that point, witnesses say another artist signed to the T.I.-helmed label stormed the stage, at which point authorities proceeded to break a fight.

T.I. himself took the stage shortly after the fight to accept an award following, a reported private conversation with Shawty-Lo, in which the Grammy Award-winning rapper/actor allegedly insisted once again, that the two end their long-running beef. He proceeded to denounce the violence and negativity and assured the Dirty Awards audience that he did not condone the fighting.

Shortly thereafter, however, a second fight broke out as T.I. performed his verse from "Ain't I," allegedly substituting some lyrics with verbal jabs at Shawty Lo, with whom he has had an unpleasant relationship throughout the year.

Towards the end of the performance, another member of the Grand Hustle camp allegedly jumped off stage and assaulted a man witnesses said was Shawty Lo's brother. Police officers then halted the awards show, using pepper spray to end the fight. While the Dirty Awards audience was immediately evacuated, witnesses say other altercations may have occurred outside of the event. More details as this story develops. Share

President Bush Pardons John Forte

With a new administration about to take over in about a month... Could we finally see the government about to revisit our ridiculous drug mandatory sentencing laws?

Kas

======================================================

President Bush Pardons John Forte

By Charlie Rem

http://www.allhiphop.com/.../2008/11/24/20721874.aspx

President George W. Bush has pardoned rapper John Forte, an affiliate of the Fugees, who has been serving prison time for smuggling drugs, sources told AllHipHop.com.

Forte was one of 14 persons that Bush has pardoned or granted commuted prison sentences.

This wave of White House pardons is Bush's latest, as he has less than two months in his presidency. A pardon cannot be overruled.

Forte was arrested at Newark International Airport in 2000 and charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to distribute. Police caught him accepting a briefcase with about $1.4 million worth of liquid cocaine in it.

Forte was hit with a 14-year sentence in a federal penitentiary under minimum sentencing laws even though it was his first offense and he was a non-violent offender. He began his bid in jail in 2001 and has fought the laws vehemently.

Through the ordeal, he maintained his innocence and turned down a plea deal.


John Forte has released two albums, Poly Sci and I, John.

John found an ally in legendary singer Carly Simon and her son Ben Taylor, both close friends. Forte lived at Simon's estate in Martha's Vineyard for about six weeks in 1999 and even spent the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays with the family. Simon and Taylor have lobbied on Forte's behalf since he was incarcerated.

Much speculation has been made of others Bush may opt to pardon. Most of these involved those that government employees that may have unjustly interrogated suspected terrorists in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.


A pardon of these cases would severely impede president elect Barack Obama from investigating such crimes. Share

KRS-One Rhymes About Obama

You still must learn!!!!!

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Flint rapper MC Breed dies at 36

Just another classic example of why we need universal health care. Dude couldn't even pay his medical bills... SMH! Why should we have to put on benefits and fund raisers for the funds to save a life? A price should never be put on life; but it is everyday in our great country. Things need to change, man...

R.I.P. Mr. Eric Breed

Peace

Kas

=========================================================

Flint rapper MC Breed dies at 36

Adam Graham / Detroit News Pop Music Writer
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081122/ENT04/811220438

Influential Flint rapper MC Breed, who was one of the first Midwest rappers to emerge onto the national hip-hop scene, has died, his manager has confirmed to The Detroit News. Breed was 36.
Breed, who scored a hit with his 1991 lo-fi classic "Ain't No Future in Yo' Frontin'" and later collaborated with a young Tupac Shakur, was found dead on Saturday at a friend's home in Ypsilanti, according to Darryl Morris, Breed's manager. No further details were available as of press time.

Breed, whose given name was Eric Breed, had recently been wrestling with health issues and was admitted to a hospital in his adopted home of Atlanta in September after suffering from kidney failure, according to reports. The rapper was put on life support, according to reports, and had only 30 percent functionality of his kidneys. Plans were put in place to throw a benefit concert for the rapper to raise money for his medical bills, but they were put on hold when his condition seemed to improve.

