Here's a cool YouTube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vXFM2_Ul38&feature=youtube_gdata

Dope Track of the Day by 50 Cent

We all knew it was coming. Well, I did at least. Another single dropping from 50 Cent’s new album Before I Self Destruct featuring Eminem entitled “Psycho”. I really don’t know what the deal with Shady is by using weird voices lately. Fif seems to be doing the same thing in this song. Fire back and let us know your thoughts.

DOWNLOAD: 50 Cent feat. Eminem – Pyscho

New Download

Here is the new single “See Me Shine” featuring Lyfe Jennings and Jay Rush off of Bone Thugs ~N~ Harmony’s new album The World’s Enemy: Uni5 due in stores December 15th, 2009. Straight fire!

DOWNLOAD: Bone Thugs ~N~ Harmony feat. Lyfe Jennings & Jay Rush – See Me Shine

Dope Track of The Day by Eminem

New track from Slim Shady himself as he readies his next studio album "Relapse 2", which is slated to be more personal than his last effort "Relapse" which was described be Em to be more lyrical than anything.


Download: Eminem - Taking My Ball


Keep your eye out for Relapse 2, and if you havent bought a copy of Relapse yet - go get it!

Dope Track of The Day by Rakim

This is a new song which has leaked. It comes from the highly anticipated Rakim studio album "The Seventh Seal" - his first since 1999's "The Master". After being on a 10 year hiatus, Ra is back and his new album is in stores on November 17th.

Personally, i loved this track but have not downloaded it because im waiting for the whole album to drop. It seems promising.

Check out the song below and go get the album!

Download: Rakim - Walk These Streets (Feat. Maino) (Produced By Nottz)

Mixtape: Taje - Hot Box Volume 3

Los Angeles, CA, is on fire in more than one way! One being the actual fires, the other being the release of Taje's anticipated street album "Hot Box 3 (Hold Ya Breath)". This will be the newest installment from Taje's acclaimed "Hot Box" series.

Taje's got an insane line-up for this one: Production by DJ Khalil, 9th Wonder, Mr. Porter, TheRealFocus, Dae One, Oh No and more. Guest appearances include Glasses Malone, Crooked I, Balance, Dae One, Get It Gang and Mopreme Shakur. So Enjoy Hot Box 3 (Hold ya Breath), click to download:

Taje - Hot Box Vol. 3 (Hold Ya Breath)

This is the free download version that Taje is giving out to the fans, look out for Hot Box 3, the official version, to drop on iTunes and other digital outlets this month featuring some bonus cuts and other goodies.

Posting

I think I should make more quick posts. I can't post as much music as regularly as I won't have much time anymore. But I will still post up links so you can still download and access links. No albums though. Find your links from albums from others places.

However, I will still post links to free mixtape albums and compilations which is perfectly legal to do. But not retail stuff.

Bored

I am bored.

Anticipating these albums:

Ghostface Killah - Wizard of Poetry
Royce Da 5'9" - Street Hop
Stat Quo - Statlanta
Obie Trice - Bottom's Up
Joe Budden - The Great Escape
Joell Ortiz - Free Agent
Crooked I - B.O.S.S.

I want a new Gang Starr, Wu-Tang Clan, D12 album.

Thursday: Dope Track of the Day

Warren G is used to be a threat in West Coast Hip Hop game. He’s trying to make a comeback with his new album The G Files. On this track he links up with Raekwon and Nate Dogg. They all go in on this track. I guess Rae took a break from sending his goons to Randy Couture people in the face to feature on this track.

Download: 100 Miles & Runnin' (Feat. Raekwon & Nate Dogg)

Wednesday: Dope Track of the Day

Another Warren G track for you. This one is definately a radio-friendly track, summery type tune again with catchy chorus and nice production. This one features Ray J and is called "Crush".

Download: Warren G - Crush (Feat. Ray J) (Right-click, Save as)

Keep an eye out for Warren G's new album hitting stores very soon. It is called "The G Files".

Tuesday: Dope Track of the Day

Vlick on the link below to listen to and/or download the 15 minute song. DOPENESS!!

Listen & Download: Joe Budden - Who Killed Hip Hop?

Why do things gotta be this way?

