Tha 'A' Side

We've Moved

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:27:00 +0000

For nearly two years this has comfortably been my home and while it was awesome, there's a new location for Tha 'A' Side:

HTTP://THAASIDE.COM

Video: "J. Dilla: Still Shining" Documentary

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:51:00 +0000

The anticipation for this has been building up the last few weeks after Brian "B. Kyle" Atkins announced that he was releasing this project.

"J Dilla: Still Shining" is a project that, according to B. Kyle's Vimeo page, was:

Created in 2006, this remembrance piece is created as a tribute to the memory and legacy of James "J.Dilla" Yancey. This is a piece designed for his fans and supporters who knew of his accomplishments before February 2006 and those that have grown to appreciate his genius. Here, we gain a greater insight and understanding about our musical icon.

If you got an hour to spare (even if you don't make an hour to spare) and check this out.

Dilla Says Go - J Dilla

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:13:00 +0000

It's easy to Fall in Love with different musical Players; and throughout the years everybody, from Hoc N Pucky to Beej 'N Dem have tried to Lock It Down.

Many were around only long enough to say Hi. and Bye., but there's always that one You Can't Hold a Torch to, the King of this producing thing, if you will.

First Time I came across this guy was this day, five years ago when Donuts dropped and I remember thinking "this Sounds Like Love, other producers could never make Nothing Like This" only to read in the paper a few days later that he had his Last Donut of the Night.

It is kind of hard to Estimate the amount of People his MPC has affected, but it's crazy how a few Bars & Twists of samples could change hip-hop's History and show the world What It's All About.

They say you never know what you Got 'Til It's Gone, this is true, I Don't Know why we Hold Tight and never Take Notice and give them proper Shouts while they're here — maybe one of you can Tell Me. I do know his Friends and The New Waves of fans (like me) won't Stop Scheming to keep The Conversation going and his Lightworks Shining.

The Diff'rence between him and others, he's the producer's producer.

So Give It Up for J Dilla and Think Twice before you deny his talent; and when the next Pay Day comes, take your Milk Money and go cop somethin'.

Happy Dilla Day, y'all.

#RaiseItUp.

Flashback: "Move" - Oh No feat. J Dilla & Roc C

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:12:00 +0000

#DillaDay

Photo: Fantastic

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:03:00 +0000

#RapTaughtMe, Pt. 1

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 01:03:00 +0000

Initially I was going to do this series on my Tumblr page, but after talking to a few people, it was easier to post it on here. #RapTaughtMe is going to explain why I think rappers and journalists are more alike than they are different. Below is the first post done a few weeks ago.

I love hip-hop … rap … rhyming, whatever you want to call it.

To know me or to know of me that’s the second thing you know about me.

The first thing would be that I’m a writer, journalist, blogger, scribe, nosey (whatever).

Today I realized that rappers and journalists are more alike than I ever thought. This is the first of a few posts, possibly five (maybe more, maybe less), that will talk about why I feel hip-hop and journalism aren’t that different.

The similarities go beyond the idea both use words as weapons and vehemently deliver them to unsuspecting audiences who will either love, hate and repeat the same sentences, slowly infecting other people with what they say.

Let’s start with the supersaturation of both fields. Emcees I know, often talk about how the industry has become overrun with the Waka’s, Gucci’s, Roscoe Dash’s and Soulja Boy’s of the world. They say real MC-ing doesn’t get half as much attention from labels, radio or even rap fans. Emcees hustle for years, decades even, to be heard and here comes a guy who gets his speech chopped and screwed, performs on a hip-hop award show, and everyone is hiding their kids and wives.

Rapper is to Emcee as Blogger is to Journalist.

If you’re in journalism school (and at least a junior), when you entered, your professors were still probably talking about how journalists are trying to decide if they are ready to conform. Seasoned journalists are desperately trying to hold on to the traditional values that have shaped who they are, when the reality is, blogging is where the money is and the quickest way to gain, track and interact with readers.

Blogging made writing famous, which may be why writers tend to hate/discredit bloggers. Bloggers are the YouTube rappers to most journalists, (in a few cases) they didn’t put in half the work, internships or clips many formally trained journalists did, yet they’re taking the few available jobs because a byline with their name on it would attract more readers.