Breed's biggest hit was "Ain't No Future in Yo' Frontin'," from his 1991 debut album, "MC Breed & D.F.C." The song sampled Zapp's "More Bounce to the Ounce" and the Ohio Players' "Funky Worm" and found Breed not only bragging about his hometown of Flint but also stating his goals for the highest office in the land. "If I was the President, then I would state facts," he rapped, "you leave it up to me, I'll paint the White House black."

Breed bolstered his cred when he collaborated with Shakur on "Gotta Get Mine," the lead single from his third album, 1993's "The New Breed." The song came just as Shakur was just starting to earn his bad-boy-of-rap reputation, and it reached No. 6 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart.

Over the course of his nearly 20-year career, Breed also worked with Too $hort, the D.O.C., Warren G and more. While never achieving full-fledged mainstream success, Breed was respected in hip-hop circles for his work ethic and his lucid, scratchy-voiced flow.
He recorded 13 albums, and released an album a year between 1991 and 2001.His final album, "The New Prescription," was released in 2004.

Detroit rapper Trick Trick says he looked up to MC Breed.
"I salute him for everything he did," Trick said Saturday. "It was good to see him break out of Flint. It gave a lot of us hope, like, 'We can do this, too.'"

Breed's career cooled considerably in recent years, and he spent eight months in prison for a parole violation that was a result of unpaid child support. In April, a Flint judge sentenced him to 60 days in jail as a result of owing more than $200,000 in unpaid child support to three different women.

You can reach Adam Graham at (313) 222-2284, or at agraham@detnews. com.

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Random Thought: Has Boondocks Gone Overboard??????

Random thought time y'all:

Did Anyone see Boondocks last night?? Is it just me or does anyone else feel like Aaron McGruder might have gone a little overboard with this last episode? I’m sayin… It was funny… But, at the same time, I could have been crazy offended… The name of the episode was “Stinkmeaner Strikes Back”… For those who missed it: The show plays off the nigga moment … Definition: Nigga moment is where ignorance overwhelms the logic of an otherwise rational negro man…

Watch:

Well, this episode takes that theme from the last episode, when Granddad kills Col. Stinkmeaner in a classic nigga moment. Huey has a dream of Stinkmeaner coming back from hell to get revenge. Granddad says that he was a menace and he sent him to hell like he deserves. Stinkmeaner's spirit later inhabits Tom Dubois' body and goes looking for revenge against Granddad. Dubois’ starts having nigga moments and Stinkmeaner is the cause of it. Eventually, they tie Dubois’ up (who is possessed by Stinkmeaner’s ghost) and call Uncle Ruckus to do the exorcism… LMAO!

Yo, and that is where I felt like they might have went a bit overboard… The exorcism performed by Uncle Ruckus was craaaazzzzzyyy!!!! LMAO… Basically, they had to get “the nigga” (Stinkmeaner), out of “the Blackman” (Dubois’). So, to do that… Ruckus brought his tools… A noose, a whip, a branding iron, police baton, and a job application… LMAO!

Wait… Wait… It gets worst…

The exorcism involved them making him read a book, beating him with the whip, baton, and straight tim stompin' his ass; while screaming “nigga get yo’ black ass out of here!” LMAO!

Watch for yourself:

Now, I understand what McGruder is getting at with all this… I agree… But, c’mon now… LOL… Shouldn’t some things be sacred and only talked about within our community??? Should we really be airing out our dirty laundry for all of America to see???? With all the controversy surrounding the “Read A Book” video; I can’t see how Boondocks flies under the radar… Is it because it is shown on Cartoon Network and not BET (I really wish it was on BET, where it is needed)???

Also, I know a lot of white people probably watch the show… So, do you think they get it? Do they really truly understand the message behind all the, “nigga this and nigga that?” Do they really overstand??? Because the first time a white kid sees a fight at school between two black kids and says some shit like: “Yo, never-mind them, they just having a nigga moment…” LOL… There might be a problem or would it be a problem???? **scratches head**

Either way, it is a great show… With its brilliant use of humor; it brings up some topics that are in need of discussion in our community… But, this episode had me laughing so hard at how offensive this shit could be taken.

