The Breezy Effect Blog. We Represent The REAL Hip-Hop!

Wale - "Ambitious Girl"

2010-07-29T19:22:00-04:00

(Photo By AfricaHit.Com)

Wale first leaked this track on Twitter and the response was major. The Washington, D.C. rapper got lots of positive feedback on the cut. So decided to see what all the fuss was about and was surprised to find out this is not a standard rap single. It is instead a spoken word piece. The background music here is a soft piano sound. Occasionally there is a light sound effect or snapping sound, but the piano dominates. It is pleasing to the ears. As far as content, Wale simply describes his desire and want for a hard working female with goals, compared to the trifling ladies that he has encountered in his past. Stand out lines from the piece: "I'll ask her baby girl, what you aspire to be? And she reply to me like, why you perspiring me? B--ch. Pardon me if I'm sweating you but, I wanna see something else in you before I invest in you." Anyone who has encountered a significant other who seems to want nothing out of life, can relate to these lines, I definitely can. Sources say that this will not be on Wale's upcoming mixtape More About Nothing, so you might want to snatch it while you can. More About Nothing drops on August 3, 2010. Peep the second promo trailer for the mixtape after the jump.

Overall, I thought this was a quality spoken word piece. I do think the explicitness in some parts slightly takes away from the uplifting vibe of the track though. But there isn't a lot of it, so it's not that big of a deal. So props to Wale, I look forward to the mixtape. And that promo is wild, lol. -MinM

Mac Miller - "Kool Aid & Frozen Pizza"

2010-07-27T18:40:00-04:00

Today was a slow day for suitable posting material and just as things looked hopeless, this video caught my attention. This video comes from a young rapper out of Pittsburgh, PA by the name Mac Miller. Miller started exploring his rap skills at the tender age of nine, after being inspired by Slick Rick, OutKast, and countless others. He would go on to form a duo called The Ill Spoken with a fellow Pittsburgh emcee. The group saw some moderate success via mixtapes and live shows. At about the age of 17, Miller decided to continue his journey in the Hip-Hop game as a solo artist. With his style similar to that of the 90's Golden Era Hip-Hop and co-signs by artists like Wiz Khalifa, Miller definitely has the Hip-Hop community talking. His ultimate goals are to put Pittsburgh on the map and make quality/classic music for fans to enjoy. How is he doing in accomplishing said goals? Click play and let's find out.

This track is from Mac's upcoming mixtape KIDS. The video was directed by Ian Wolfson and opens with some brief audio from the infamous 90's movie by that same name. After that, the laid back production kicks in and Mac begins his journey around the city. Mac shows love to various people, walks through a few stores, flirts with pretty girls, and more. All the while maintaining his distinctive flow and too cool for school swagger. That is pretty much the video in a nutshell. It has the feel of a leisurely Summer stroll through the city with a friend on a nice day. For those interested, KIDS drops on August 13, 2010.

I loved the vibe of this track and video, it has a strong feel good theme going on. Also, Mac has a unique flow and some pretty solid rhymes. He is quite young, so he definitely has some growing to do. But I believe he is off to a great start. In a few years with the right grooming, this kid could stand to be a real contender in the Hip-Hop game. I see you Pittsburgh! -MinM

YC The Cynic - "Summertime High"

2010-07-26T03:29:12-04:00

<a href="http://ycthecynic.bandcamp.com/track/summertime-high">Summertime High by YC The Cynic</a>

If you've visited the site in the past week, then you already know I have a deep affection for "Summertime" jams.

I'm always looking for new, feel good songs that evoke the spirit of the season in my mind to add to that particular list.

Fortunately, a ray of sunshine shone in my direction via YC The Cynic. Over a beat sounding as if it were inspired by a May day in 1970, the young, gifted and Bronx-bred emcee fondly reminisces over a few of his sunny day past times such as playing the "Red Light, Green Light, 123" game with friends and getting drenched from frolicking through the park's sprinkler system. The song is featured on the soon-to-be released project entitled The Spectacle (the follow-up to his mixtape, You're Welcome), however, YC comes off pretty clean with the flow on this one. (Sidenote: After the third listen, I felt like reaching for that frilly white peasant skirt I have hanging in my closet, and running barefoot through some fresh grass. Shout out to the producer, JFree!)

