Those that know Diplo’s music understand that his production in an acquired taste. Diplo is widely known for his work with eccentrics like M.I.A., Santogold and Spankrock, but this “Free Gucci” mixtape may just get him a serious dose hood recognition. The beats are original and they bounce playfully, changing often. Oddly, Diplo’s production gives Gucci an old school feel even though the beats are decidedly futuristic. “Free Gucci” is totally worth your time and hard drive space. Download it here for free.

LIL KIM REMIXES RIHANNA’S “HARD” It is not unlikely that Lil Kim has not felt some kind of way watching a new female rap sensation hit the Hip-Hop scene. In 2010, Lil Kim comes out of the gate with a fresh remix of Rihanna’s “Hard,” where she raps and sings. Check it out.

While this isn’t a new mixtape, Bishop Lamont deserves this look. This dropped on Christmas eve and has been getting a buzz on the net. Check it out for free and Download it here!

ChartWatch for January 06, 2010   Welcome to 2010!  It’s a new year and a new decade for music and Hip Hop.  Last week we counted down the biggest sellers in Hip Hop for 2009 and Eminem’s Relapse came out on top.  This week we start the countdown off with another chartopping album. Since it’s debut last summer the Black Eyed Pea’s fifth album, The E.N.D, has not fallen out of the top fifty.  The group was the second highest selling Hip Hop act of 2009.  This week they make a jump from their position two weeks ago at the 19th spot and open up the year at number eight.  The group sells 47,000 copies this week proving that Hip Hop ain’t dead…it’s just been severely beaten and is in critical condition. Nah, just playing…I like a couple of Black Eyed Peas songs….a couple. The Peas are the only representative of Hip Hop in the top 10 this week so let’s move on to the top 50.  A couple of weeks ago I asked if Young Money could take the number one spot.  The answer was no.  I kind of expected that.  What I didn’t expect was for the group to chart as high as they are this week.  Lil’ Wayne and his Hip Hop collective sold 40,000 copies of We Are Young Money this week and claimed the number 12 spot. They are followed by 2009’s top seller, Eminem, whose rerelease of Relapse sold 39,000 units and claimed the 13th spot.  Em’s chart toping success with Relapse should definitely set the stage for the release of Relapse two later on this year. Next is the 3rd top seller for 2009, Jay-Z.  The self-proclaimed Best Rapper Alive moves another 24,000 copies of his latest album, The Blueprint 3.  On a side note the rapper has recently released videos for “On To The Next One” and “Young Forever.”  I like “On To The Next One” but can someone please tell me what that video is about.  And while you’re at it someone out there please tell me what the next artist is saying. (Damn I sound old). Radric “Gucci Mane” Davis takes the 32nd spot this week.  The State Vs. Radric Davis sells 17,000 copies which adds to the 125,000 copies the album sold the first two weeks after its release. About three weeks ago 50 Cent took a serious drop, from 21 to 42, and he hasn’t been in the top fifty since.  Even with that the Queens rapper still managed to grab the number 10 spot for highest selling Hip Hop artist for 2009.  Ever the fighter, the rapper’s fourth album, Before I Self Destruct, climbs up and grabs the 33rd spot by selling 16,000 copies this week.  It looks like 2010 is starting off in the right direction with more Hip Hop climbing into the top 50.  One can only hope the trend will continue.   Dropping This Week             This week we have an artist with whom everyone is pretty much familiar.  I will say one thing…dude got snubbed at the Grammy Nominations.  You take the mic, embarrass one teenage country star, and everyone wants to make it a big deal.  Ok, maybe he did deserve some hate because it was a jerk move.  However, at this point I think the world was mad enough…now give him his props.  Better yet, when he wins let Swift get up there and say that Soulja Boy had the record of the year.  Anyway, Kanye West releases his VH1 Storytellers album which contains both the music and a DVD of the show.  The album contains mostly music from his latest album 808s & Heartbreaks with a couple of extra songs and performances.  That’s the charts for this week.  I know how you guys feel about purchasing music so I’m not even going to ask.  But if you bootleg some Hip Hop play it for someone who might buy an album.  See you next week.

Some outtakes from Kanye West’s “VH1’s Storytellers” have leaked on the internet, but they are also going to be offered via in a CD/ DVD package. This is just a clip but the full DVD includes about 70 minutes of concert footage as well as a Q&A with Kanye.

