The Essentials Of Cool

Big K.R.I.T. - King Remembered In Time Mixtape

2013-04-27T16:11:00.002-04:00

@BedstuyBetty Isn't Seeing The 20/20 Experience

2013-04-22T19:12:00.000-04:00

Justin Timberlake's The 20/20 Experience Reviewed By Bedstuy Betty

It’s late, it’s still brutally cold outside, and this rum in my glass isn’t lifting me up. I’m in need of something nostalgic but still smooth and danceable. Unfortunately for me, what my editor left in my inbox is not necessarily in line with my cravings. Like that bad case of hay fever you get indicating that Spring is near, Justin Timberlake is also trying to jump back into the swing of things with his new album The 20/20 Experience.

Initially, it was rather hard to sit through for one continuous listen. Mainly because Timberlake appears to clutch from a grab bag of different sounds from different eras, and then combine them in a manner that while valiant comes off messy. From the very first track “Pusher Love Girl”, it begins with a beautiful orchestral set only to come to a screeching halt with saccharine sweet modernized doo-wop. The next track, his breakout single “Suit and Tie” is pleasantly catchy, perfectly suited for wedding dance floors and other large functions. The addition of Jay-Z’s verse doesn’t do much to enhance the track and he sounds like he knows it with lazy delivery. The following song “Don’t Hold the Wall” surprisingly kept me body rolling. Timbaland’s production shines on this track as he effortlessly mixes bhangra rhythms, which provides a perfect background for JT’s vocals making something both hypnotic and sensual. A later track, “Tunnel Vision” is another seamless fusion of production and voice. Timberlake even laces the song with his beatbox stylings, which isn’t as corny as it would seem.

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Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

2013-03-28T19:52:00.003-04:00

I guess Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain are both Metal Gear Solid V. I have no clue what's going on. I'm so confused. Just enjoy the new trailer . . .

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DJ Charlie White - The Last Crate (Beat Tape)

2013-03-28T19:05:00.000-04:00

Torae - Admission Of Guilt Mixtape

2013-03-25T19:05:00.000-04:00

Flocking Together - Donald Byrd Leads The Jazz Jousters

2013-03-24T18:13:00.003-04:00

Happy Belated Birthday To The Greatest Ever

2013-03-22T21:07:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, Pete Rosenberg & Cipha Sounds of Hot 97 played wall to wall classic DJ Premier tracks in honor of his 47th birthday. There really isn't much to say, but enjoy and appreciate a legend while he is still with us!

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PBS - The Rise of Webcomics

2013-03-17T15:30:00.000-04:00

The internet has given birth to yet another new medium: webcomics. Moving beyond the restrictions of print, webcomic artists interact directly with audiences who share their own unique worldview, and create stories that are often embedded in innovative formats only possible online. Sometimes funny, sometimes personal, and almost always weird, web comic creators have taken the comic strip form to new, mature, and artistic heights.

Super Mario Bros. X Mobb Deep - Mario Deep by Teddy Faley

2013-03-06T21:19:00.002-05:00

Can geekery get more random than a mash-up of the Mario Bros. and Mobb Deep? Producer Teddy Faley and friends dropped some Havoc & Prodigy vocals over Mario samples.
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Woody's Produce - End Of The World (Instrumental LP)

2013-02-25T11:30:00.000-05:00

9th Wonder On Meeting Jay-Z & The Making Of Threat

2013-02-22T07:16:00.001-05:00

araabMUZIK - For Professional Use Only (Beat Tape)

2013-02-20T11:03:00.000-05:00

48 Hours With Action Bronson

2013-02-18T20:30:00.000-05:00

Madden Miles - Kate Upton Beat Tape

2013-02-18T12:22:00.000-05:00

DJ Charlie White - Proper Etiquette (Beat Tape)

2013-02-17T14:43:00.000-05:00

Woody's Produce - OutKast: Remixed

2013-02-15T10:44:00.000-05:00

OutKast may never put out another album, but that doesn't stop producer Wood's Produce from giving you a new take on some classic Big Boi & 3 Stacks tracks.

Action Bronson Is Officially On The All-Interview Team

2013-02-08T21:51:00.000-05:00

The Combat Jack Show: The Jon Caramanica Episode

2013-02-04T20:00:00.000-05:00

Combat Jack, Dallas Penn and the guys welcome New York Times culture critic Jon Caramanica to the show for a great discussion on Hip-Hop journalism and whether Rap Radar's Elliott Wilson is bought and paid for. Also, Just Blaze finally addresses the elephant in the room, Dallas Penn's haircut and a lot more. Basically, it's informative and funny. Just listen!
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Chase Moore - Shaken Not Stirred: A Beat Tape Of 007 Flips

2013-02-04T16:51:00.000-05:00

Adam Sessler Interviews God Of War Ascension Director

2013-02-01T23:45:00.002-05:00

Kratos in back in God of War Ascension, and he looks to be angrier than ever. After playing the game himself, Adam Sessler got a chance to talk to the game's diector about Kratos' new combat system, the game's new color palette, and much more.

Check Out More God of War: Ascension Gameplay Footage

2013-02-01T18:55:00.000-05:00

Last year Sony gave us a sneak peak at a few minutes of God Of War Ascension game play. Well, in preparation for the March 12th release date the folks over at Polygon have supplied 30 minutes of actual game play.
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Torae - What Does It All Mean (Music Video)

2013-01-30T21:02:00.004-05:00

Just Listen: Raekwon Visits The Combat Jack Show

2013-01-29T16:30:00.000-05:00

Raekwon stops by the Combat Jack Show to promote Lost Jewlry along with discussing how EPMD & The Hit Squad inspired he & Ghostface as well as all of the Wu.

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Pusha T - Wrath Of Caine Mixtape

2013-01-28T21:45:00.003-05:00

Raekwon - Lost Jewlry Mixtape

2013-01-28T20:17:00.000-05:00

*The Essentials Of Cool*