The new issue of Essence Magazine has a list of its 25 Most Influential of 2008 and Hip-Hop artists hold 5 of the top ten spots, with Queen Latifah leading the pack.
The list, which recognizes 25 distinguished African-Americans who have made a difference in 2008, features a cross section of politicians, journalists, activists and celebrities, with President-elect Barack Obama holding the top position.
Even thought Queen Latifah hasn't release any new rap songs is sometime she has been busy on the movie scene.
Kanye West goes after a Hip Hop balled with this new rap song off of 808's and Heartbreak entitled "Streetlights". His singing is pretty awful on this one or perhaps awful is a bit harsh but the melody is very nursery rhyme like, he is practically talking on this one and there is less autotune than seen on other tracks from the new rap album which is on iTunes. Perhaps this is a sign of more things to come in music. More bathroom singers will get record deals as music becomes more and more of a freely distributed item the major labels will continue to fore go real talent for stuff like this since no one these days seems to want to pay for good music?
This dark violin laced track looks to set the tone for Kanye West new rap music album 808's and Heartbreak. Heavily processed vocals, reflective lyrics and a sweet Kid Cudi hook makes this one of the definite standout new rap songs from this new hip hop album. Kanye seems to be reflecting on how his life as a rap star has cost him some of life's simple joys that we all take for granted. He has sports cars and we have kids. He has a new date and we are getting married. A very clever concept indeed. Kanye West makes something that every musician dreams of seem like the heavest burned to bare. 808's and Heartbreak sounds like it is an amazing album so far and it is avialable at iTunes along with a slew of new rap tunes.
Buy now I am sure your are aware that some of the best new rap music comes from the underground or independent Hip Hop scene. Recently the scene has exploded with artists like Mickey Factz, The Cool Kids, Kid Cudi (who recently signed with Kanye West record label Good Music and is featured on Kanye West's new album), Kid Sister, U-N-I, M.I.A. and I could go on. Another independent rapper that's starting to catch a lot of ears is Jair Dynast.
Jair Dynast first came on the music scene in 2007 with his debut album V.I.A.L.E.N.C.E. (an acronym that stands for Vicious Ignorance Amounts to Little Except Negative Consequences N’ Expression). Released by budding and well respected indie Hip Hop/Rap record label eMultimedia Group, Inc, the album was choesn Top Ten Rap Album of the Year by the well respected RapReviews.com. The album had a really new sound to it blending the genres of Hip Hop, Reggae, R&B, House on the production tip with Jair Dynast's thought provoking in your face lyrics. Even though it was critically acclaimed you may not have heard about it but I strongly suggest you pick yourself up a copy.
Back to feed the scene with his innovated beats and flows Jair Dynast returns with the banger "Simple Plan" off his new series "The Vanguard Series". "Simple Plan" is Chapter I according to eMultimedia Group's press release. On "Simple Plan" Jair is straight spittin' fire with lines "radioactive, I'm splittin' atoms in the booth so don't come around here without hazamat suit". "Simple Plan" is a great follow-up to his 2006 #1 Chart topping single "Vicious".
On the production tip, Jair Dynast again shows his talent and versatility with "Simple Plan". Jair fuses dark string blasts with piano knocks over a traditional east coast hardcore drumline and booming muffled base giving that 90's era vibe while taking us into the future with more punchlines like "forget who got now cuz I'm the future like wind and solar power and you're just a token black like Colin Powell" among many many more memorable lines. My only issue with "Simple Plan" is that the song is only clocks in at 2:30 but still worth $0.99 at iTunes.
Jair Dynast also has a hip hop music video to go with "Simple Plan" which you can watch below:
Are you like me getting tired of how too-simple the Republicans seem to be about life? Take Sarah Palin as the perfect example. She took office saying: "what's the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull, lipstick"?
However, as times goes on she's becoming an egg without a shell. It takes her 4-days to come up with the publications that she reads. She blew off Gwen Ifill in the VP debate while she blew kisses and winks as the viewing public. Do you believe we can? Yes We Can, we know we can.
After this Sarah Palin's experience no one should accuse rappers of their language or not saying anything in their rap music. Sarah Palin has taken the gloves off on rhymes and simple talk - no straight talk.
She's chastising Obama for palling around with a domestic terrorist but she allows her teenage daughter to pall around untethered and we all know the outcome of her palling around. What a hypocrite?
Since she's a right-wing church goer that believes that God sanctions all things, then she must know the passage in the bible that talks about judging, casting stones and love of neighbor. Just in case that Palin does not read the bible either, here's some help - read Matt. 7:1, Matt 7:2-5 - "Do not judge, or you too will be judged.", John 8:1 - 11 - "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." "The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:28-31)
Rappers and music fans that listen to rap also know about God and the Bible. We have actually read this book and some of our mothers made it mandatory reading. So enjoy this latest video on social consciousness and responsibility.
Remember to get out and vote on November 4th to protect all our freedom to read the books of our choice and preserve our Libraries and Librarians.
With the November 4th elections swinging into full gear and the final 30-days, McCain-Palin has decided to dig down deep in the mud to drudge up as much filth as they can muster. If these parties were famous rappers, this would be south side of Chicago against the uptown elites.
Palin is dropping remarks that Barack Obama has been cozying up to the domestic terrorist, Bill Ayers who got his infamous label back in the 1960s and 1970s when Obama was about 7 or 8-years old. Palin has decided to shed her lipstick for the construction "hard hat" and "steel boots".
This kind of attack has forced the Obama team to launch a counter-attack by reminding older members of society about the 1980s financial scandal - The Keating Five. McCain was known to have spent several vacations on Keating's yacht and his house in The Bahamas so he jumped to defend his friend.
Later McCain regretted his poor judgment so today some 28-years after Obama campaign is showing the relevance to the current scandal and the many parallels. Back then some 747 savings & loan banks failed and the taxpayers were left in the lurch for $120 billion so you may say that a leopard doesn't lose his spots.
Tim Dickinson of Rolling Stone Magazine has recently written a detailed 10-page report, Make-Believe Maverick on McCain's life and career that reveals a disturbing record of recklessness and dishonesty. The real elitist, McCain attended Episcopal High School, an all-white, all-boys boarding school across the Potomac in Virginia, where tuition today tops $40,000 a year.
This is the typical annual pay of some Joe-six-packs with as many as 4-kids to cloth, house and feed. No wonder that rap artists and rap music glorify the bling lifestyle seems necessary to achieve any semblance of a half-decent life in America today.
I-20 is coming back in November... The Disturbing Tha Peace member has a new viral video out called "I like her" featuring Ludacris and ATL native Rocko. This joint is pretty hot!