The Year In SALES: ChartWatch for December 29, 2009       Hope everyone out there had festive holiday break.  Before we move forward into the New Year and close a decade let’s look back at the big sellers in Hip-Hop this year.       Even though I talked about him and that annoying voice last week, rap’s great hope, Eminem, has the best selling Hip-Hop album of 2009.  The Detroit MC’s return album, Relapse, sold 1,533,184 which puts Slim Shady at number one.  If you haven’t had a chance to pick up this album you can pick up Relapse: Refill which is the holiday re-release of the album with seven extra songs.  This paves the way for Relapse 2 which is supposed to be a little more serious than its predecessor.  Like I said last week, I wasn’t looking forward to Relapse 2 until I heard Em on Drake’s “Forever.” It’s nice to see he hadn’t lost his edge.  Plus there are rumors about him signing Slaughterhouse, which is a welcome change considering their sales.  (For the record, I like Slaughterhouse, but apparently I and a few of my friends are the only ones who actually bought the album.)       Next up is a group that causes a lot of discussion because fans like to debate whether they are truly Hip-Hop.  Even I talked about them for the first few weeks their album was on the charts.  Roughly five months later Will.I.Am, Fergie, and the other two guys continue to sell strong with their latest album never dropping out of the top 50 since its release.  The Black Eyed Pea’s fifth album sold 1,440,895 copies on the strength of strong singles like “Boom Boom Pow”, “I Gotta Feeling”, and “Meet Me Halfway.” I’m willing to say they are a definitive part of Hip- Hop…just not the part I listen to.  No matter what is said about them, the group had a successful year and is the second highest seller for Hip Hop in 2009.       Next up is Shawn Carter or Shawn Knowles-Carter if you believe the rumors.  Mock the man all you want because of talk of a possible name change but the Marcy MC managed to grab the spot for third highest seller in Hip Hop for 2009.  Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 sold 1,337,192 copies this year which helped to at least lessen talk that the Mogul MC had lost touch with “the streets” and Hip-Hop public.  This year Carter teamed up with Jada and Will Smith to produce a Broadway play on the life of Fela Kuti, announced the death of Autotune (Thanks Jay.), and had the whole world say “Why the F— is Lil’ Mama up there?” Things look bright for the New York MC but you never know what the future holds for Hip-Hop in the next decade.  With former friend and label mate Beanie Sigel (backed by the always determined 50 Cent) taking shots, every failed Autotune artist blaming the MC for being removed from the culture, and even Gucci Mane taking jabs the next year could bring some obstacles for Jay. We’ll see.       Here’s an MC that had a hard year.  He, however, just kept releasing music and eventually it paid off.  This is sure to get people talking in the comments section, but Rick Ross comes in at number four.  The South Florida representative sold 401,000 copies of his third album Deeper Than Rap.  This is on the heels of the buying public finding that Ross worked as a correctional officer, the original Freeway Ricky Ross chastising the rapper for using his name, and a very public feud with 50 Cent.  The latter feud had resulted in a series of songs and videos, most notably the release by 50 Cent of a p### involving the mother of Ross’ child and another video where 50 Cent plays host to more of Ross’ children their mother at Floyd Mayweather’s home.  That all sounds very damaging, and in most cases this would be a career ending move for a Hip Hop artist.  Ross, however, kept releasing music and pushed his album to the fourth highest selling in Hip Hop for 2009.  Seemingly in response to the fact that nothing stuck to him in 2009 the Miami MC is set to release Teflon Don in 2010.       This next one is actually a surprise to me.  I’m a big fan but didn’t actually think he came in that high.  Nonetheless, Jason Phillips, who may be better known as Jadakiss, comes in at number five for top selling Hip Hop for this year.  The Last Kiss sold 342,000 copies setting up the MC for his 2010 release, Top Five, Dead or Alive, and a new LOX album, New L.O.X Order.  It’s been a good year for Jada and the L.O.X with Jada beginning the year off with a new association with Jay-Z and even recent rumors of the LOX working with…P. Diddy.  (I’m thinking the same thing you’re thinking but I’ll keep it to myself.)        Next up is an MC that has taught a new generation how to misspell fabulous.  (Even I have to say it in my head to make sure I spell it right.  Fabolous dropped his fifth album in 2009 and started a whole new trend…Twitter beef.  Whether clowning Joe Budden’s real girl or an imposter T-Pain the Brooklyn MC offered fans plenty of comic relief.  Oh yeah, he also had an album featuring every major R&B artist with even the slightest association to Hip Hop.  Loso’s Way sold 270,000 copies with the help of singles “Throw It In The Bag” and “Money Goes, Honey Stays.” I’m not sure what Fabolous plans on doing in 2010 but hopefully it involves Twitter.       Now we have a funny one.  It’s funny because this next artist has been nominated for B.E.T. Awards (he actually won one), MTV Video Music Awards, Soul Train Awards, and is even up for two Grammys.  He doesn’t, however, have an actual album.  What he does have is a string of […]

