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If you're not doing anything Sunday, shit even if you are doing something on Sunday, get your ass down to Central Park. I have a half written post that I've been meaning to post forever, the subject being the lovely Ms. Jean Grae, and I've just been sitting on it and not finishing it, I'm not sure why. Anyways, I bring this up because her and Pete Rock are supporting Sov at Summerstage on Sunday. Sovereign is on at 5:30, but the day starts at 4:00.
"Dogs of War" feat. Raekwon the Chef, Cappadonna, Sun God, and Trife Da God by Ghostface Killah (Produced by Pete Rock)
The guitar on this track is ridiculous. It's really cool too how they pull the vocals out at certain points, it really catches your ear when you're expecting them to say it. Such a good job on this one, Mr. Rock.
"Code Red - The Yakuza" by Jean Grae
I totally slept on Jean Grae for so long and I really can't even tell you why. Talib is down with her, that should be reason enough for me right there. I'll admit I don't know a whole lot about her, but I'm really excited that she's finally on my radar.
"Fit But You Know It" Remix feat. some cool people but right now we're focusing on Lady Sovereign by the Streets
I think her verse on this song is better than most of her own work, if not all of it. I really want to like Lady Sovereign, and I do, but the biggest problem with her is that she writes songs about stupid things. I really don't need commentary on fake tanning and shit in my music. It's just not that necessary. I did see her live though, and she really did well. I'm excited to see her again.
see you there.
So it seems that that Busta Rhymes' "New York Shit" has got New York Rappers clamoring to rep their city, lest they be accused of just not keeping it real. One of the results of the trend is the DJ Green Lantern and DJ Kay Slay collabo mixtape, On My New York Shit. There's a huge roster of talent here, with the movement headed by Busta Rhymes, with back up firepower coming from Papoose, Nas, Hi-Tek, Jim Jones, Remy Ma, Lloyd Banks, Timbaland, Styles P., Fat Joe, Wyclef Jean, Snyplife, Swizz Beats, Tru Life, Akon, Prinz and Grafh of Blackhand Ent., Red Café, J.R. Writer, Jae Millz, Cory Gunz, Hell Rell, Uncle Murda, Stack Bundles, Maino, Mike Beck, Tony Sunshine, Scram Jones, Joell Ortiz, Flawless, plus elder statesmen Ghostface, Raekwon, Kool G. Rap, Big Daddy Kane, and Lord Tariq. So first of all, there's a lot of NY talent that's noticeably absent. But you can't get everybody on one tape and there is a lot represented here. I was especially pysched to see that Dj Hi-Tek produced a track for Busta and Nas, and it turned out to be one of my favorites, along with Uncle Murda's "Murdera!" which has a ridiculous reggae beat and a great chorus. "Uptown" from Jae Millz, and Five Deadly Venoms from the old guard of Starks, Rae, and company also turned out to be solid tracks. It's a fun tape to listen to and it's nice to see such fervent New York pride, genuine as it may or may not be, but I do have some mixed feelings about certain parts. Two songs jack beats from the "Liquid Swords" album and on one hand you could look at that like, "Oh hey they're using beats from New York Classics, just like they opened the tape with the New York State of Mind beat." Jim Jones freestyles over Liquid Swords though and even though I do kind of enjoy it, is Jim Jones really cool enough to be spitting over that beat? I'm pretty sure the answers no. Either way, check it out. There's some cool sound effects, some enjoyable Frank Sinatra, and Busta's speeches are awesome.
You can see the tracklisting here,
and you can stream the whole mixtape at hiphopdx.com
In Related News, I heard Joe Budden's answer to the whole New York Shit craze yesterday.
Joe Budden - On My New Jerz Shit. and, a little something from the man who would be King of New York if it weren't for a lot of ignorance in the world:
Talib Kweli and Jean Grae - New York Shit Freestyle