It’s the same as a socially conscious, lyrically awesome rapper making that one song with the catchy hook that downplays their talent because

a) they need some type of money coming in to pay for the studio, the album graphic, etc.

b) it’s what the people want.

It’s a money game and when money gets involved reality hits. No matter how much you love it, at the end of the day bills have to be paid and you have to eat.

It’s the beginning of compromise.

New: The Virus - KetchP feat. Guilty Simpson and Xplicit Lyric

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:20:00 +0000

It was spring last year around the release of 'Follow the Drip' that I first heard Street Justice and so fondly remember the "you have got to be sh*tting me" responses I got from admitting that.

Not too long ago it was announced that one of the group's members, Ketchphraze, was releasing his solo project at some point this year but to build anticipation and buzz around it, he's leaking joints that he's done until the project's relase.

"The Virus" is the first in a series of leaks and it was produced by Black Milk and features Guilty Simpson and Xplicit Lyric. Sounds like an awesome a** combination right?

The Dude - Chuck Good

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 00:05:00 +0000

Chuck Good is back again with another edition of the Red Cup Session.
The hip-hop party and showcase has been going strong for over a year now and kicking off the year is the Red Cup New Year's Edition.

I got the chance to attend the last one (and even wrote about it for RDW), and while Chuck #fries me on the regular to the point I'm sometimes scared to believe anything he says, I really admire the work he has put in.

While the Red Cup sessions have been deemed "high school" by some, it's actually a pretty good showcasing of what younger, aspiring artists are capable of. When the sessions first started, the crowd was made up of about a hundred people, now more than 400 people have been to them and it's expected to keep getting larger.

The Red Cup New Year's Session will be at The Shelter (the basement of St. Andrew's Hall) on January 7th. If you're in high school, it's hte perfect way to destress one more time before classes relaly kick your behind and if you're in college it's a great way to come, kickback, and show support.

Some of the performers include Buzz Burrus, Chip$, GBaby, Jsun, Key Wane, Big Shan, Chuck Good (of course) and more.

The event will be hosted by Lawrence Lamont and the DJ for the evening will be the awesome Ro Spit.

Round of Applause - Black Milk

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 22:12:00 +0000

My iTunes library has grown quite a bit in 2010...homegrown, that is.
Of all the albums, mixtapes, songs that I've gotten my hands on this year, about 97% of them have been from a local rapper.

You're not experiencing déjá vu, I've said something similar numerous times. I've been so caught up in Detroit hip-hop this year that I've kind of ignored everything else.
That being said, Rick Ross, The Roots, Big Boi and Kanye have released some pretty good albums this year (from what I've been told :-/ ). So when I decided I'd do my top four favorites, I'd pick my top four Detroit albums, it's only fair.

Why four? Five was too hard (plus I have a thing for even numbers. My blog. My Rules).

Before I get into the top four some honorable mentions are Marv Won's 'Wayne Fontes Music', Street Justice's 'Go HAAM', Nametag's 'The Name Is Tag' and Moe Dirdee's 'M.O.E. (Mark of Excellence)'. I've heard The Left's Gas Mask is pretty awesome, but I haven't heard it yet (I know slacking).

4. Crown Nation - House Shoes presents Blue Mondays/Slut Bag Edition Double EP: I swear people don't talk about Crown Nation enough. Quelle and Denmark Vessey. I've written about these two fellows a little while ago, and stand by my claim that people are heavily sleeping on them. This Double EP, combines the best of both Crown Nation worlds, "Blue Mondays" was Quelle's solo project while "Slut Bag Edition" was a Crown Nation baby. The song that got me hooked was "The Archie Whitewater Interlude" which is on Slut Bag Edition, maybe it's their hip-hop quirkiness mixed with old school flavor and manipulation of simple flows and cool lyrics that makes them dope.

3.Miz Korona - The Injection: Though it dropped back during this summer, I officially got injected November 15 ( I remember the date because I had jury duty that day). I was dead determined to get a hard copy of that album and yes it took that long. Miz Korona is one of the artists I've gotten to know this year; I've seen her perform several times and simply ran into her on a few other occasions. One of the first songs I heard by her was "Like a Zoo," which is featured on this album, and I was pretty much captivated by her rhymes. She attacks bars with a spitfire delivery and pretty excellent word play; it's impossible to listen to The Injection without rewinding a song's verse to make sure you heard her right. The entire album (with the exception of Cookin') was produced by Chanes, who I have officially stopped sleeping on, and is possibly the best 40 minutes of your life.