There’s one life/One love/So there can only be one king –Nas “The Message”   Last year, AllHipHop.com held the first annual Kings of Hip-Hop. The purpose of the 4 part series was to select an artist from each region (East, West, South, and Midwest) that made the most lasting impact in 2009. While other factors such as business-savvy and promotional campaigns were considered, above all the quality of the music was the deciding factor for each winner. Without further adieu, let’s kick off matters with the region the originated the art form we all love, the East.   Inaugural 2008 Winner-Nas   As in 2008, it was the veterans who remained at the mainstream forefront of East Coast Hip-Hop. Jay-Z, Nas, and 50 Cent kept their names buzzing throughout the year; sometimes for great reasons (Blueprint 3, Distant Relatives), and other times for issues beyond the music (Nas-Kelis Divorce, 50-Rick Ross beef).   Unlike last year, this region had strong, critically-acclaimed music being offered for those who were wise enough to turn off the radio. Artists like Skyzoo (The Salvation), Marco Polo and Torae (Double Barrel), Wale (Attention Deficit), and The Clipse (Til the Casket Drops) are just some of the acts that showed the East has the talent and music quality to compete with any other region.     Jay-Z After a lukewarm 2008 reception to the single “Jockin’ Jay-Z,” and worry amongst fans about the quality of Blueprint 3, Jay-Z delivered a solid effort with BP3’s September release.   The Roc-Nation lead-off album was one of the most anticipated projects of the year, and its #1 Billboard debut gave Jay his 11th #1 album, shattering the previous solo act record held by Elvis Presley. The album has spawned 5 charting singles, 2 of which in the top 3 (“Empire State of Mind,” “Run This Town”).   Award-wise, Jay cleaned up in 2009 at the American Music Awards (Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist, Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album), the BET Hip-Hop Music Awards (Lyricist of the Year, Best Live Performer, MVP of the Year, and Hustler of the Year), and was named Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Artist of the Decade.   Outside the booth, the Brooklyn mogul kept in brand visible through smart marketing such as a taking Oprah to his old Marcy Projects stomping grounds, and performing “Empire State of Mind” with Alicia Keys during the World Series. Additionally, Jay joined Will Smith in backing the $11 million dollar Broadway production on the life of Afro-Beat founder and music legend Fela Kuti.   Despite a trio of vocal detractors (The Game, 50 Cent, Beanie Sigel) throughout the year, Jay-Z chose to ignore the shots outside of a few interview comments.   In 2010, look for him to build the Roc-Nation around new protégé J Cole.   Standout Songs: “What We Talkin’ About,” “Thank You,” “Empire State of Mind”     50 Cent With Before I Self-Destruct being plagued by pushbacks, 50 Cent utilized beefs with Rick Ross and Jay-Z to keep his name afloat throughout 2009.   The Rick Ross battle, ignited by the Miami emcees barbs on “Mafia Music,” spiraled away from traditional diss tracks to cartoon clips, video stalking of DJ Khaled’s mother, and Ross’ son’s mother joining forces with 50.   In June and July, 50 returned to his mixtape stomping grounds with the well-received War Angel, and the 90’s R&B throwback project Forever King.   When the Ross feud’s luster began to wane by summer’s end, 50 turned attention to Jay-Z, prompted by the Brooklynite’s declaration that “no one was afraid of 50 Cent.” Recruiting Beanie Sigel, 50 turned heads by unleashing the former Roc enforcer on his former mentor (“I Go Off”).   The Queens native capped his year with the release of his fourth studio album, Before I Self-Destruct. Due to the combination of numerous pushbacks, a month early leak, and mixed reviews, the project yielded him his lowest opening week sales ever (160,000, #5 on Billboard). For the first time, the perceived flop opened up the G Unit mogul to ridicule in an area he previously dominated.   Still, with a memorable beef and successful extracurricular activities like the Robert Greene assisted book The 50th Law, 50 Cent remained a visible fixture throughout Hip-Hop in 2009.   Standout Songs: “Psycho,” “Death to My Enemies,” “Get the Message”     Joe Budden Internet antics aside, Joe Budden put together a strong ledger of music in 2009.   In January, the Jersey City lyricist’s mouth got him in trouble with another emcee, this time Saigon. The two impressed fans with a gradual but distinct increase in lyrical potency with their series of disses, most notable Budden’s “Pain In His Life” and Saigon’s “Pushing Buddens.” Unfortunately, a truce rendered an anticlimactic cease-fire before a clear winner emerged.   