LOL @ TI’s opening! I love his allusion to Puff’s intro to Craig Mack’s “Flava In Ya Ear” video.

I really like this song, it’s the new hater anthem. This is a track to bump when you’re rolling up to the party looking fresh. Sure, there may be haters meanmugging, but don’t worry about it. Just give ‘em a wave. Hi hater!

This is the quintessential remix video. It has the all white background, the cameos, and it features like 10 people, some of which are ALWAYS featured on remixes. Which isn’t negative thing, I think artists like Fab and Jadakiss who resurface on remixes here and there create anticipation. It makes us wonder why the hell they won’t come out with an album or something. The aforementioned rappers seem to have established a large part of their career by lacing other peoples’ tracks with their rhymes. In that way, it’s ingenious. It allows them to stay relevant.

Good to see my girl Mya in the vid! I’ve always appreciated her style and energy. She’s very fab. Hopefully she’ll make a comeback soon.

Off to find a remix to hop on,

Hip Hop Muse

Watched it, loved it.

Tracy Morgan is hilarious as the master of ceremony. I like that moniker, master of ceremony. It goes, master of ceremony, MC, microphone checker, emcee…did you see ‘em, they wanna be me…like my rhymes? Ok, ok, my bad for getting carried away. I’ll stick to blogging.  Anywho, I loved T. Morgan’s play on the ’08 Presidential Election. It’s obvious that dude is very intelligent, and very hip hop, which I appreciate. And he has great one-liners, a la Chris Rock.

Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Slick Rick, Too Short, and Naughty By Nature.  These artists are innovative, unique, and most importantly, they’ve put in work. To paraphrase Too Short, check their resumes. If you put it all on paper and look at it, they’ve done a lot. You gotta respect them for it.

To me, that’s some of the inspiration behind hip hop. The grind to succeed. Check the resume, look what I’ve accomplished. You don’t have to love me. You don’t have to like me. But you will respect me. Why? ‘Cause I’m a boss! (From Kelis, “Bossy.”)

Is it hip hop award month or something? The BET Hip Hop Awards airs Thurs, Oct 23 at 8p. Sidebar: I want to make it clear that I have very little respect for this network, but my significant other works for them and he produced a segment for this year’s show. I support hip hop, I support my boo, but I do not support BET Networks. I’m convinced that their goal is to decimate the image of black people on television. It’s safe to say I support their good programming, like American Gangster, which premieres immediately after the award show. Support American Gangster, but boycott bullshit like Hell Date. End sidebar.

People I was really happy to see: Eve, Scarface, Big Boi of Outkast, Busta Rhymes.

People I think should be honored next year: Jay-Z, Ice Cube, E-40, Outkast, UGK, Common, Eve, DMX, The Lox.

Did you watch the show? What did you think? I would love to hear your thoughts and comments.

Hip Hop Muse

By now most of us are willing to admit that our economy is in the thick of a recession. This means lots of us are cutting back wherever possible. *Sigh.* But hey, just because you need to cut back doesn’t mean you can’t still be fly. Want to know how to be uniquely stylish while saving dough? Consider shopping at Goodwill.

Admittedly, in the past I slept on the gems that can be found at a secondhand store. When I was growing up, my Grandma used to shop at secondhand stores, and I didn’t get it. I thought the quality of their goods sucked and it was a waste of time to sift through all that stuff to find something worth buying.

That changed for me last week, when I went to Goodwill to recycle some electronics. After dropping off my e-waste, I decided to take a look around and see what Goodwill had to offer. I was pleasantly surprised to find a few unique and stylish items to add to my existing wardrobe collection.

Hip Hop Muse Came Up At Goodwill

These items are pretty dope, right? The gloves are very feminine and retro. The silver detail adds a bit of edge. They were brand new too, still had the tags on them. The chain cinch belt makes me feel like an over-accessorized celebrity. Stylin’ on them fools.. And the chocolate brown cable knit bag is super trendy. Spotted elsewhere for $65. Copped from Goodwill for $6. Total spend: $11. Holla atcha girl when you see me in the streets, being fly and holding enough to make a contribution to my 401k.

Here are a few things to consider when shopping secondhand:

1. “Hip Hop Muse,” you may say. “Wearing other peoples’ unwanted goods gives me the bubbleguts.” To that I say…you make a great point. The idea of wearing something from God knows where is quite daunting. I recommend dry cleaning any secondhand clothing items. You don’t know whose arse touched those clothes before you came along.

2. Found a top you love with a missing button? Zipper broken on that super cute handbag? Negotiate. Usually the clerks at Goodwill will cut a deal with you if you do a little haggling, especially if the item has a defect.

3. If you see something you like, grab it immediately. It isn’t wise to pass up an item you like, even if you aren’t completely sold on it. If you initially pass it up and decide to go back and get it, someone else may have grabbed it.

4. Be prepared to make fixes. The handbag is missing its clasp, so I’m going to hit up an arts and crafts store to find a replacement. Then it’s going to my local shoe repair where it will be fixed. It will be like brand new!