Oh… and the Ghostface cameo was awesome!!!! LOL…

Peace,

Kas

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Review: Little Brother "Getback"

Little Brother Getback At It

By Kas

No major label deal! Well wave bye, bye, to the little bit of major radio and MTV2 run they had!

The Listening… Classic!

The Minstrel Show… Arguably, classic!

They can’t follow up two solid albums with another solid album????? Not in this Hip Hop day and age… They have to stumble, right?

Man, no 9^th Wonder! Them niggas album gonna be garbage!

All the cards seemed to be stacked against them and now we are blessed with Getback. Phonte and Big Pooh, the middle-east’s (N.C.) finest, are back again with another soulful addition to their already impressive discography. The album is a journey into the last two years since The Minstrel Show dropped. It is a very “grown folks” type album lyrically. Phonte and Pooh lace every record with their classic personal, gem dropping, everyday grind, let me learn you something little nigga, flow. That is why L.B. albums are always critically acclaimed and they are one of the few groups left whose material can get copped on name recognition alone. Why? Because you know what the fuck you are getting with a L.B. album and that is good Hip Hop music!

No punch pulling lyrics, over soulful boom-bap beats, is a genetic trait of this crew and that didn’t change with the disappearance of 9^th. They just threw on some new “good clothes” and enlisted the help of some intelligent Hip Hop beat-crafters. Yet, they didn’t go outside their lane and stuck with producers who could concoct that classic L.B. elixir in a new shinny shot glass. The producers seemed to try and keep 9^th’s soulful sound that he crafted for Tay and Pooh and just throw their own little spin on it (except Zo! LOL…). Which really worked out to Tay and Pooh’s advantage on Getback, as it is another solid album.

If you are expecting the social commentary of The Minstrel Show once again on this one then…. Ummmm…. Well, you are out of luck sunny. The album starts off with an intro instrumental, which is a jazzy acoustic version of We Got Now, the last record off The Minstrel Show. That intro leads right into Sirens, which is an Illmind produced banger… That is about as much of that political shit as you gonna get on this one… With Pooh spitting shit like:

“They talk about us not using the word nigga

I want to speak about a couple issues much bigger

Like mos black folk live below the poverty line

And they wonder why the fuck we attracted to crime”

And Tay:

“They trying to blame this rap shit for all of our ills

Like I can stick you up with a mic

Like I can rape you with a verse or use a verb as a knife

Like before Kool Herc everything was alright

Like I wasn’t calling black women hoes before Rappers Delight”

And that is it…

This flows right out of The Minstrel Show and into the Getback… There are a few skits, but the concept album feel is gone. It is more just banger after banger and head nod after head nod.

The relationships between woman and man are a big topic on this one… Records like Breakin’ My Heart, After the Party, and Step It Up, all have a lady drama feel to them. Which is cool, because grown folks can relate to lady drama (say word) and the other records are more introspective. There aren’t any real braggadocios, nonsense records on this album. The closest to braggadocios is the Denaun Porter, aka Mr. Porter, produced heat rock ExtraHard. But even then, they manage to slide in a message of self improvement, do for self, and keep it movin’ness. Each song has a clear message and hits with soulful quality production. Can’t Win for Losing, Two Step Blues, That Ain’t Love, Dreams, When Everything is New, and even Good Clothes, are all those relatable records that you can affirm with a head nod like: “Yeah, nigga… Church… I can relate to all that shit you just said!”

If I had to pick a weak record on the album (which is hard), it would have to be the only 9^th Wonder produced record, Breakin’ My Heart feat. Lil Wayne (as much as I love Tay’s verse on it). Yes, that is right, Lil Wayne… This nigga is everywhere! I can’t even cop a L.B. album without hearing him now… Yo, dude is camping outside of every studio in America, waiting to get on dudes albums… LOL… I’m sayin’… The beat is just lack luster to me and the claps get annoying after a minute into the record. Also, Wayne’s verse is not that great… With lines like “…and my game is skin deep like a first tattoo/ I get all in your head just like shampoo…” C’mon Mr. Weezy… What was that??? **shakes head** But, the song is still listenable on the strength of Tay and Pooh’s verses.