2. Danny Brown - The Hybrid: His jeans are tight but his rhymes are tighter. Ok, corny, but Danny Brown is way beyond a lot of his peers and The Hybrid should have been an album I paid for, I feel like I cheated the system. The Hybrid was my first time hearing anything by Danny Brown; I didn't know who he was, what he'd done, nothing. The only thing I knew was that my Twitter timeline was going haywire over this guy's album and I found out why. Danny Brown tells some interesting tales through his lyrics many of which are relatable hood tales like "Thank God" which makes mentions of Bridge and WIC cards or "Juno" which hits the nail on the teen pregnancy head. Production isn't half-assed either, Red Bull 's 2010 Big Tune Producer 14KT did a track as well as the aforementioned guys of Crown Nation, Mosel, Nick Speed, Chuck Inglish ... The Hybrid bleeds awesomeness.

1. Black Milk - Album of the Year: When Black Milk named this album the last thing he was doing was exagerrating. AOTY is the best $10 I ever spent. Upon its release, AOTY came in at #129 on the Billboard 200, which is a pretty dope accomplishment. Sometimes when producers decide to step behind the mic it's not always the greatest (and if it is, someone else wrote it for them), but Black did a damn good job lyrically on this album. That could be because producers know their music, they know how to to ride their beats if no one else does. 'Album of the Year' gets personal, as he discusses the passing of Baatin and his aunt and almost losing Hex, but also has hints of cockiness and arrogance. My favorite thing about the album is the beats; Black Milk does this thing with drums, I can't really describe it, but you know that thing I'm talking about if you've listened to it. If he wanted it to be, 'Album of the Year' could have been an instrumental album (but you know how that goes when wack rappers think instrumental albums give them a right to drop wretched 16s, I digress). The only cohesive statement I can make on Album of the Year: it is awesome, Black Milk did an amazing job on it both production and lyrically, and it may be too early to call it, but in a few years AOTY will be on the list of classic hip-hop albums ... even if it's only in the 313.

Video: Ooo La La La [Live on Soul Train] - Teena Marie

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 17:37:00 +0000

Well, if you haven't heard by now, legendary blue-eyed soul singer Teena Marie passed away Sunday morning from what appears to be natural causes.

Her daughter discovered her body in the bedroom of the singer's home who passed away in her sleep. It has been reported (though I haven't seen it confirmed anywhere) that she may have passed away after having a seizure (she has suffered from these before).

Teena Marie had one of the most soulful voices. I've seen people referring to her as the "Blackest White Girl" and speaking with my Mom, she said when Teena Marie's album first dropped, her label decided to not put her on the cover because they weren't sure how people were going to react to a White girl with such a powerful voice.

Not sure how true that is, but one could believe it.

Her passing comes about four years after that of Rick James, a constant collaborator.

Now Fire & Desire may rest peacefully.

Some Guys Win 'Em All - Ron Dance

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 19:09:00 +0000

Last year, the city embraced his beard, this holiday season it's all about his vest but on December 29th, it'll be all about Ron Dance as he celebrates his __ birthday and album release for Flidelphia's 'The In Crowd' (a duo comprised of Ron Dance and producer Nameless).


Plush Lounge (13090 Inkster Rd, Redford, MI) \| 21+ \| $10

The event will be hosted by one of Michigan's favorite fellows (and Dance's 101 counterpart) Ro Spit .

Let me back up a second, if you're not familiar with Ron Dance go look at any Detroit music video that came out this year like Ro Spit's "Renaissance State of Mind", Dwele's "What's Not to Love", Marv Won's "Totally Awesome", Miz Korona's "Playground", Paradime's "Lovely Day" and simply look for a beard.

Besides being a highly sought after local video vixen, he hosts the uStream live webcast The Ron Dance Show every Sunday at 9:30 p.m. mostly known for the outrageous amount of alcohol, random conversations, stories with no punchlines and home to the phrase Struck by Chuck, the Ron Dance Show is as real as real life can get.

I've been a guest on that show twice and please believe me when I say ... that it's 100% real, unscripted and makes Monday and your liver HATE you.

I'm Straying.

