hiphopmusic101

Drake Featured in GQ Magazine

2011-11-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

Drake has been on a promotion run for his upcoming album “Take Care”, which drops November 15^th. In his interview with GQ magazine he talks about the beef between his Young Money boss (Lil Wayne) and Jay-Z, the type of girl he likes, and about him being an emotional rapper. Check out the interview below.
On if he feels that he’s in a compromising position with the Wayne and Jay-z Beef
I’m just riding with Wayne, always. I’ll never sit here and say that Wayne compromised me. I’m just doing what I got do. I’m a Cash Money soldier. That’s who I ride for. [...] Wayne’s done way more for my career than Jay-Z. Wayne is the reason I’m here.
On his lyrics in the ‘Real Her’
I guess sometimes I feel like I’m laying next to the same woman over and over again. The things that they say, the place they are in their life, the concerns they have about me and my life. I feel like I deal with the same women repetitively. The ones I’m referring to in that song have all f*cked the same rappers. So, yeah, that’s why I say we just met but I think I’ve already met the real her, because I’ve already met you so many times, in different shapes and forms—it all feels familiar.
On His Ideal Girl
Who’s the ideal girl? She is very funny, very supportive, understands that right now I’m trying to build with somebody. The ideal girl is driven, working on something other than modeling or being a singer…
GQ: Or being seen.
Drake: Or being seen! She’s probably in New York to be honest with you. There are a lot of good women in New York.
On thinking some of his projects could have been better
…The videos for “Miss Me” and “Fancy.”I just watched the videos and was like, “What the f*ck are these videos about?” That’s why “Fancy” never came out. It was a weird moment.
On his famous ‘Bill Cosby’ sweaters
I don’t give a f*ck what anybody says about my Missoni sweaters! F*ck you, if you don’t like my sweater! [Editor's note: A middle-aged couple sitting next to us sharply turn their heads.] It’s funny because people only talk about me and sweaters because I don’t give them anything else to talk about. I live in Canada, so any dirt I do you’ll never see because we don’t have the paparazzi up there! It’s the stupidest thing, man, but I’ll embrace it. Hopefully Missoni hollers at me and we get a sweater line popping!
On being considered an emotional rapper
That’s tough. I wish that we lived in a time and a generation where people would stop viewing my honesty as overly emotional. People always act like I spend my life crying in a dark room. I don’t, I’m good. I’m a man. I want to be remembered as an artist that gave you a piece of me, as opposed to some surface bullsh*t. I don’t think people realize that we die, we leave here, and either they forget about you or remember you. And how they remember you is up to you. I just want to be remembered as a poet that was open and honest because I wake up every morning and I’m me.

Justin Bieber covers Jay-Z & Kanye's "Otis"

2011-11-03T22:48:00.000-07:00

Canadian singer Justin Bieber has been slowly steeping into the hip hop world. We’ve all been hearing a thing or two about his “rapping skills”, I personally never took the time to listen to any of his raps until now. Recently the biebs visited 106 FM and coverd Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “Otis”. Anyone that dares to cover this record should definetly be applauded for their bravery, this is one of those break-or-make you covers. Unexpectedly Justin Bieber did a pretty good job! His verses flowed better than some of the mainstream rappers we hear today ~~Soulja Boy~~ (No pun intended). I mean this kid is a little teeny bopper singer, who would’ve thought he could slay a track made by the greatest people in the game right now? He began by telling his story then did a smooth transition into the luxury things he can now talk about. What amaze me were his few punch lines that were accompanied by a twista-like-flow. “Riding in the all black benz, with the all black rims, and we looking at some tens through our all black lens’” I can’t say he’s a great rapper ‘cause word has it his raps are written for him, but I can say he knows how to make a rhyme flow without the help of a catchy chorus. Overall Justin Bieber got a 10/10 for his cover of “Otis”. Take a listen below:

http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhoBNVv2yzPL5kle71

It’s true, never judge a book by its cover.