This time I was in the wrong.  I WAS at fault and I could have changed the outcome.  If only I could go back and do things again.  It is impossible to do so, so now I have to focus on the future and learn how not to make the same mistake I have made countless times.  I need to wake up and put things right.  I've come to a realisation that relationships are at stake here and I've got a lot to lose should I not change my ways.

Why do I hurt the people closest to me? Afterall, they have been the ones who have been there for me since day one.  Its about time I get to grips with things and truly appreciate all that is done for me. I need to be more grateful and repay the favour and show them I meant it. If I haven't got them, who have I got? Who can I rely on? I should count my blessings and not take things or people for granted. I need to better myself immediately!

Monday: Dope Track of the Day

Warren G, the master of G-Funk and part of hip-hop history. He is renowned for his smooth flows and no-one can doubt the west coast classic and most famous g-funk song ever "Regulate" which features fellow 213 member Nate Dogg with a catchy hook (chorus).

That was in 1994. Now in 2008, where real hip-hop has already been over-saturated and has been on a decline Warren G is making another comeback after his 2005 album In the Mid-Nite Hour, which i think was a decent effort and had some solid records.

His new album is called "The G Files" and features Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon, Nate Dogg, Snoop Dogg, Bad Lucc and Ray J amonst others.

This is the first single off The G Files. It is called "She Got Her Own Ringtone", which i cannot help but admit though i hate autotune, is very catchy indeed and is a summer tune. This has been out since the start of summer (about 4-5 months ago) but is still worth posting.

Download: Warren G - She Got Her Own Ringtone (Right-click, Save as)

Look out for The G Files set to drop on October 13th 2009.

Sunday: Dope Track of the Day

This one is of Crooked I rapping over the Str8 Ballin' instrumental by 2Pac where Crook talks about his inspiration and how Pac influenced him. This is like a story. Definitely worth checking out.

Download: Crooked I - Dear Pac (Right-click, save as)

Feel free to leave some feedback.

Some people can never be wrong

Why is it that some people can never accept that they have made a mistake? It is always your fault and you are the problem! Compromise is one thing I've had to excessively do all my life for some people and the annoying thing is they struggle to recognise the efforts that are being put in place for their own benefit. It gets thrown back in your face.  But I shall keep going and overcome every hurdle that comes my way.

Saturday: Dope Track of the Day

I'm only posting this because its new. I've not had a chance to hear it yet.

A new collaboration track by The Game and Ludacris has leaked to the internet. This is a track intended for The Game's upcoming solo album "The R.E.D. Album", was produced by Scott Storch and is called "Go Ahead".

Not much else to say about the track, go ahead and check it out below:

Download: The Game - Go Ahead (ft. Ludacris) (Prod. by Scott Storch) (Right-click, save as)

The Game has been taking shots at Jay-Z lately, so the album might be worth checking out.

Friday: Dope Track of the Day

Every true hip-hop head has been anticipating Raekwon's follow up (Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II) to his most successful album to date (Only Built 4 Cuban Linx), and arguably one of the top 5 rap albums ever. With its notorious mafioso style including samples from gangster films, infamous lyrics and dope production from fellow Wu member the RZA who is renowned for his unique production syle and shaolin samples this follow up, i hope, follows the same recipie (see what i did there? Raekwon the Chef?).

This song right here is from OB4CL2 and is the first single from the album, produced by the late, great J Dilla and features 3 other Wu-Tang members: Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah and Method Man).

Don't sleep - check this out.

Download: Raekwon - House Of Flying Daggers (Feat. Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah & Method Man (Produced By J Dilla)

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II - Out on September 8th 2009!!

Thursday: Dope Track of the Day

Today is a track by Aftermath artist Bishop Lamont who has impressed on the scene for a while now. He's had a quiet year due to working on a film. But he has recorded in the studio for Dr. Dre's highly anticipated album entitled Detox which has been in the making for a decade.

This joint features some dope production from the good doctor himself. A really nice, laid back beat with Bishop speaking on the state of Hip-Hop and the mentality of people today.