Quick play by play:

1. Sirens Feat. Carlitta Durand – produced by Illmind:

Crazy! Illmind is a beast on this one! Nasty keys and eerie Carlitta Durand sang hook, give this record a dark feel. Awesome pro-Hip Hop, lets get right, message from Tay & Pooh, reminiscent of that Minstrel Show shit.

2. Can't Win For Losing – produced by Illmind:

Claps + Ye styled soul sample + solid drum work and synths = Another Illmind banger! Tay and Pooh lace it with the personal real talk that L.B. fans expect from them. Speakin’ on the trials and tribulations of being Hip Hop artist and how shady the biz can be...

3. Breakin' My Heart Feat. Lil Wayne – produced by 9^th Wonder:

Starts off with a hilarious skit, with dudes girl breaking into his email and finding messages from some other woman… Then a lazy, monotonous, clap filled 9^th beat comes in (well, it isn’t as bad as I’m making it sound… LOL). Tay’s verse is church and Weezy’s verse is not.

4. Good Clothes – produced by Illmind:

The single off the album… Simple looped joint with Illmind solid drum work. The lyrics carry this one! Y’all know you can relate to this record… Don’t front!

5. After the Party Feat. Carlitta Durand – produced by Khrysis:

If you haven’t heard of Khrysis (Away Team), you will sunny… Dude is a beast! He will be a household name in the near future. The beat captures the essence of that late night after the club is closed and the lyrics follow that theme. Smooth and laid back… Subtle synths and another Carlitta Durand murked hook…

This one is connected to Good Clothes through a skit… Yo, the intro to the song is hilarious too… It starts with Tay in the parking lot after the club closes, trying to spit at a woman and his conscious telling him what to say… LOL… One of my favorite records on the album.

6. Extra Hard – produced by Mr. Porter:

Tay says it best at the beginning of the song… This beat is provocative… That is the only way to put it. Honesty, this record sounds more like something 9^th would have crafted. Nice, looped sample with Pooh and Tay spitting that meth.

7. Step It Up Feat. Dion – produced by Hi-Tek:

Y’all know Tek’s pedigree… This shit is meth! Tek’s crooner, hook maestro Dion, assists Tay and Pooh with an ode to the ladies.

8. Two-Step Blues Feat. Darien Brockington – produced by Nottz:

Again L.B.’s enlist another solid pedigree producer in Nottz. Who kills on this jazzy, smoke filled, soulful, banger! Darien Brockington laces the hook with a neo-soul vibe. Highlight is Pooh’s Phife’ish, TCQ inspired, sounding verse… Very nice!

9. That Ain't Love Feat. Jozeemo – produced by Illmind:

Man, another Illmind gem! Mos def a standout track on the album… Along with Two Step, Step It Up, After the Party, and When Everything Is New. “If this is love, I don’t want to see hate… If this is real, I don’t want to see fake!” If you can’t feel that, then you ain’t living.

10. Dreams – produced by Rashid Hadee:

Nice looped sample with a killer bassline and subtle keys… Another 9^th inspired sounding track. They message on this one is meth. Just sit back and listen to what they are saying… This song is real talk and Tay drops a gem with his verse:

“I still go to the crib and see my niggas on the corner

Chillin’ with the pounds on they waist

Gettin’ old, gettin’ round in the face

And when I hang with them

They ask me if The Minstrel Show means I’m ashamed of them

Well, I can’t say that I’m proud

But all the same, can’t say I’m allowed to judge

I’m just glad to see you”

11. When Everything Is New – produced by Zo!:

Yo, Zo! Murders the synths on this record… This is not one of your normal L.B. cut right here… But oddly, it fits them and this album… It is more in the vain of Foreign Exchange too me. Very up beat record and with all the negative shit they vent out on the album, this is one of the happier lyrical tracks… LOL…

All and all, any Little Brother fan will be happy with this album. The whole thing is cover to cover and only one possible skippable record. Some may say that the album is a bit angry, bitter, and dark. But, if you ask me, they just sound hungry… Classics are created off of this type of hunger… In this era of topicless, cookie cutter, dumb downed Hip Hop; it’s nice to hear some Emcees that actually have something to say.