Check out the FREE DOWNLOAD of "Summertime Highs", and feel free to share some of your own only-in-the-summertime activities below.

News: Bizzy Bone Goes Heavy Metal

2010-07-25T22:16:00-04:00

(Photo By ShoutMouth.Com)

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony member Bizzy Bone has signed a new record deal with Sumerian Records and has also decided to adapt a new style. He is planning a Hard Rock / Hip-Hop sound for his new upcoming release.

The founder of Sumerian Records, Ash Avildsen confirmed the signing and states that he is excited about Bizzy's debut project on the Heavy Metal label. For those shocked by the new partnership, Avildsen says it's what Sumerian Records is all about. The label may be rooted in Metal but it stands to represent progressive music in all genres. He feels that Bizzy is a very progressive artist and that his debut will be his best work since his first solo album back in 1998, Heavenz Movie. And that Bizzy's impact on Hip-Hop along with his passion and dedication to his music, will be sure to help him connect to his new fellow artists. Bizzy's debut will be entitled Crossroads 2010 and will feature tons of guest appearances from his new Heavy Metal label mates. The first single from the album has already been released. It is called, "So Cool," and is available on iTunes now. Crossroads 2010 will be released in digital form only on July 27, 2010 and then as a full album on August 24, 2010. In addition to his new label venture, reports have it that Bizzy is also currently working on his autobiography. The bio is to include: his childhood, his feature on America's Most Wanted, his time with Bone, his drug addiction, and his battle with sobriety. No word on when the autobiography will be released has been given yet. Once more details emerge, I will update accordingly.

As an original fan of Bone from when they first entered the Hip-Hop game, I wasn't feeling this new path that Bizzy wants to take with his music. After so many years of hearing him rooted in Hip-Hop, it is hard to accept him doing anything else. However, as a journalist I am not allowed to be biased. So I checked out his first single and it's not half bad. His signature speed and melodic flow seem to be slightly off, but it's not as horrible as I thought. Any other die hard Bone fans care to share their thoughts? Are you crossing over with Bizzy or cherishing the old sounds of Heavenz Movie? Drop us a line in the comments section and let us know. -MinM

Mista Mista - "Airplanes" (Remix)

2010-07-23T21:59:00-04:00

"Airplanes Remix"

Mista Mista is an artist who has been featured on the site a couple of times in the past. He hails from Providence, Rhode Island and is looking to prove that REAL Hip-Hop can exist in even the most unlikely places. He took on Atlanta native B.o.B's second smash single by adding his own original verse and some small vocals at the end. The verse is on point, definitely has that same passion and story of hardships. Also, Mista has a smooth delivery and some decent rhymes going on. The little melody section at the end was kinda hot though. It would have been nice to see something more done with that part. In the end, this was a good effort and worthy of a listen. I'm curious as to what a full remix would sound like. Drop a line in the comments section and let us know what you think! -MinM

Fabolous - "Lights Out (I Don't See Nobody)"

2010-07-22T18:39:00-04:00

(Photo By WordPress.Com)

"Lights Out (I Don't See Nobody)"

The production here is hot and was done by Lex Luger. It is very low key, has a strong bass, and gives off an intense vibe. The hook is simple on a lyrical level but has a very catchy appeal to it. It generates a quality rating overall. The verses are seriously on point though, Fabolous is on top of his game on this track. He has good delivery with a melodic type of flow, well put together rhymes, and skillful/witty wordplay. "Told her I'm a kill it and I use Magnum protection. I just slide up in it baby, that's lethal injection. I'm about that money, p---y is what a fool chase. Ho's will have you tied up, b--ch I ain't no shoelace," explicit but slick right? In the end, this song ranks as a definite banger. This is the Fabolous that sells records and hopefully the Fab that's coming through on the next album. But don't just take the review at face value, please click the link and listen for yourself. For those interested, this track is from Fab's upcoming EP titled, There Is No Competition 2: The Grieving Music EP re-release. The EP hits retailers on August 24, 2010 and serves as a promotional item for Fab's next studio album, Loso's Way 2. -MinM

News: Was Hip-Hop Fooled By A Scottish Duo Or Is It All A Hoax?