The encounter served Budden well in promoting February’s Padded Room album. Despite questionable production choices, the LP’s earned solid marks for the honest, raw emotion of tracks like “In My Sleep” and “I Couldn’t Help It.”   A few months later, Budden challenged Method Man’s skills under the guise of their placements on Vibe’s Greatest Emcees of All Time list. After a few instigative interviews, Budden’s mouth would have dire consequences when a Wu-Tang entourage member assaulted him during a Raekwon interrogation at a Rock the Bells concert.   That same month, Joe Budden put the focus back on music. He gave his devoted fans another full-length LP in Escape Route, and his integral participation in the critically acclaimed Slaughterhouse debut.   The embarrassing blog soap opera saga with ex Tahiry and assault at the hands of Raekwon can’t be ignored, but these incidents are not enough to overshadow the work Budden put in behind the mic.   For 2010, let’s hope they hope the talk of Internet will be quality of the forthcoming The Great Escape, and not Budden’s latest over the top video blog.   Standout Songs: “Pain In His Life,” “I Couldn’t Help It,” “Escape Route Intro”   […]

ChartWatch for December 23, 2009Welcome back to ChartWatch where we run down the weekly sales in Hip Hop and let you know about some of the latest albums coming out.  It’s almost Christmas so album sales are going up across the board as people pick up gifts for friends and family.  We’ll see if that boost in sales helps out the world of Hip Hop.  Let’s go ahead and get the number one spot out of the way.  It’s still Susan Boyle.  She sold another 659,000 copies of I Dreamed A Dream.  That monster of an album stops Alicia Keys from debuting at number one, but don’t feel bad for Ms. Keys.  The piano playing extraordinaire enters the charts at the number two spot with her latest album, Element of Freedom.  This week there is no Hip Hop in the top ten but there are some representatives in the top 50.  The Black Eyed Peas move up a spot from 20 to 19 by selling 82,000 copies of their hit album The E.N.D. Jay-Z climbs back on the charts grabbing the 43rd spot by selling 39,000 copies of The Blueprint 3. Finally, Gucci Man takes a nose dive, dropping from 11 to 46 while selling 36,000 copies of his major label debut The State v. Radric Davis. Ok, so the boost in sales didn’t necessarily help out the whole Hip Hop community.  At least Jay got back on the charts. Dropping This Week Like I said earlier, Christmas is only a few days away.  If you haven’t finished you’re shopping yet you might want to pick up a CD or two.  Hey, maybe your grandma likes Lil’ Wayne.  The self proclaimed greatest rapper alive (although he’s kind of stopped saying that since Jay-Z came out of retirement) is releasing arsenal of rappers on the compilation We Are Young Money.  Who is Young Money?  Young Money is Nicki Minaj, Drake, Jae Millz, Lil Twist, Tyga, Mack Maine, Gudda Gudda, Shanel, T-Streets, Lil Chuckee and, of course, Lil Wayne.  I’m sure the majority of the people out there recognize Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Wayne (I said the majority of the public so keep that Jae Millz, Tyga, Gudda Gudda talk out of here) so now’s the opportunity to meet the rest of the Young Money camp.  The album also features guest appearances from Lloyd, Birdman, Pleasure P and Gucci Mane.  If you’re trying to hear what’s going to be on the radio for the next six months then you may want to pick this one up. Next up is kind of a surprise for me because I would have thought this album would have dropped awhile ago.  You know…when the single was…what’s the word I’m looking for?…oh yeah….hot.  I don’t know who dropped the ball on this one but Hurricane Chris drops his second album, Unleashed, with the lead single “Halle Berry (She’s Fine).”  Hopefully the Shreveport, Louisiana rapper can capitalize off of another single to help push the album.  Unleashed features guest appearances by Superstarr, Mouse, Mario, Plies, Bobby Valentino, Cherish, Beanie Man, Isis, and Fiend 4 da Money.  The album feature production by Play-N-Skillz, The Inkredibles , Shawty Redd, Phunk Dawg, Q Smith, Superstarr, Mouse, Rodnae, Friend Crack Alley Music, Don Vito, Blade, Raphael RJ2, and Drum Majors. Last up is Eminem who capitalizes of the gift giving season by re-releasing his chart topping album Relapse. Relapse: Refill is a two disc album with seven more tracks than the original.  If you haven’t picked up the album then now’s not a bad time grab it and get a few extra songs.  It does have “Forever” on there (the song that convinced me and the rest of Hip Hop that Eminem hadn’t lost it) so it’s not a bad deal.  This should hold everyone over until Mr. Mathers releases Relapse 2. (Hey Em, don’t rap in the funny voice.  Leave the funny voice at home. Please!). Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays everyone!  See you in the new year!