On a scale of 1 – 5

Getback – 4.5

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Review: Kanye West "Graduation"

September 8, 2007 - Saturday












Graduation Day for Kanye West
By Kas


As I sit here contemplating the state of Hip Hop and listening to Kanye West's junior effort "Graduation"… Yo, I can't help but smile.

In the last few months, mainstream Hip Hop has witnessed solid albums dropped from Common, Talib Kweli, and Pharoahe Monch. Now we have an offering from the big dog of mainstream-conscious-neo-Hip Hop-backpackerism.

At first glance, I think: "Damn, what is the deal with these sissy ass album covers? First Common and now Kanye… WTF?" Makes you wonder what is really good over there at Good Music.

But that is neither here nor there…

Have you ever listened to a Hip Hop album and every song you think: "damn so-n-so would have sounded really dope on that song…"??????????????????

Well, this is mos def that album.

What is so frustrating about Graduation is that it is a really meth album. But, Kanye just can't rap!

Usually, you want to hear an album without a dozen guest spots. Graduation is not that kind of album. Lyrically, he just lacks the skill to drop a classic Hip Hop album without a little help from his friends.

That being said, his friends are absent on Graduation day and it's just him walking across the stage to get his diploma (where the fuck is Common??????). Between his new fascination with lesbians (more then one reference made to them… LOL), personal venting, and the normal money, clothes, and hoes all a nigga knows… He really thinks he is a "top 5" Emcee. Well, Graduation just confirms the fact that he is not.

I can't front though, he does make a damn good effort and there are some lyrical bright spots. Records like "Everything I Am", "The Glory", "Bittersweet Poetry", and "Big Brother" have solid lyrical performances. What comes through in Kanye's lyrics is how honest he is. That is his appeal or "swagger" if you will, to the mainstream. His simplistic rhyme schemes and "…though I have a shit load of money… I'm still a normal nigga and going through the same shit as you…" candor, seems to captivate people… I guess…

As for the production…. SOLID! He has reinvented his sound on this one. His use of synthes on Graduation is something I haven't heard from him before like this. He really tried to be creative and that is respectable in this Hip Hop day and time. "Flashing Lights", "Stronger", and "I Wonder" are songs that he really seemed to go outside the box and reach for a new type of sound. He also has his commercial single type records "Stronger", "Good Life" (WOW!), "Champion" and maybe "Bittersweet Poetry" featuring John Mayer. But he does get back to his patented soul sample driven sound on records like "Everything I Am" and "The Glory."

Here is the play by play:


1. Good Morning

Kas says: Basically an intro to the album… The beat is laid back with a sonar echo snare and a Jay-Z sample at the end. Simple track… He says dumb shit like "You got D's muthaphucka D's Rosie Perez" ***shakes head***

2. Champion

Kas says: Nice record… Looped Steely Dan sample (damn he paid for that shit)… Points for good subject matter… "Lauryn Hill said her heart was in Zion… I wish her heart still was in rhyming"… Say word…

3. Stronger

Kas says: You already know… But this stupid ass song is starting to grow on me… 1000000000000 times a day on the radio… I know all the words…

4. I Wonder

Kas says: Nice song… Catchy Labi Siffre sample… Good subject matter… One of the only songs where he let's his production skills take over without him saying to much dumb shit… "Trade it all for a husband and some kids; you ever wonder what it all really means… You ever wonder if you'll find your dreams?"

5. Good Life (Feat. T-Pain)

Kas says: Heat rock… More then likely the next single off the album… Nice use of the M.J. P.Y.T. sample…. I don't care what y'all say about T-Pain… Everything he sings on is a hit… He is like this Hip Hop generations Nate Dogg… LOL… Now throw yo hands up in the sky!!!!!!!!!

6. Can't Tell Me Nothing

Kas says: Toomp was a beast on the beat… Lyrics are garbage and the remix is worst with Jeezy sayin' "Yeeeeaaaaahhhh" 200 times…

7. Barry Bonds (Feat. Lil Wayne)

Kas says: Wack… Wackest shit on the album… Again, the beat is meth… But how can you get on record and say….