Someone asked me why they should attend the album release party for someone who the entire city says can't rap.

I'll tell you why.

While his rap career has been the butt of many jokes (and I do mean plenty, so much so he chose to embrace the concept on his last EP, Some Guys Win 'Em All), Ron Dance can throw a heck of a party.

In July, there was the Ron Dance Experience at TV Lounge and it defied every law of life there is because whilst no one likes his raps, the place was packed inside and out.

This will probably be the last time for 2010 your favorite locals will all be in one place drinking merrily and chatting it up before the New Year.

PLEASE leave the "I gotta mixtape" and "What's up on a feature/RDW cover/blog post" talk at the door. I can't speak for everyone else but do know, that I will indeed ignore you and carry on with my Corona for the night.

Bottom line: Be there. It'll be fun.

New: "It's On" - The Academy

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:19:00 +0000

You know how you always hear about something but aren't really sure about it?

Enter The Academy.

I can't tell you how I heard about them, when I heard about them or what I've heard by them, all I know is I'm familiar with them.

But any person knows there's only so long you can ignore something and I saw it on Twitter, got a DM about it and an e-mail and I had no choice but to listen to their track "It's On" by The Academy's Mahd, A.Will and featuring Regime's ART.

Apparently "It's On" is The Academy's motto.

It celebrates their readiness for wherever their talents take them and whatever comes their way. The world is incredibly critical but The Academy ... is up for the challenge.

I rarely quote the e-mails I get but for some reason this stuck out. I like the track, it reminds me of summer and with the terribly gloomy winter weather Michigan has been hit with it's a major plus. Check out "It's On" by Mahd, A. Will and ART and let me know what you think.

Click here to download "It's On"

Music Video: Detroit - Pato Margetic

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 17:58:00 +0000

Motown. Motor City. The D. Rock City.

The list kind of goes on with nicknames for Detroit and lately it seems people have been fighting back the negative images often associated with the city.

Film companies and TV shows have been taking advantage of the opportunites here, Johnny Knoxville went on his own little Motor City Tour and of course you have the douzens of blogs that help promote and support the city in some kind of way.

Eminem did it in "Beautiful" and Kid Rock did it with "Roll On" and Pato Margetic keeps the support going with this video for his song "Detroit". Besides the song itself acting as an ode to the city, the video captures some pretty great shots of familiar and less-known places in Motown.

I sort of stumbled across him (sort of had him pushed in my face), he's a rather talented musician from with a pretty awesome voice.
He released his album 'On My Own' this year and I must say I'm quite pissed I let this guy slip under the radar for so long.

Point is, Pato Margetic is kind of awesome, someone you should watch out for and you can begin by watching his video and seeing what you recognize (or what you don't).

Music Video: Can't Stand It - Mr. Chief

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 17:36:00 +0000

The entire world knows I'm clearly a month behind on life.
(Hey, you go to school full-time, work on graduating and transferring, work part-time, freelance and then come holla).

About a month a go, a rapper by the name of Mr. Chief dropped a music video for his joint "Can't Stand It" featuring Guilty Simpson and Wrekonize of iMAYDAY and was produced by Miami Beat Wave.

This is Chief's first video off his upcoming project 'Assuming Power' scheduled to drop sometime after the New Year (how soon after, I don't know).

Heard 'Em Say - Kanye West

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 04:00:00 +0000

2010 is over (give or take two weeks). My final video blog for the end of the beginning of the decade. 2010 put into a quick perspective.

Supermodel - Ru Paul

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 18:50:00 +0000

Like hip-hop, the fashion industry is overlooked in the Motor City.

Last Saturday, fashion industry professionals and hopefuls gathered at 5E Gallery for Design.Define.Detroit.

DDD was more than just a fashion show, as we see so often in the underground Detroit circuit, it featured a panel discussion that included Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh, Jenny Lee of Allied Media Group and Hajj Flemings of Brand Camp University.

The most talked about topic was what it took to establish a garment district in Detroit and according to Charles Pugh, there used to be a garment district in Detroit, but we now know it as Harmonie Park.

My favorite quote from the panel came from Hajj Flemings:

No one can write the Detroit story like Detroiters can.

Discussion wasn't the only thing happening, there were fashion shows as well which featured both stylists (like Benny Lee and Fanciee) and designers such as Eugenia Paul.