Raekwon and CNN rocked the stage during their North Carolina leg of the “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2” tour, and AllHipHop was right there to get his Top 5 Dead or Alive. But, there is more. While paying homage to the artist on his Top 5 Dead or Alive, Rae also gave me an update on his project with Kool G Rap and his anticipated three-way collaboration with fellow Wu-Tang brothers –  Method Man and Ghostface Killah. Raekwon: One thing about me and my top five, it may be n*ggas that ain’t even relevant like that… at the level of today’s Hip-Hip. that will really hurt a lot of peoples feelings, but that’s how I feel. I take real emcees serious, so I will definitely say, one is Rakim. Rakim is our Marvin Gaye of Hip-Hop. Then you have Slick Rick. Just their albums that came out almost 20 years ago is still busting a lot of n*ggas a** today lyrically. I wouldn’t even consider myself in the “Top Five” yet. I haven’t put in any work yet. Them two… I like [Notorious] B.I.G. Definitely one that definitely had a lot of talent, he had that good voice. Big Daddy Kane was crazy back then. His s### was on fire. He has come with all different types of styles and flows. ‘Cause see that’s what I look at too. I don’t look at a n***a just being able to rhyme and talk tough all day. I’m talking about literature on wax. S### that will be like “what he say?” Spitting that sh*t right back. I look at all that. One thing to me about being a real emcee is that you have to fit that role as being one of those n***as. All n***as are made to have their own style and charisma. B.I.G. had his own style, his own charisma. He was able to do R&B s**t, kill it and still come back to do the real s**t. Always presenting his lyrics, always knowing how to write stories and dip in different things. So I look at all that. Rakim, Slick, B.I.G., Kane… I got one for more… KRS-One. Lyrically, l said those names right there. That’s why I picked them. AllHipHop.com: You named these artist as your “Top 5,” why do you say they won’t be relevant? Raekwon: Because they had their time. Everybody had their time to shine. It’s not like they can’t come back and bust n*ggas ass again, it’s just all about the production. I’m just saying it in like a good way. Anybody might say Michael Jordan is one of the best basketball players, but you have these young n*ggas like Lebron doing their thing. Dwyane Wade and all these dudes, but you always have to mention Jordan. So that’s my thing on how I really feel about real Hip-Hop. When i think of Rakim, he made me want to rhyme. He made me want to get knowledge of self. He made he want to challenge myself lyrically on wax. He helped me gain that energy, gain that swagger- that’s the new word today. I call it style but ya’ll call it swagger. So, he taught n*ggas how to get fresh. Flat tops, good four finger rings,all that. Style is important. Slick Rick dressing up. Slick flowing and really knowing how to rhyme. Sh*t just be coming out bouncing, bouncing over everything. So all these type of things I look at. That’s why I’m able to do the type of songs that I do. I test myself because I want to be put in that category one day. I like anything after 25 years in the business, then start calling me a real legend. But right now, I still have a lot of work to do. I only have four albums in right now. When you think of all these old soul singers, they have multiple albums. The O’Jays, The Isley Brothers, all these n*ggas have more than four f*cking albums bee. So when you start seeing somebody at that level, they have to have a long track record of music. I want to do 50 albums. So when I get to that level, maybe I’ll start calling myself one of the “top dead or alive.” AllHipHop.com: In a recent interview with AllHipHop.com, you revealed that you will be doing a project with Kool G. Rap. Raekwon: Me and G Rap was definitely talking about something. I think that will be something crazy because that’s me doing it with one of my mentors. I don’t even know why I didn’t pick him [for the top five dead or alive], but he’s definitely in that category as well. How I’m looking at it is like I get to do sh*t with some of my favorites. Remember when Michael Jackson first got the opportunity to see James Brown on stage? He waved the flag and they put the cape on him? That’s how I look at my greats too. So for us to do that, I’m looking forward to doing something like that. If me and G talked about it, then hey… it may happen sooner then you think. But whatever we do, it’s gonna be something ill. We’re going to make sure of that. When I think about me being in the street selling crack all my life and listening to Kool G. Rap “In the streets of New York, dope fiend’s leaning for morphine,” it was like he was talking to me. It was like he was talking to me personally and talking to the world from our perspective and where we was at. So for me to get back in the studio with him, I want to go right back there. I want to do it on that level. We have to understand that our brothers who paved the way for us, we can never forget them. That’s not in my nature to forget them because I don’t care if they’re not […]

AllHipHop ChartWatch for December 16, 2009      I’ve spent the last few weeks pointing out the sales of reality TV star Susan Boyle which has raise a lot of questions amongst readers.  Mainly, Who the f— is Susan Boyle?  Well, I’ll tell you.  She’s a British, reality show star.  Now British music artist + Reality TV should equal your album going double wood here in the states but for some reason this lady is selling more albums then they can keep on the shelves.  I know she’s not Hip Hop but Boyle managed to sell another 580,000 copies of her album I Dreamed A Dream pushing her sales well over the million mark.       I gave that little intro on Boyle because 1) I find it slightly interesting and 2) the closest thing to Hip Hop in the Top 10 is Chris Brown.  He ain’t Hip Hop either but at least he has a rapper or two on the album.  The R&B singer took time off of community service to sell 102,000 copies of his latest album, Graffiti. Flip over to rumors if you want to see about Chris’ Twitter tirade.        Now I don’t want to make it seem as though this was a bad week for Hip Hop.  We actually have a few artists from last column’s  “Dropping this Week” make it into this week’s top fifty.  Let’s continue on to find out who made it.       First up is an MC out of the south.  