J. Cole gets a verse on Beyonce's new single Party (remix)

2011-11-03T22:46:00.000-07:00

Seems like being pregnant isn’t enough for Beyonce, she’s been releasing records off of her album “4” simultaneously! The latest release is the song “Party”. The single is a bit different from what we’re used to from Beyonce. Featured on the song are Andre 3000 and Kanye West. It’s been a long time since we’ve heard from Andre 3000 so it was cool to have him on the track. We all know Andre’s music has always been DIFF-ER-ENT, from what the rap game is typically known for, but that didn’t stop him from creating a crazy collaboration with Beyonce. His verse caught the attention of so many listeners to the point where fans got mad about his absence in the video, instead J.Cole was featured with a new verse for the track . The public has been going wild over J.Cole’s raps so you’d think they wouldn’t mind hearing him on the remix of “Party” right? Strangely enough Beyonce fans are upset that Andre 3000 was replaced by J.Cole in the video. In my opinion Andre 3000’s verse was a lot stronger than J.Cole’s. But hear’s what J.cole had to say about this whole ordeal:

“Do you know how many verses I did for that song? I did a version before her album even came out. I did two verses and I love those verses too but they ended up going with Andre’s verse and Andre killed it. Then she reached out to me and wanted me to get on the remix. Out of the second set I did, she picked the first one, but [I liked] my second verse–I just got to say for the record–but it was too long. I think she was looking for something shorter and more to the point. But it’s a blessing to even to be able to work with Beyonce.

"I’m on my defensive rapper because when you follow in Andre 3000 shoes, you’re expected to really go in, so that’s why I say that about getting defensive. But just the fact to be on the song with her and then to be shooting that video with her, being in her presence and she’s such a hardworking and incredible artist, that’s a blessing. I will never forget that day we shot the video, I’ll never forget being on that song and hopefully we get more as time goes on, so shout out to Beyonce".

Check out the video here >> http://hiphopmusic101blog.blogspot.com/p/music.html

Lil Wayne retiring at age 35?

2011-10-21T04:11:00.000-07:00

On why he will retire at 35
Basically, I have been doing this for eighteen years. That’s reason number one. I have accomplished all that I have set out to accomplish and more. Also, I have a label, and I’ve only put out two artists [Drake and Nicki Minaj]. I have a lot more work to do, and it’d be selfish to not focus on being the boss and focus on their projects.
But the main reason is my kids, my children. Now, if I thought I’d be selfish to my artists, imagine what I think I would be doing to my kids. I have enough money that they don’t have to ever do anything—which, they will do everything, ’cause they ain’t getting sh*t. [cackles wildly] Six [more] years, I can do this Lil Wayne thing, and my boys will be about 7 and 8 years old. And man, it’s all about them then. You know, whatever they’re doing. Sports. Whatever they’re into. That’s where I am. I’m at every game. I’m the dad with the hat on. The jersey. That’s me.
I feel like I’ll be a new me, and how good is that? To actually be opening a brand-new door of life at 35? That’d be awesome. Totally awesome. I’m looking forward to it.
Via http://necolebitchie.com/

I think Wayne gives great reasons for retiring and I think it’s a great idea. He dominated the music industry winning numerous awards and selling millions of records, why not do something new that he’s going to enjoy. Wayne is now 29 by the way, so it looks like another six years and he’s gone.

T.I - Another chance

2011-10-20T07:59:00.003-07:00

It’s evident that over the past year hip hop has missed the southern sounds of T.I. TI recently penned his final heartfelt prison letter to his fans, again promising redemption upon his impending release. However, was it too little too late? And as he awaits the day until he finally gets his walking papers, we wonder if he’s honestly learned his lesson.
Just like a roller coaster, his life is filled with ups and downs, and for every stride T.I. makes in the right direction, it seems like he takes a step back. Understandably, his first prison stint on weapons charges was the result of the paranoia, fear and anger he felt in the wake of witnessing his best friend, Philant Johnson, die in his arms. In a misguided desire to defend himself, Tip inevitably put himself back in harm's way. And wound up in prison for it.
But does that explain the arsenal of machine guns found in his car? Nonetheless, we forgave him; overlooking the fact that, unlike everyday people who would’ve been locked up for a lifetime, he received a lighter sentence.
We applauded him from afar as he vowed to get his life together and focus on his family and music, even celebrating his return, and the many philanthropic acts he did leading up to his ‘09 prison term.
So it was surprising when he was caught-yet again, with drugs in Los Angeles. Of course we’re not passing judgment. In fact oftentimes it takes years for people to deal with their issues and get their lives together. However, many still view his current incarceration as a deliberate slap in the face to the justice system and those rooting for his success.
Celebrities tend to be celebrated one minute, criticized the next, by the media and the general public. Did T.I. succumb to the unrealistic demands the media and his fans placed on him? Perhaps. But his incarceration could be the result of his ongoing difficulty in surrounding himself with people that enable his worst tendencies. Maybe its still too soon to say whether or not he's changed. As time goes, it does seem as though T.I.’s redemption is a journey that never ends. T.I is set to release an album sometime in 2012.
Via hiphopblog