2010-07-20T18:03:00-04:00

(Photo By Guardian.Co.UK)

Meet Hip-Hop's very own alleged Milli Vanilli, American duo Silibil 'N Brains aka Scottish duo Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd. Bain and Boyd were two college friends from Scotland. They decided to try and make a name for themselves as rappers but were unsuccessful. Apparently, people in Europe only saw them as something like a pop act. So the two men took matters into their own hands. They changed their identities to Brains McLoud and Silibil aka Silibil 'N Brains and gave themselves an American background. The story they created was that they were from California and had got kicked out of school. Also, that they were in the U.K. trying to get their rap careers off the ground and had ran out of money. They based the personalities for their new selves off of their favorite celebrities, Jim Carrey and Chris Tucker and adopted American accents when they rapped. The changes got the duo the fame they were looking for and a whole lot more.

The duo were eventually offered a $350,000 record deal with Sony U.K. and they were supposed to record three albums. In their music they dropped hints as to their false identities, planning to eventually unveil the truth themselves. However, their lies began to take off in ways they couldn't imagine. One example, is that the duo lied and said that they were close friends with mega controversial rapper Eminem. Then they ended up having to open up for the rapper on one of his U.K. tours. To save face they randomly walked up to Em and his crew backstage and luckily were embraced with no problems. Not all of their tall tales would be so easy to cover up though. The group appeared on former MTV show TRL and fans immediately began to call them out on their true origins. The guys had to work overtime to shut down message boards and sites to try and keep their secret safe. The duo's fake life started to take it's toll. They had a violent falling out amongst each other and ended up having to isolate themselves from friends and family. The group met it's decline when Boyd couldn't take the pressure of keeping up the facade anymore and went back to Scotland to marry his girlfriend and reunite with his family. The two obviously lost their music deal and were in danger of being sued by Sony. Despite everything, Bain retained his character and used it to falsely secure odd jobs. He said that he just couldn't let go of the benefits that his American character gave him. He ended up on welfare and became so addicted to drugs and alcohol that he nearly died. Finally after surviving his close call, Bain was ready to come completely clean. He did so in 2007 at a debut show he had with his new music group, Hopeless Heroic. He reported that the crowd reaction was mixed, some people were upset and others were sympathetic. He has since released a book called California Schemin' that chronicles the whole story in full detail.

I spotted this story over at NPR and was amazed that two guys would go through such great lengths to get put on as rappers. Also, I was shocked at how much they were able to get away with. Especially after the whole TRL fiasco. So I dug a little deeper and found that some are saying that this story itself is a hoax. It was told by Bain in order to sell the book and land a movie deal or two. Which if that is the case, it's a pretty extreme venture also. But proving to be successful as people are scooping up the book and movie talk is surfacing. So what do you guys think? Did two Scottish dudes pull a fast one on the Hip-Hop community or is Mr. Bain scamming us all? Leave your thoughts in the comments section and let me know something. -MinM

Jadakiss F/ TL Cross - "All Falls Down"

2010-07-19T19:47:00-04:00

Back in April, I did the review for this track. It was a decent cut, so decided to check out the video as well. Is the video as good as the track though? Let's click play and find out.

The video opens with shots of Jadakiss and his crew entering a dimly lit club. This is followed by a solo shot of Kiss in a hallway and then a solo shot of TL Cross sitting amongst a group of people. From here we see shots of TL hanging out in a stairwell and then some shots of some video vixens getting down in the stairwell as well. The first verse finally kicks in and Jada does his thing amongst the people in the club. Also, he and TL do some hanging out in a hallway of sorts in front of an exit door. Things take on a BET Uncut type of feel from this point, as scantily clad women are shown in the club on the pole and in an apartment with Jada counting large amounts of money. Some of the earlier scenes repeat until the end and that is pretty much all there is to this video.