Although many critics question his musical ability he continues to sell and please his fan base.  I’m hearing the album is on point, so congratulations to Gucci Mane for selling 89,000 copies of his new album, The State vs. Radric Davis.  The Atlanta rapper’s major label album debuts at the number 11 spot and places him as the top selling rapper for this week.       This next album has been on the charts since June and is still pushing big numbers. I don’t know how and I don’t know why but this group is getting at least 50,000 people to buy their album each week.  The Black Eyed Peas move up two spots, from 22 to 20, and sell another 64,000 copies of their album, The E.N.D.       Long Beach representative Snoop Dogg enters the chart this week and grabs the twenty second spot.  The Westcoast MC sells 61,000 copies of his tenth studio album, Malice ‘N Wonderland.        Hip Hop super-producer Timbaland continues his foray into pop music with his latest album Shock Value II.  His latest album enters the charts at the 36th position and sells 37,000 copies.       Finally, the Virginia duo, Clipse, enters the charts this week and claims the forty eighth spot. Their Neptunes produced album Till The Casket Drops sells 29,000 copies.  Dropping This Week        It’s an all Westcoast “Dropping” this week.  We’ll start of first with Sacramento MC Bueno who is dropping his new cd Can’t Knock The Hustle.  The album features The Jacka, Dubb 20, and Mistah F.A.B with production by DJ Epik and Hallway Productionz.       Finally, coming out of the Bay area is Messy Marv and Berner who team up to release Blow.  The album features guest appearances from C-Bo, B-Legit, Yukmouth, Husalah & Fed-X of the Mob Figaz, Killa Tay, J-Stalin, Ampichino and others.        

AllHipHop ChartWatch for December 09, 2009    This week R. Kelly enters the charts at the fourth spot selling 115,000 copies of his latest album Untitled. Not even the pied piper could dethrone the unlikely pop superstar, Susan Boyle, who continues her dominance on the charts with her debut, I Dreamed a Dream.  The reality show star sold another 509,000 copies proving that someone out there is buying albums.  As a matter of fact with artist like Norah Jones, Michael Buble, Andrea Bocelli, and Susan Boyle running the chart it appears the over 50 crowd is out there buying albums. In terms of Hip Hop, the Black Eyed Peas move up one spot, from 23 to 22, with their latest album The E.N.D.  The trio sells another 50,000 copies this week.  Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 slips a little, falling from 32 to 39. The Marcy MC moves another 28,000 copies this week. Moving from Marcy to Queens, rapper 50 Cent moves 26,000 copies of his latest, Before I Self Destruct, but takes a serious drop, plummeting from the 21st position to 42.  Now before the commentors jump up saying I’m being unfair to 50 Cent, that’s a 21 slot drop.  It’s not a complete fall out of the top 50 like Baby’s Pricele$$, but it’s a drop nonetheless.  Meanwhile, Juvenile enters the charts with his latest CD, Cocky and Confident, selling 22,000 copies and claiming the 4th spot.  It’s another rough week for Hip Hop, but “Dropping” has some big name artists this week.     Dropping This Week             We have some good albums coming out this week from some heavy hitters.  A couple of weeks ago Juvenile and Baby were featured in “Dropping” and this week fellow New Orleans native B.G. releases his eleventh solo studio album, Too Hood 2 Be Hollywood.  The album features the late, great Soulja Slim, Lil Boosie, C-Murder, Gar, Mannie Fresh, Lil Wayne, Juvenile, Trey Songz, T.I., and Young Jeezy.  Production for the album is handled by KLC, Mannie Fresh, Savage, Scott Storch, J.U.S.T.I.C.E League, Cool & Dre, Savage, and Bass Heavy to name a few.  The album, executive produced by T.I., has been pushed back numerous times but now fans should be pleased that it’s being released before the year end.  Hopefully B.G.’s recent trouble with the law won’t keep him away from making music for too long. Next up is Malice and Push T who together form Clipse.  The Virginia duo drops their third album, Til the Casket Drops, the follow up to the dark Hell Hath No Fury.  The new album is executive produced by the Neptunes who handle the bulk of the album.  The rest is produced by Dj Khalil & Chin and Sean C & LV.  Cam’ron, Yo Gotti, Kanye West, Keri Hilson, Pharrell, Ab-Liva, and Nicole Hurst all guest star on this latest venture which is being released on Columbia Records.  The Clipse have released two critically acclaimed albums and a string of popular mixtapes over their career.  It is looking like this album will be no different as it is already gaining high reviews from a number of magazines and websites.  Be on the lookout for Til the Casket Drops. On November 12, 2009, Gucci Mane was sentenced to 12 months in prison for probation violation and taken away to prison.  In an “art imitates life imitates art imitates life….” Twist the Atlanta rapper releases The State v. Radric Davis.  The album features Mike Epps, Cam’ron, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Soulja Boy, Wacka Flocka Flame (really?), Usher, Keyshia Cole, Bobby Valentino, Nikki Minaj, Trina, OJ Da Juiceman, Plies, Bun-B, E-40, Devin the Dude, Jadakiss, and Birdman.  You might not like him or think he can rap, but Gucci Mane is coming out with a star loaded album.  Even with the recent sentence things are looking up Gucci, who just squashed his longstanding beef with Young Jeezy.  I don’t think I have to tell fans of Gucci to go pick this one up. How long has Snoop Dogg been rapping?  The Long Beach, CA rapper began his career in 1993 with Doggystyle and now nine albums later releases Malice N Wonderland.  The new album features Jazmine Sullivan, Soulja Boy, Lil Jon, Nipsey Hussle, Problem, Kokane, R. Kelly, The-Dream, Brandy and Pharrell.  Once again Snoop continues his 17 year reign on the Westcoast and keeps his fans satisfied with another album.  Last but not least is Timbaland who returns with his third, “solo”, studio album Shock Value II.  The album features everyone from Miley Cyrus to Drake.  Timbaland has a pretty good track record when it comes to making hit songs, whether they are hip hop or pop.  Fans should be on the lookout for this one. That’s it for “Dropping” and ChartWatch this week.  Some big names are coming out with albums for the fourth quarter.  We’ll see next week if the make an impact on the charts.