Download: Bishop Lamont - Grow Up (Produced By Dr. Dre) (Right-click, Save As)

Wednesday: DTOTD

We have a brand new track for ya'll today by three of the West Coast's top spitters: Crooked I, One-2 and Mykestro. This trio comes together on a track with the fitting title "3 Emcees", produced by Treacherous Records' beat monster Komplex.

The reason for this collaboration: "Mick's Tape". Mick's Tape is the side project of Mickey from Treacherous Records, on which he has been working since late 2006. "This project is my vision for the New West Coast Hip-Hop scene and these artists and producers helpmed me bring it to life", Mickey says.

Features on "Mick's Tape", include Crooked I, One-2, K-Young, Knoc Turn'al, Ya Boy, Quiz , Horse Shoe Gang, Young Life, Mykestro, Jayo Felony, Sauce Da Boss, Sega, Young De, Ca$his, El Prez, Stacee Adamz and more, with production from Komplex, KG and MG.

Go 'head and listen to the first leak, "3 Emcees", below:

Enjoy

Download: Crooked I, One-2 & Mykestro - 3 Emcees (Prod. by Komplex)

Tuesday Slaugust 11th 2009 - Dope Track of the Day

Slaughterhouse album is in stores today and available online now. Go Support The Artists!!

A year ago, this group didn't even exist yet, and when it was announced that Crooked I, Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden and Royce Da 5'9" were coming together as the Slaughterhouse, most fans didn't believe an actual album would come to fruition.

Well, they have proved everybody wrong. Not only is their debut album dropping tomorrow, Slaugust 11th, but these four MC's have also brought back lyricism and real Hip-Hop in a major way. Thanks for that.

New Track from Budden's "Escape Route" Album:

Download: Joe Budden - We Outta Here (Feat. Slaughterhouse)

Tuesday: Dope Track of the Day

3, 2, 1... one one onee (with the KRS sample)

This right here is the first single off the self-titled Slaughterhouse album and is produced by DJ Khalil of Aftermath Entertainment, who has produced hit after hit and musically speaking is on fire right now, literally. Very catchy hook by The New Royales. Dope video and definately a party track. I hope to see this on tv in England.

Download: Slaughterhouse - The One (Feat. The New Royales) (Produced By DJ Khalil)

Watch: Slaughterhouse - The One

7 DAYS LEFT UNTIL SLAUGUST 11TH!! (ALBUM RELEASE)

Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon: Dope Track of the Day

Been busy all week, so 4 in one go for you.

Whack MCs is just too ill of a track. Royce comes hard on this and Crook slaughters the beat. Budden and Joell come off good on this although not on Royce's level. Includes a KRS-One sample. As the name suggests this one is where the group diss rappers for being wack and the way they go on in hip-hop these days.

Download: Slaughterhouse - Whack MCs

Download: Corte Ellis - Money On The Floor (Remix) (Feat. Slaughterhouse)

Royce Da 5'9" - Warriors (Feat. Slaughterhouse)

This one is off Royce's 4 track "The Revival EP" giving us a taste off things to come from him. Dopeness!!

Download: Slaughterhouse - Warriors

Slaughterhouse - Woodstock (Feat. M.O.P.)

This one was meant to be on the Slaughterhouse album until they decided to drop it from the final tracklist due to sample clearance issues. Good song with Billy Danze and Lil' Fame of M.O.P. on the hook. Slaughterhouse are at it as usual.

Download: Woodstock (Feat. M.O.P.)

Eminem – The Warning (Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon Diss)

If you didn’t see this coming after Mariah Carey’s “Obsessed” you don’t know Marshall. Eminem fires back.

This is what i've been waiting for after such an annoying, weak diss by MC (which wasnt effective at all).

Download: Eminem - The Warning (Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon Diss)

Wed & Thurs: Dope Track of the Day

Sorry about the delay, i was a day late on posting wednesday's song.

Wednesday's song is "Fight Club" by Slaughterhouse. This song was made shortly after it was rumoured that Crooked I had been a victim of a robbery and some even said he was in a critical condition after his chain got shot and robbed. Thankfully, Crook was okay and continuted to make music with the group where he addresses the situation in this song. Royce and Crook kill this one.