This video is fair but I feel that Jadakiss could have done so much more. The video does provide an accurate visual for the song, but at the same time it seems so low budget and typical. I mean Kiss has never been real flashy or anything but he has done some quality videos in the past. He really could have took the creativity up a notch on this one. As is, it seems like he did just enough to get the job done, nothing more and nothing less. In the end, I'd say just spin the track and forget this disappointment of a video. As Kiss works on his new album Top 5, Dead or Alive; I hope he does a better job of bringing his top game on all levels. And on another note, TL can sing but he looks weird as hell, lol. -MinM

Maine Event - "Goodbye"

2010-07-18T20:13:00-04:00

"Goodbye"

It's always a treat to luck up on good music. And that is exactly what happened when I ran across this track via Twitter, so had to share. This artist's name is Maine Event and he hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The production here is hot and was done by The Best Kept Secret. It has a strong/low bass line and contains a sample from the song "Give Up Your Guns." "Give Up Your Guns" was originally done by a 1970's rock group called The Buoys and then it was also redone by Detroit rapper Royce Da 5'9. The hook is simple, as it is just the sample repeated over the beat. Which isn't always the best idea on a track, but it works in this case. Can't quite figure out why, but it just seems to compliment the flow of things. The verses are on point and definitely compensate for the light hook. Maine Event has a solid delivery and some clever wordplay. Only complaint is that at some parts, it is a little hard to understand what is being said. But that is easily fixed by slowing down the cadence and/or working on enunciation. Overall, this track is hot and definitely worth a few spins. It will be featured on Maine Event's upcoming mixtape, Just Ran From The Plantation. Just Ran From The Plantation will be released on August 12, 2010 courtesy of MDR (Music Done Right) Records. -MinM

Seven Blazin' Summertime Joints That Aren't "Summertime"

2010-07-17T00:14:24-04:00

During June, July, and August (and even including a few sweat-inducing days in late May), the temperatures rise stratospherically, and as a result, we trade in our rugged Timberlands for sandals and kicks, dump our hot chocolate in favor of chocolate ice cream cones, and Sunday home-cooked dinners turn into outdoor brunches and barbecues on the beach. The extended daylight recharges our energy, and as a result, are moods are livelier and happier (take that, winter depression!).

Music connoisseurs like as myself tend to mentally compile and shuffle personal soundtrack for every mind frame, mood, or place that we’re in. Of course, this includes the summertime, and I’m sure that the eponymous, Grammy Award winning 1991 hit by DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince lands in everyone’s top 5 “summer jam” list (you know, that track that you HAVE to play at least three times during these sultry months because it captures how fly you thought you were when you finally threw on a pair of fresh, white Air Force Ones for the first time all year, or that euphoric feeling doing the Electric Slide with your grandmother during one of your weekly cookouts). But you know what? There are some other songs that also effectively encapsulate those special summertime moments. Check out the joints I’ve listed that serve that purpose for me. This isn’t a numbered, all-inclusive list, but you will see something old, something new, something borrowed, and something…Drake. You’ve been warned.

“Ice Cream”- Raekwon f/ Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and Cappadonna

I was just a chocolate deluxe in training when this song debuted. However, the concoction is mainstay on my summer playlist because it’s a humorously blatant reminder of how the hot sun brings the wolves out: you know, the brothers itching to get a minute (literally, haha) with the fly honey traipsing the city streets rocking those tight, denim short-shorts. Even as a young girl, I knew that if a dude came at me the way that Starky Luv or Cappa did on the track that he would not get any play from me (“I love you like I love my d*ck size” ? No, thanks!) except a big smile for making me laugh.

“Living Dangerously”- Bounty Killer f/ Barrington Levy

I’m a Brooklynite, born and raised in the sections of Crown Heights and Bed-Stuy, to be exact. The Caribbean population in my home borough and their culture played a huge part in my development, so any personal soundtrack that I could create - be it summertime or anything else- would be incomplete and unbalanced if I didn’t include any reggae or dancehall on it. Every time I hear Bounty Killer cry, “Lawdamercy” when the music start, my hips snap into auto-gyrate, whether I’m in the street or the subway. In my adult life, living dangerously may be traveling solo to some land where I don’t speak the language just for the hell of it, or involving myself in a summer fling with Mr. Good Time Guy. However, when I was young, living dangerously meant getting my pepa seed, heel toe, the butterfly and of course, the inevitable whine up with my homegirls during the annual West Indian Day (Labor Day) Parade on Eastern Parkway while my parents were out of eyesight. And who doesn’t want to walk on the wild side when the air is sizzling?