Welcome to another addition of AllHipHop.com’s Top 5 Dead or Alive. This time around we are riding out with a rapper who has hit us with commercial and street hits, teaching everyone how to be a true thug, yes that would be Miami’s own Trick Daddy.   Stepping into the rap game over a decade ago, Trick Daddy has seen many-a-rapper come and go and and watched his Miami hood flourish. It has been a ride. From riding high with “Nann N***a,” to run in’s with the law, to battling Lupus, to parting ways with Slip-N-Slide Records, Trick Daddy is still hard at work.   Recently, Trick Daddy released his eight studio album Finally Famous: Born A Thug, Still A Thug via his new venture Dunk Ryder Records. These days, Trick Daddy is putting the finishing touches on his book titled “Magic City: Trials Of A Native Son” scheduled to be released in 2010.   Now is the time to see who Trick salutes on his list, so with out further delay, we give you Trick Daddy’s Top 5 Dead Or Alive.   Tupac   “That’s my man! Somebody that’s been through a whole lot. Been through a been East Coast vs. West Coast, dealt with movies, dealt with drama, women, and also expressing good from his heart.”  DMX  “That n***a is so believable because we r so much alike. We’ve both seen and over came hard times. I respect his music because it reflects the pain and the struggles of life.”  Notorious B.I.G   “For what Biggie did for Hip-Hop, he took New York to a whole other level. A lot of people thought that he was a lyricist, but I think that he was a poetic genius. If you’re more of a real Biggie fan then you would agree with me on that.”   Scarface “Scarface was the n***a that reminded me of when I was a little boy. From watching his stories and seeing his videos, you could always envision everything he was saying and he was always believable. That’s different than a lot of fairytale rappers.” Too Short   “First of all I like Short Dog. He’s someone I grew up on and I understand the Bay area in California. The Bay Area, Southern California is so much like Florida. We grew in a similar area. I respect, love his music, and everything he stood for. He never changed or tried to be different or nothing like that.”

AllHipHop ChartWatch for December 02, 2009   Last week’s column may have received the most comments we’ve ever gotten on ChartWatch and you can pretty much attribute it all to 50 Cent.  Whether you love him, hate him, or generally could care less about him, the queens MC gets people talking.  This week the controversial MC took a hit as his latest album falls from the fourth to the 21st spot.  That news is sure to get haters talking of the rapper’s demise and super fans talking about how it is all a part of 50’s master plan.  (Remember when we just use to talk about whether the album was good.)  Either way it is a big drop but let’s put it in perspective.  With that drop 50 Cent is still the top selling rap artist holding the 21st position and selling 59,000 copies of his fourth album, Before I Self Destruct. But, what is more interesting is that Susan Boyle BODIED everything moving this week by selling 670k her first week out (this does not include UK sales figures). This ether includes Rihanna, who came in at No. 5 with 181,000 sold. For RiRi, these numbers are actually consistent with her sales pattern. But Boyle also decimated pop stars Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert, the American Idol. Michael Jackson, Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift were also in the shadows of the Scotish-born Boyle, but all made the Top 10. Looking back at 50, the Queens rapper is not the only Hip Hop artist in the Top 50.  The Black Eyed Peas actually moved up some positions and claim the 23rd spot, selling 53,000 copies of their latest album The E.N.D.  Jay-Z remains at the 32nd position selling 34,000 copies of The Blueprint 3.  Send some congratulations out to Birdman.  If you’ve been checking the site then you’ve probably already seen the huge tattoo that he has in honor of his latest cd Pricele$$.  The CashMoney CEO’s latest effort enters the charts this week at number 33 selling 33,000 copies.             Dropping This Week There have been some good albums these last few months in Dropping.  Most notably, Slaughterhouse’s self titled debut, Wale’s Attention Deficit, and Murs & Slug’s A Tribute to Rosie Perez.  Keep checking back here to find out the new albums and support some of the Hip-Hop artists.  We only have two albums in Dropping this Week but they are from some solid artists.  Fans should be pleased because it’s been awhile since we have heard from these East and South Coast representatives. New Orleans has a few things to smile about.  First, The Saints still continue to have an undefeated season (Who Dat?!) and second, there is a new album from its native son Juvenile.  