I have to give it up to the events organizers Piper Carter and Ris Tena; I know 5E Gallery had some unexpected issues happen just days before DDD but they pulled off an amazing event.

In short, I loved it.

From my understanding they're doing another event next year and I really hope so.

It's always nice to be in the same room as so many motivated individuals and to see the look on the designers faces after their collection has finished the runway is pretty cool.

Fashion is an interesting industry; there are no rules, just creating and that's completely underrated.

Let Me Get 'Em - Octane & Illite

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 17:16:00 +0000

By now, I hope you are all pretty familiar with Burn Rubber Sneaker Boutique, the small sneaker shop with a big clientele serving Metro Detroit (or the world?) nestled cozily in Downtown Royal Oak.

BR probably has one of the most recognized logos in the state for sure and on November 26, Chef So Ill will have a closer ear to the street. Burn Rubber x Nike will be releasing the Burn Rubber New Balance MT580, what's even more crazy than the fact they will be releasing their own shoe, there are only 1,000 pairs that will be made 500 of which will be in the United States. Same exclusivity the Air Yeezy had, #BallerStatus.

Burn Rubber has been around since 2004 and in the hands of its current owners, Rick Williams and Ro Coit (yup, Ro Spit), since 2007.

I've said this a million and three times, you can't help but respect Rick and Ro for everything they've accomplished with the Burn Rubber brand. Whether your a sneakerhead or not (like myself) you definitely could lear a thing or two from them.

Speaking of sneakerheads, November 27 (the day after the BR New Balance drops), there's going to be "the ultimate sneakerhead event" going down at St. Andrew's Hall.

'What's Your Size' will be going down and there will be giveaways, contests and all that cool stuff. Doors open at 7 p.m. and if you want to show off what you have give BR a call (248.543.3000) for table rental info.

Immediately following that we have "Yours Truly" a concert featuring Ro Spit and Stretch Money with a live band (rap and live bands usually equal awesomeness). It's 18+, tickets are being sold in advance at BR and if you cop the VIP tickets, you'll also get a ticket to the aforementioned sneaker swap.

Come, check it out. It should be a good time.

Music Video: Ambiguous - Mike Posner & Big Sean

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 23:23:00 +0000

As 2010 winds down and 2011 rears its head, we slowly begin to reflect on the year and how it's been.

I wonder what Big Sean and Mike Posner have to say for themselves?

Just turn on the radio or open a magazine and you'll see on of them; which is pretty cool for some 20-something guys from Detroit.

At the beginning of Fall they both dropped major projects, Mike dropped his iTunes chart topping '31 Minutes to Takeoff' and Big Sean released his highly anticipated mixtape 'Finally Famous Vol. 3'.

Mike Posner and Big Sean have collaborated several times ("Who Knows," "Cooler Than Me" (the original) and "Smoke and Drive" to name a few) and if I remember one of Big Sean's tweets correctly, they may just have something brewing.

Things are looking good (#punintended) for them and even better in their first music video together "Ambiguous" presented by Karmaloop. Check it out.

"Ambiguous" Music Video from KarmaloopTV on Vimeo.

Music Video: Shook Ones - Diggy

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 22:51:00 +0000

Yes, you read that title accurately, America's favorite young Simmons has decided to tackle the classic Mobb Deep track "Shook Ones, Pt. II" from their 1995 album, 'The Infamous'.

Aside from the fact that Diggy was born the same year this dropped, I must say what he's doing is interesting. I think Diggy is trying to cover his tracks across the board. What I mean is, he doesn't want to be Lil' Bow Wow, he wants his market to be bigger and I think he thinks tackling classics could be the way to garner attention from the older generations.

I could be wrong.

If you remember a while ago, he tackled Nas' "Made You Look" which is what got a lot of people looking him at more than just the Reverend's son. He then got signed, dropped a mixtape, did a few bars in the BET Hip-Hop Awards cypher, the list kind of goes on for the kid.

Six Feet Under the Stars - All Time Low

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 23:10:00 +0000

Next Tuesday, one of the most awesomest chicks I know will be another year older.

@six_two is probably one of the hardest working people I've ever met, she manages two rappers, a Christian singer and a fitness model (talk about variety), promotes events ... I'm sure it'll be easier to make a list of the things she doesn't do.