So here it is - Fight Club:

Download: Slaughterhouse - Fight Club

Thursday's track entitled "Move On (Remix)" is a remix to Joell Ortiz's solo version, this time with Budden, Royce and Crooked speaking on their past. Joell raps about his situation with leaving Aftermath and his relationship with Dr. Dre; Royce speaks on beefing and making up with Eminem, D12 and the whole Shady Records family. In addition, Joe Budden talks about his split from former record label Def Jam whereas Crooked I speaks on his time with and leaving infamous West Coast record label Death Row (Tha Row) Records which boasted many rap superstars such as 2Pac, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound (Kurupt & Daz) amongst others.

Definately check this one out - its a 7 minute track and well worth it.
Download: Joell Ortiz - Move On (Remix) (Feat. Royce Da 5'9", Crooked I & Joe Budden)

Watch: Slaughterhouse - Move On [Official Music Video]

Tuesday: Dope Track Of The Day

Slaughterhouse - Onslaught:

Download: http://www.video2mp3.net/load/YouTube/vZNwucV3VkM/?name=Slaughterhouse-Onslaught+%5BBudden%2C+Royce%2C+Crooked%2COrtiz%5D

11 days left until the slaughterhouse album is released!!

Dope Track Of The Day

I am proud to announce the launch of my new service called "Dope Track Of The Day".

Every day i will post a mp3/video link to a particular song by new and old artists and groups predominantly from the hip-hop genre; although i may post some R&B, Grime, Bassline, House etc... genre songs.

So look out for the free music that drops and get downloading/listening.

To celebrate the launch of the new feature on this blog and also the countdown to the Slaughterhouse album by the hip-hop supergroup "Slaughterhouse" (Royce Da 5'9", Crooked I, Joell Ortiz & Joe Budden) i will post up an additional link to a song.

Slaugherhouse Album release - 12 Days to go (Slaugust 8th):

Slaughterhouse - Slaughterhouse (Feat. Nino Bless):

This song right here was made before they became a group. Royce, Crook, Joell and Joe decided to hook up together with Nino Bless to make a song called "slaughterhouse" where they just spit their lyrics.

Download: http://usershare.net/5unw8cr9w0mo


As a bonus, and before this song gets too old - i'll post a song ive been feeling for some time now. I heard this way before it was out and i didnt expect it to become a single, i just heard the leak on the internet and a radiorip version of it on funkmaster flex's radio show on Hot97.

Jay-Z - D.O.A. (Death Of Autotune):

Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?wmzzxmmdxz1

Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z13AjI8n4I

Test to see if this works

Just testing this from phone

The Role of Media on the way Teenagers Perceive Themselves

Many people want to look like their favourite celebrity. They are everywhere, from billboards to magazines and television adverts - there’s no escaping. People look up to celeb’s and their rich and famous lifestyles, including their success and beauty. Some can only help but imagine what it would be like, others work hard to become a success; others would literally take action on trying to become like someone else.

Something which I find quite worrying is when teenagers, predominantly those who are females, begin to look at celebrities and models on the TV and in magazines and then become critical of their body and physical features. When those affected begin to starve themselves they are doing more harm than they are doing good. An eating disorder is a serious thing, because the body becomes malnutritioned and will eventually begin to malfunction. To think that people want to look good, yet they know that starving themselves will eventually cause illness and ultimately deteriorate their figure.

It’s a matter of how desperate they become to look like their favourite celebrity. Some will put looking thinner as a priority over looking healthier – and size zero models are very peculiar, unnatural, a bad influence not to mention unattractive.

I recall there was TV a programme (I think hosted by Alesha Dixon) which I had unfortunately missed, about models being airbrushed in magazines and how they influenced the teenage readers to become obsessed with looking ‘perfect’. The show looked further into the matter and created a magazine with non-airbrushed images and did all the photos without any effects or tweaking the images.

Natural beauty is the best beauty. Be yourself. Be happy with who you are, the way you look and what you have.

Alesha: Look But Don’t Touch - http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/tvandradioblog/2008/jul/08/lastnightstvaleshalookbut

Nutrition

I think it’s vital that schools start teaching primary school children about simple nutrition, as part of the national curriculum. They say that ‘prevention is better than the cure’. In terms of prevention of bad nutrition, when kids finally grow up and learn what is good and what isn’t good for their health, it may be a little too late to break them out of their eating habits. Why not educate them beforehand? Of course, parents play a major role in this too, they are the ones who make the meals after all.