Kanye says: "…how you gonna say I aint no lo-head, cuz my dior got me more my dough head? Im insulted...you should go'head...and bow so hard till yo knees hit yo forhead…" ***WHAT?***

Wayne says: "…and me i'm Mr. Weezy baby...yea i'm so bright not shady, my teeth and my ice so white like shady…" ***Shakes head***

8. Drunk & Hot Girls (Feat. Mos Def)

Kas says: Aight… I'm torn on this one… When I first listened to it, I was like "WTF?"… But after listening to it a few times… I feel what Mos and him are sayin' on this record… I dig the whole concept of the record and it is real talk… LOL… But the beat is like some Eminem shit… Garbage… Mos tries to save it with his singing… You'll be singing the hook after listening to it a few times though… Stupid ass song… Skippable….

9. Flashing Lights (Feat. Dwele)

Kas says: Beat is crazy… Wish Dwele would have just sung on the whole song… Kanye again saying dumb shit about some girl: "…Feeling like Katrina with no fema…. Like Martin with no Gina…" LMAO

10. Everything I Am (Feat. Dj Premier)

Kas says: Nothing but methamphetamine on this one… Simple beat and well placed cuts from Premo, make for the highlight of the album… Dope lyrics and beat… He really addresses all his "haters" on this record… You can tell he has his ear to the street **cough** I mean the net… Yo!!! Also, he says that Common passed on the beat at the beginning of the song… Wow! I would have loved to hear him over it… Let's hope for a remix…

11. The Glory

Kas says: Classic Kanye… Sped up "Save the Country" Laura Nyro sample, killer drums, strings, soulful singing chorus, arrogant ass lyrics, and his second reference to lesbians…

12. Homecoming (Feat. Chris Martin)

Kas says: **Scratches head** I don't know… Just sounds like something was missing on this one… Nice keys and Martin's hook is cool… I just don't know… Kanye is again on some female reminisce type shit at first… Then he switches it up midway through the second verse… I think… ??? Really, who knows what the fuck he was talking about… It had something to do with Chi Town though…

13. Big Brother

Kas says: Again Dj Toomp is a beast on the beat… Kanye's ode to Jay-Z… A little corny, but he pulls it off nicely… Telling about how Jay put him on…

14. Bittersweet Poetry (Feat. John Mayer) (Bonus Track)

Kas says: Nice record… Just because people can relate to it… This real talk and honesty on this record… Can't front on personal drama records…

15. Can't Tell Me Nothing Remix (Feat. Young Jeezy)(Bonus Track)

Kas says: Def Jam remix… Jeezy with all his "Yeeeaaahhh"…


16. Good Night (Feat. Mos Def & Al Be) (UK & Japan Bonus Track)

Kas says: Nice little tune… Dub reggae type beat… Mos comes with the sing song hook that is catchy as hell and Ye's verses are simple and smooth… Nothing to write home about…

If you ain't heard "Good Night" … Cop it here:

http://www.zshare.net/audio/34784673872579/


(Good look to Gotty and dem over @ http://smokingsection.rawkus.com for the link)


I refuse to get into all the 50 vs. Ye bullshit that is going on… It is all marketing… Ye even quoted 50 on "Good Life" sayin':

"50 told me go head switch the style up
And if they hate then let 'em hate
And watch the money pile up, the good life"

So, they are mos def working together to pile up some money…. I ain't mad at them all… Because at the end of the day, It's good to see two African American brothers doing good…

So I will just say this…

For all you Kanye fans out there, it will be worth the $12 - $15 or $20+ for the import. I know some "Ye" fans were turned off by "Stronger"… Give the album a chance, it will grow on you. For heads like myself… I don't know… It will get some run in the ipod and I'll be waiting on the instrumental version to drop…

On a scale of 1-5


Kas's Verdict: 3.5 **On the strength of the production**

Peace

Kas


Send all hate mail to:
kill.that.negro.now@gmail.com

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