She's helped quite a few of us so what better way to help her celebrate her birthday?

Tonight at the Bullfrog (5 mile & Telegraph), is the Sixer 2.0, an 18+ affair, hosted by Ron Dance and featuring performances by: Moe Dirdee, Suai, Jwan, Buzz Burrus, and more.

$5 for the 21+ crowd
$10 for the under 21 crowd.
*at midnight there will be a flat entry fee of $10 for everyone*
Come, enjoy yourselves, live a little.

Music Video: Flossin' & Bossin' - Jscriptz

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 22:33:00 +0000

Straight Flush Giant, Jscriptz, dropped the video for "Flossin' & Bossin'" off his upcoming project 'Vanishing Point'.

This is the second video Jscriptz has released the first one, "Here I Go," was released at the beginning of Fall and was shot "Guerilla style" through Downtown Detroit.

Jscriptz keeps that whole raw and uncut theme going with the "Flossin' & Bossin'" video which is mostly footage from him recording at the studio mixed in with some clips kickin' it with friends.

Check out both videos below.

Here I Go

The Wizard - Danny Brown

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 22:02:00 +0000

I like rap and I like Harry Potter; so when I stumbled across this video of a Wizarding Rap Battle between Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort I couldn't help but post it.

With Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, Pt. 1 releasing next week, this kind of all ties together.
It's entertaining, but if you never read a HP novel or seen a few of the movies a lot of the "reasons this is awesome" will go over your head.

And yes, I am well aware that my dorkiness is showing ... but I'm cool with that.

Music Video: Too Fake - Big Sean

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 21:38:00 +0000

Big Sean has been getting hit with the leaks lately. Since the spring, a lot of his tracks have hit the internet before they could even be mastered—like the "Made" feat. Drake or the more recent "I Don't Think They Want It" (which hit the net yesterday).

He doesn't seem to let that phase him much as he released the music video for "Too Fake," a track featuring Chiddy Bang off Big Sean's latest mixtape 'Finally Famous Vol. 3'

Check it out below.

Music Video: Cyclops - Danny Brown

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:20:00 +0000

Skinny jeans and long braids don't exactly equate to respect in the rap game, but Danny Brown gets a pass.

Danny Brown isn't a "new boy" rapper in fact he's the exact opposite.

His unique lyrical talents have landed him on features with eLZhi, Black Milk, Guilty Simpson, Buff 1, Marv won and even dropped a few bars on the lateset Dilla project, Jay Stay Paid ... actually it's easier to pick who he hasn't worked with.

Danny Brown's affiliations with Tony Yayo have led many to suspect that the Hybrid will soon be signing to G-Unit, the rumors started getting heavy right around the release of Hawaiian Snow, a collaborative mixtape between Danny Brown and Mr. Yayo.

In the spirit of Halloween, Danny Brown dropped a new video "Cyclops" and not even going to lie, I did jump, just once. After watching that, make sure you download his [free] album 'The Hybrid' if you don't already have it.

New: Roman's Revenge - Nicki Minaj feat. Eminem

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Washington) — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 04:51:00 +0000

Nicki gets a lot of slack from a lot of different people.

I, for one, am not one of those people.

Where are her arms?

She has everyone from Amanda Bynes to the hoodrat down the street reciting her lyrics, biting her style and proved she was a force to be reckoned with as the dominate MC on Kanye West's "Monster" (which also features Jay-Z and Rick Ross).

You may hate her, but who else is making 50K a verse with no album out?

I'll wait.

Speaking of which, Nicki Minaj's debut album, Pink Friday, releases November 23rd and I am interested to see how it turns out.

The debut single "Your Love" wasn't typical Nicki, but catchy nonetheless.

Today a new track surfaced featuring everyone's favorite lyricist and number one MC, Eminem and produced by Swizz Beatz (seems like since wifing Alicia Keys, I'm seeing his name A LOT more, not that he wasn't around before, but never as noticeable ... at least to me).

This mix seems a bit strange but leave it to Eminem to address the doubtful:

It's Shady and Nicki Minaj, you might find this sight quite odd, but don't ask why b*tch ask why not

Here's "Roman's Revenge" - Nicki Minaj featuring Eminem (prod. Swizz Beatz)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD "ROMAN'S REVENGE"