I came up, so can you. I’m still quite iffy about buying clothes from Goodwill, but if I saw something I couldn’t do without, I would snatch it up with a quickness. I can get over my secondhand store misgivings to come up on a good deal.

Feel free to share your thoughts on your secondhand store experiences.

Peace,

The Hip Hop Muse

Eazy-E left us in 1995 at age 31, at the peak of his career. He was very accomplished as an NWA frontman, solo artist, and businessman. He had just put on Bone Thugs. Unfortunately, he was also beefing with the other NWA group members. Eazy set the bar for future hip hop entreprenuership by putting out his own music, managing his own label and other artists. Before Diddy and Jay were heading Bad Boy and Def Jam, respectively, Eazy-E had Ruthless Records.

Along with the surviving members of NWA, Eazy introduced the world to the wild, wild, west. Eazy-E is a hip hop legend and his contribution to the game is duly noted. Rest in peace to that brother.

Love,

The Hip Hop Muse

I had the idea that I was only going to post one Dr. Dre video today, but I couldn’t decide between “Let Me Ride” and “Dre Day.” Since I’m indecisive, enjoy both!

NWA Week continues on HipHopMuse…

Peace

Right on Cube, today is a good day. It seems like NWA week on Hip Hop Muse. Now that I think of it, hey, why not? I now declare, it is NWA Week on Hip Hop Muse.

It’s one of those rare days when things fall into my favor, which I feel so blessed to have received. I’m having a good hair day. I got a job offer in my field (web advertising), I did a good deed by recycling some e-waste, copped a fly-ass suede bag and a leather belt with gold chain detail (channeling my inner rock star), and I met a handsome guy while handling some business. To top it all off, I have some Teriyaki wings from Wing Stop. Ch-ch-cheah.

This summer was pretty hectic, so I’m reveling in the moment while it lasts. Damn right it was a good day.

Enjoy!

NWA is one of the most prolific groups in hip hop history, hands down. Dre, Cube, Eazy, Ren, Yella scared the heck out of America with the 1988 release of “Straight Outta Compton.”

As a native of South Los Angeles, I always felt this group spoke of the ills of street life, which is life as we know it in South Central Los Angeles. NWA’s in-your-face lyrics and attitude were understandable to me, because I know the experience. Compton, Watts, Long Beach, Inglewood, South Central. Ghetto life doesn’t stop there. Many areas throughout Los Angeles are plagued with gang violence. Don’t let the stuff you see on tv fool you. Hollywood, West LA, Venice and parts of Santa Monica have their ‘hoods. It’s not all glamorous like you see on TMZ.

NWA aired Los Angeles’ dirty laundry for the entire world to see, while changing the course of hip hop. The group’s impact will be discussed on VH-1′s Rock Docs, this Friday  Oct. 3 at 8pm PST/11pm EST. I’m setting the DVR for this one. This hip hop documentary is not to be missed.

If the NWA documentary doesn’t excite you enough, or if you’re like me and want background music to accompany your viewing pleasure, a compilation entitled, “NWA Family Tree“ is being released today. Yay for new release Tuesdays. This compilation is a must have for any west coast hip hop aficianado. It includes classics from Ice Cube, Eazy, Yo-Yo, Mack-10, Warren G, Westside Connection, Snoop. This is a must have for any hip hop aficianado. Cop that LP!

At some point, we all need some kind of motivation. When you aren’t getting it from your family, your friends, or society, you have to get it yourself. Self-motivation is a major tool for success. When I’m in such a mindset, there are certain songs and albums I turn to for my motivational soundtrack.

Kanye West, Graduation

This is my default go-to album when I need to get my mind right. If I could sum it up in a sentence, this record is a reflection on hustling your way to the top of your game while keeping a sane head. Wondering if you’re going to fulfill your dreams. And who can’t relate to the sentiment, “Wait till I get my money right….you can’t tell me nothing! Ha ha!” I’m broke today, but just wait until I get my money right!

Snoop, “Ups and Downs”

I relate to Snoop mostly because we’re both from the LBC, but mainly because he keeps it way real. I usually pop this track in when things are really screwed up, and I feel that there’s nowhere to go but up. Snoop sums it up perfectly in the outro:

“I think back to the words my grandaddy used to say. I never seen him in church, but he always had the word. Sometimes he would tell me, you gotta take the good with the bad. You got to do bad in order to do good.”

That’s real spit.

Tweet, “Smoking Cigarettes”

I know Tweet is R&B, but R&B is the female counterpart to hip hop (not including female emcees, obviously). It’s where women dominate. The musical composition to this song is fantastic. Bass and guitar strings rule here. Tweet’s voice is a perfect complement, with its smoky and raspy undertones. Many women can relate to this song. Shoot, sometimes when I’m bugging out I feel like smoking a cigarette, and I don’t even smoke.

Tribe Called Quest ft. Faith Evans, “Stressed Out”

The title says it all. Faith says it all in the chorus. ‘Nuff said.