"Go L (What Recession)"- Likwuid Stylez

I added this one to the list not only because the free-spirited lyrics or the bounce-inducing, go-go beat, but also due to the fact that I’m still getting the ever-tiring question from my peers and friends, “where are the female emcees? Where the ladies at?” This joint is one of the first singles off of Likwuid’s newly released album, Gummy Bears and Champagne. I’m sure females as well as the dudes will find this worthy of repeat play while joyriding in your car at midday, speakers at full blast with the windows rolled all the way down.

“Fancy”- Drake f/ T.I. and Swizz Beatz

I was one of those people who adamantly refused to play into the oversaturation of Drake—and I still am. However, after hearing this spun in a club this past 4^th of July, I fancied that I had to make it Summer Anthem 2010. Sometimes, the onset of a new season can mean a new start or stepping one’s game up to a new level, and you gotta love a man that praises the ladies who work hard to better themselves – not to please a man but to satisfy themselves (yup, the “diploma-holders” and the “homeowners”).

"Genius of Love"- Tom Tom Club

Truthfully, there’s only one sentence I want to write for this song: This joint is Summer. Forgive me for sounding whimsical, but it’s almost as if the sun's rays were intertwined with the guitar stings, releasing endorphins straight into your ear. Okay, enough of that- this song makes me feel happy to be alive, no matter what time of year it is. Some kids may have vibed to the song for the first time while showing off their moves at the famous Skate Key roller rink, but I took to it years after its initial introduction, hearing it while playing within earshot of a radio during my summer vacation (and subsequently attempted to imitate the video with my paper and Magic Markers after the first time I saw it on television – go figure, I was a bit weird). It intrigued me then because, as a five-year-old, I didn’t know what the heck the Tom Tom Club was singing about—just the fact that the song made me want to dance while chanting “Bohannon! Bohannon! Bohannon!” before I knew anything substantial about disco music. However, when I became a preteen, I realized I wasn’t the only kid gung-ho about “Genius of Love” after watching my peers run around in tune after the amusement parks started playing this song incessantly after its debut (which, cleverly sampled the predecessor in order to make an even bigger hit).

“Follow Me”- Aly-Us

Yes, this song has a great message of love and peace, but you know what it conjures in my mind? Cheeseburgers! To this day, Aly-Us has rocked every single barbecue I have attended in my lifetime-without fail. Drink in hand, women and men of all ages caught the spirit, jumping to their feet to shake their bodies as soon as that familiar bass dropped. Family members of mine would head-nod to beat while flipping raw meat on the grill or digging through water coolers to hand out “quarter waters” to us kids. Every time I hear this, I am forever reminded that the summer is not only for my solo adventures, but for making time to break bread with the ones who unconditionally love me.

“Buddy” (Remix)- De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, Monie Love, Queen Latifah

As previously stated in this post, when the mercury’s rising, the clothes shed, the bodies are revealed, and smiles are shared in the street between path crossers as opposed to the ice grills they have been accustomed to throwing at each other to match the earlier, sub-zero weather. Not only was this song another roller-rink/barbecue staple, but it depicts that flirty spirit of the season (similar to “Ice Cream”, but on a more coy level), as brothers and sistas alike are hunting for a “buddy” to have “all in [their] mix” (at least, for awhile). Plus, it samples “Heartbeat” by Taana Gardner, a party jam that surpasses being on just a “summer jam” list.

… yeah… I had to do it… (Wanda, this is for you!)

Thoughts or questions about my list? Wanna tell me what's on your playlist? Don't be afraid to do so in the "Comments" section and please share this post with your friends, maybe it'll invoke some fond summer memories for them!