People think low fat foods are good. Quite the opposite in fact, those low fat foods still have high amounts of carbs and many ready made foods are pumped with artificial chemicals such as additives and preservatives. Many people are not aware that carbs = sugar (even if its potatoes – they are complex carbs, and therefore still high for its calorific content just like sweets with their simple carbs). Sugar = calories = excess calories stored as fat if not burned.

What people lack these days is variety in their diets. Healthy eating is not necessarily just eating salads and avoiding fatty foods with fat. I think people are being narrow-minded about the superiority of food to their health. It is not a miracle, and don’t expect to lose weight just by eating right. You need consistency and need to maintain a consistent balanced diet in combination with exercise at the right intensity. (High intensity cardio is to get fit, low intensity is to burn fat – however, it doesn’t work the other way round). You have to believe in yourself. Again, not magic. Research into health a bit more.

Balanced diets are important people!! If you’re inactive, you should aim to have about 51% carbohydrates of your daily intake, about 25-30% fat and around 20-25% protein. It is all about the percentage of nutrients contained in the food you eat, not just the grams. A good free website I used as part of my Nutrition course was fitday.com – a decent way to track your daily intakes over long periods. You can input the foods you eat and it analyses the nutrients and presents the data in the form of graphs and charts. It is also useful to see the calorie intake and the burned calories for weight loss/gain.

I think something else worth a mention is takeaways. Many of these takeaways which you can buy from shops are very easy and much healthier to make at home. Not too long ago I saw a TV programme called ‘Chinese Food Made Easy’ on the BBC. It shows how takeaway dishes can be made with ease, taste better, are healthier and more natural (and you know what goes in it). At the end of the show, the host challenged guests to cook the dish and serve it to the public and compare it to the takeaway. Notably, the homemade one was almost always preferred.

Evidence has also been found to suggest that ready-made meals are likely to cause mood swings and depression in people that eat them. People who avoid such types of ‘artificial’ foods are likely to be happier. Organic is the way to go.

Is Violence Derived From Hip-Hop?

It was never about the money, the fame, bragging or the glorification of violence. Hip-hop was a culture, a way to escape the acts of violence in the suburbs of New York. Instead it was supposed to encourage people to be more creative. The four elements of hip-hop (emceeing, deejaying, break-dancing and graffitiying) were ways for people to put their talents to use by means of utilising their creativity. Emceeing, commonly known as rapping, was used for people (or emcees) to rhyme on the mic over a beat comprised by a DJ (can be done without beat). Break-dancing on the street, showing of your moves and skills and having contests (even emcee battles were contest where people would take turns to cipher against each other) would dissuade people from physical violence and rather encourage them to express themselves in another, more positive manner by participating in such activities.

With the increasing popularity of gangsta-rap through the late 80’s and early 90’s through prominent groups and artists like N.W.A., Compton’s Most Wanted, Ice-T and Public Enemy, the image of guns and gang violence had been hyped up and influenced people to become a ‘menace to society’. Even, politically, if it meant standing up for your rights or what you believe in, the media regarded it as being out of line and therefore against society and the norm.
Rap fans who looked up to their favourite artists and were perhaps influenced by such gang-related and violent lyrics in songs and possibly transferred that mentality into real life (which was going on in the first place – just the way the ghetto is: repping your side of the city and the colours you wear) and committing crimes which would be deemed as anti-hip-hop; which defeats the object in the first place.

Like most other things over time, hip-hop has evolved and has attracted different audiences ranging from children without a clue what an AK really is, to adults who are actually aware of what the message in a song portrays. Gangster rap is about gangs, violence and how it relates to the struggle that people went through whilst growing up in a ghetto where they were trapped in the ‘system’; not going out to kill innocent people. This genre is like a true story in which the narrator (rapper) reports daily events that go on in his or her life. It paints a picture and gives us an insight to the tale. In my opinion, it can be something to relate to, possibly an inspiration to strive for success, to look on the bright side and make it in the real world.