Ghostface, “Cher Chez La Ghost”

This song is so much fun, and it makes me sing along and dance every time I hear it. Dancing releases bad energy and increases endorphins,  and brings you to a happier place. I strongly recommend it.

Feel free to adopt my motivational music, or share some of your own in the comment section.

Peace and love.

LAX is a dope album title. It’s concise and aptly says, “Welcome to Los Angeles,” just like the signs do when you’re driving down Century Boulevard, leaving the airport.

Game represents the west coast well. His flow, vocabulary and wordplay are on point, and he really knows his hip hop. He often alludes to hip hop greats, as evidenced in the first single from LAX, “Game’s Pain” featuring Keyshia Cole. This track, as well as the remix, run along the same vein as Method Man and Mary’s version of “You’re All I Need.” The collaboration between a dope lyricist and a hip hop soul songstress is magical.

Game’s artistic growth shines on this album. While I can’t say I’m in love with every track on the album, I appreciate his lyrical skills. On the track featuring Chrisette Michelle, Game sounds very Nas-like, something he points out in the song. I wouldn’t go as far to say he’s swagger jacking, it’s more of an allusion to a hip hop legend. Sometimes when you listen to certain artists, you can tell who their influences are.

Nas blessed Game with his greatness on “Letter to the King.” The song is quite somber, but the soul samples are great. Nas and Game balanced the tone of LAX with this elegaic reflection on being black in America.

Game’s knowledge and appreciation for real hip hop is much of his appeal. Compared to many of his contemporaries, his style is characterized by his study of hip hop greats; taking their influences and making them his own. He knows that hip hop started in New York, but when it made it to Los Angeles, it became gangster. He intelligently exploits that fact.  Like it or not, it is what it is.

My personal favorite track on LAX is “Angel,” featuring Common. The track is produced by Kanye, and it sounds like some Rick James, Bootsy Collins, funky soul shit. It’s one of those songs to use as your soundtrack to engage in your chosen vice, or just ride to it with the bass speakers pumping.

And that’s what real hip hop does. Take what the greats created for you, make that shit your own, make it hot. It’s a winning formula.

Sorry for my brief absence from the blogosphere, I celebrated my birthday (9/17) this week. I’ve been celebrating this entire week, and will continue to do so until the end of the month. It’s a celebration bitches!

Btw, shout out to all the Virgos out there. I’m lucky enough to share a birthday with a hip hop luminary, the one and only Doug E. Fresh. In honor of me, Doug E., and all Virgos, enjoy this:

Ludacris, Nas, Doug E. Fresh: Virgo

I’d like to share a review I wrote about Erykah Badu’s concert at the Greek Theater a few months back. Walk with me, fam.

****

Friday, June 13, 2008

Low Down Loretta Brown

So last night I went to the Erykah Badu concert at the Greek. The Roots opened for her (I freaking missed that part due to the hellish parking situation at the venue, darn it!) but some fellow concert goers informed me that they rocked it. Shouts out to my peeps in row K! I wasn’t too peeved about missing them since I knew I would see Questlove and Black Thought at Crash Mansion after Ms. Badu’s performance, so it was all gravy.

Ms. Badu, or Low Down Loretta Brown, as she refers to herself, tore the roof off that piece like Parliament. Her energy is crazy, she made a crowd of thousands feel like a small, intimate gathering of friends. She made everyone hug a neighbor, fostering an  environment of fellowship and community amongst the crowd. If you weren’t friends with the people next to you, you became friends with them, if only for the duration of the show. In the midst of global madness, the people of Los Angeles came together in the name of soul music. It was truly a beautiful thing.

The performance itself was ill. Her style is so all over the place – B-girl to Billie Holiday, Funkadelic to Janis Joplin, Nina Simone to Texas hip hop – she takes it there. And she makes you a believer.

Homegirl went from playing an African talk drum to beating out old school hip hop beats on a drum machine. It absolutely made me fall in love with her all over again. I almost fell out when she rapped a verse from NWA’s ”Straight Outta Compton.” It was a dope low key shout out to the West. She took it way back to another place, where chicks wore dolphin earrings, everyone wore color skinny jeans (the first go ’round), a place where kids spit rhymes and banged out beats on school lunchroom tables. It was a nostalgic moment.  My soul was touched.

Ms. Badu’s show felt like a lesson. Halfway through the show she stopped to explain the meaning of a vortex to a crowd: “a swirling force of energy that sucks everything into its orbit.” Sort of like a hurricane, a tornado, or water draining down a sink. Chaos with a center of calm. Homegirl drops major knowledge on those who aren’t up on it. She’s on a whole ‘nother level with the life game.

I can say with absolute conviction that this is one of the best live concerts I’ve seen in my entire life. I have no more words.

Peace.

I’m really digging this song, it’s a sexy club banger. It features Fabolous, who is looking so fly in the video. If I see him in the streets, I will holla.

Enjoy.