RED Album

2011-10-20T07:57:00.001-07:00

A lot of people don't like Game, and it's easy to see why. The West Coast rap superstar has become more famous for antagonizing and petty feuding throughout his career than he has for the music he's made. This is particularly frustrating considering the fact that Game has quietly been a fairly consistent artist since his 2005 debut. On his latest project, the long-delayed R.E.D. Album, the Compton emcee proves that he's quite capable of churning out remarkable--even inspired--work despite his soap opera shenanigans.
Or more accurately--maybe he made compelling music this time around because of the soap opera shenanigans.
On The R.E.D. Album, Game takes potshots at everyone from Lil B to Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All--two relatively-new additions to the canon of West Coast hip hop. Yet his threats seem more like playful disses than his truly vitriolic exchanges with 50 Cent and G-Unit several years ago. But despite the barbs at the youngsters, Game is still die-hard is celebration of all things West; with "Drug Test," a brilliant showcase that features Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, serving as the album's greatest Left Coast anthem. Truck-rattler "Speakers On Blast" (an apt title if ever there was one) features Big Boi and another West Coast legend, Bay Area godfather E-40.
Love Game or hate him--and there are certainly enough people that fit into the latter category--it has to be acknowledged that he is arguably the one rapper in his twenties still providing hardcore West Coast 'gangsta' rap for the masses. As the Cali scene becomes dominated by oddball curiosities, shock rappers and pop stars, it's kind of refreshing to still have a guy like Game around.
Via hiphopblog.com

J. Cole

2011-10-20T01:05:00.001-07:00

J. Cole started rapping at age 13, and started making beats at the age of 15. He first appeared on the scene in 2007 with a mixtape called The Come Up. It included 21 tracks and one feature by an unknown artist. Cole produced 14 of the 21 tracks. He was also signed in 2007 to Jay-Z’s label Roc Nation. In 2009 J. Cole then released his second mixtape, which featured the song that Jay-Z heard before he got signed; Lights Please. Again the mixtape did not have many features, and was mainly produced by the rapper. This same year Cole was featured on a song off of Jay-Z’s album title A star is born, which introduced him to the world. 2010 came and J. Cole released his third mixtape titled; Friday Night Lights, which critics would crown the best mixtape of the year. The mixtape featured the song; In the Morning, which went mainstream and saw a lot of spins on the radio. The song would eventually get a spot on his debut album as well as a viral video shoot in Paris. When I first heard this mixtape I felt it had “album material” on it. Fast forward to 2011, Cole released about 9 tracks via the internet for free leading up to his album release on Sept. 27, 2011. He managed to sell 218,000 copies in the first week of sales, and was the first artist to have their debut album at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album is great, easily one of the top ten albums of 2011. I believe J. Cole is one of the top 5 rappers in the game right now, and he has major potential. He reminds me of Nas with his story-telling ability and focus on real life struggles within his music. He’s definitely going to be great one day.

Watch The Throne: Jay-z and Kanye West

2011-10-19T23:48:00.000-07:00

Watch The Throne: Jay-z and Kanye West steal the show once again! The two rappers created one of the most highly anticipated albums for 2011. The album is clearly influenced by the music of the 50s and 60s. The samples of Otis Redding’s songs gives Jay-Z and Kanye West’s collaboration a special tempo that has a perfect fit for the stories they share in their songs. The album also has music that has personal feelings. In the song “New Day” Jay-Z speaks about the hardship that his unborn child already faces. He explains that even though the child hadn’t been conceived yet; a media frenzy already exists. Jay-Z apologizes to his “Jr.” for the life “he” will have to live and hopes that the status of him and his wife doesn’t stop the child from being like everyone else. The music also has a motivating feel to it. In the song “Lift off” the two rappers talk about perseverance being the key to life. In the chorus Beyonce sings that they’ll “take it to the moon, take it to the stars”, in other words, no one can stop you from reaching you’re highest goal. With the release of “Watch the Throne” Kanye and Jay-Z proves that rap can still be inspirational, enjoyable and good music to listen too. The rappers seem to have taking a lot of personal issues to the studio. I take my hat off to them for illustrating their lives in order to create such a compelling album. I would have to give this album a 5/5; it is my favourite album of 2011. Jay-Z and Kanye also have a concert coming to Toronto on Nov. 24th, 2011. Check ticketmaster for more details.