The infamous beefs that take place in rap are renowned for including violent lyrics and mocking the opponent. What would be classed battles are now ‘diss tracks’ (diss means to disrespect) which are sent back and forth between those involved, but in a more aggressive and provocative manner. Some of the high profile beefs included 2Pac vs. Biggie, Eminem/50 Cent vs. Benzino/Ja Rule (Shady Records vs. Murder Inc), 50 Cent vs. The Game, Death Row vs. Ruthless Records, and N.W.A. vs. Ice Cube. Although these were quite entertaining as a rap fan, threats were made. At least the Nas and Jay-Z beef was kept in the music and not taken too far, by threatening the lives of other people. One thing I found shocking and was when Ja Rule brought Eminem’s daughter into it, why?

Conversely, not all rap is like this because nowadays you hear more people trying to make peace and forget all the violence. This is a good sign and a step forward in the right direction. Artists are now trying to reach out to others and make an effort to unite in order to concentrate on the music, which is the main priority afterall. It now looks as though the days where record labels were dictating the music are well and truly over. People now have the choice of the route in which they want to go down; giving us fans a larger range of music to choose from. It’s just a shame that the majority of the mainstream is rubbish and the only music that people know is how to do the stanky leg, shouting at the top of their voice saying “YAHH!” Hip-hop needs a breath of fresh air or a return to its roots.

Hip Hop Is Dead

Hip-hop is not what is used to be and this is why you hear the controversial phrase ‘Hip Hop is Dead’ popularised by the Hip-Hop great, Nas. The genre has become oversaturated by artists such as Akon, Lil Wayne and T-Pain who do nothing for the genre but further ruin it. In terms of the mainstream, I believe that hip-hop is dead (in the charts), but it still has life in it – you just have to look in the right places to find the real stuff now. I mean, what the hell is the ‘stanky leg’ dance? I don’t give a F about snapping my fingers to this BS, I want real music with the substance to it!

Whatever happened to the days of an emcee rapping over the beat produced by a DJ? Rhyming for fun and enjoyment? Battling against each other just to see who was the best freestyler (freestyling means to rhyme from the top of the head; non-written lyrics) is where it was at.

Many artists have sold out, opting for the big cheques from major record companies and then don’t have the freedom to make the actual music they want to, because they have sold their rights to the label who care about their image and will not let their protégés go all out to express themselves and say anything they like on a record. The A&Rs mould the artists into something they are not and the message they send out is not quite what they had intended – there’s nothing the artists can do about it, because legally they have signed on the dotted line. Hence why many artists are going the independent route for the benefit of freedom. The money? Well, they will earn their money by doing live shows, gigs, self-promotion, releasing mixtapes, demos and album sales etc…

Hip-hop pioneers such as Ice Cube, Common, Grandmaster Flash and Wu-Tang Clan amongst, sent out messages and set the standard for hip hop and others followed. I have to give praise to Mos Def and Talib Kweli, two artists who have kept it real and are not following the trend of killing real hip-hop, they are more original. Now everyone is trying to bring the West back or put New York back on the Map, but the south is dominating the scene right now with wackness (Ludacris, Scarface and Stat Quo are the exceptions).

Countless Hip-Hop legends have died over the years, and coincidently it seems to be the best ones, who made the most meaningful music that have left us:

R.I.P. to Tupac, Aaliyah, Proof, Big Pun, Big L, Notorious BIG, Jam Master Jay, J Dilla, MC Breed, Bugz, Left Eye, Johnny J, Ol’ Dirty Bastard and Eazy-E.

I guess the good die young… and now we’re left with dumb downed lyrics, predominantly sex, money and alcohol related, aimed at kids around 10-16 years old. Is this any better? Do we really want kids to ‘pop bottles’ or ‘superman that ho’ at 12 years old? Music which is intended to have a message behind it should be more positive and educational, not the other way round where it encourages them to behave egotistical, selfish and immoral.

The genre is on a serious decline but I sort of have a feeling it may just have a little bit of life left in it and be resuscitated. But not quite the way it once was, the damage has been done forever…

In the end, there are different kinds of music for different purposes; I like different kinds for instance, party music, g-funk etc… I just don’t want reality rap and hip-hop in its purest form to be ruined.