After selling millions of albums as a solo artist, the former Hot Boy drops his ninth album, Cocky & Confident.  It’s been three years since we have heard from Juvenile who most recently has had to deal with the tragedy of losing his four year old daughter.  His last album, Reality Check, entered the charts at number one and I’m sure he is looking to do it once again.  The new album features Bobby Valentino, Pleasure P, B.G., and Partners-N-Crime, to name a few.    During Juvenile’s career he has put CashMoney on the map with his album 400 degrees, been the first to have a public split with the record label, started his own UTP Records, had a small beef with Lil Wayne, and, now that bridges are mended, is talking of a Hot Boy’s reunion.  His fans should be ready and waiting for a new album to drop.  If you’re a fan of the crescent city MC then pick up his latest disc. Souls of Mischief have, in my opinion, one of the greatest Hip-Hop singles ever.  The track “93 ‘til Infinity” off of the same titled album still makes it onto Hip-Hop playlist across the country.  It has been nine years since the group released their 3rd album Trilogy: Conflict, Climax, Resolution and now the Oakland-based group returns with Montezuma’s Revenge.  The album is produced by Prince Paul and features and intro by Del the Funky Homosapien.  The rest of the album is solely Souls of Mischief so expect some lyricism on this one.  If the last album wasn’t to your likening this album is supposed to be more cohesive so keep an ear out for this one. As usual sales are down across the board so here’s a couple of questions: Do you have any CD’s you’re looking forward to purchasing?  With the ability to get so much music for free what would prompt you to actually go out and purchase a one?  I myself used to look forward to picking up albums every Tuesday but lately I can’t think of too many albums that have made me want to leave my house and go to a store. That’s it for albums dropping.  So let us know….what makes you go out and actually purchase an album?

Lupe Fiasco has eluded the limelight for quite sometime since his last album, The Cool. Now, the Chicago rapper presents Hip-Hop fans another reason to be grateful on Thanksgiving Day. Although, he’s been out of the commercial realm, true fans know that the rapper has increased the output of music recently. The intensity has increased as well, a shift evident on Lupe Fiasco’s Enemy of the State: A Love Story. The mixtape has Lupe spitting over songs Timbaland, Drake, Slaughterhouse, The Clipse and offers a much appreciated rock sensibility as well. This is merely the beginning. Lupe has already revealed a Christmas day mixtape entitled Friend of the People, which will undoubtedly be an appreciated gift on a day of giving. Download and comment your thoughts on Lupe Fiasco’s Enemy of the State: A Love Story. Additional download link: HERE. PS: Read “Rapper: Do It The Lupe Fiasco Way”

AllHipHop ChartWatch for November 25, 2009   The moment of truth is here for 50 Cent. He got a favorable review in AllHipHop’s review section, but all eyes are on the SoundScan right now. The Top 10 doesn’t have a lot of Hip-Hop on it but we do have a new entry.  Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson enters the charts at in the fifth slot with his latest album Before I Self Destruct.  The queens MC managed to sell about 160,000 copies of his fourth disc which, to date, is the lowest sales the rapper has produced.  The reviews for the album have been mixed but I will say that the movie that comes with it is not bad.  In fact it’s pretty good.  50 has already come forward and said that the album leaked from an international plant which is not hard to believe.  The album was everywhere…but is that the reason for the low sales?  What do ya’ll think?  Nevertheless, this is a hater’s wet dream! The next question is how does an MC that has always spent a lot of time focusing on numbers (especially the numbers of rappers he doesn’t like) deal with the fact that his latest album hasn’t put up good numbers.  I hope its go back to the studio (hungry) and put out another album.  We’ll see. Next up are the Black Eyed Peas who sell 32,000 copies of The E.N.D and grab the 27th  They are followed by Jay-Z and his eleventh studio album The Blueprint 3.  The disc takes the 32nd spot selling 29,000 copies. spot. That’s it for the week so onto the new albums.   Dropping This Week   First up this week is Birdman.  Now you know that he’s not the best rapper.  You know it.  I know it.  Hell, he knows it.  He does, however, know how to put together an album with a lot of good rappers.  His new album Pricele$$ features Drake, Lil Wayne, Gudda Gudda, T-Pain, Bun-B, Mack Maine, Gucci Mayne, Flo Rida, Rick Ross, Lil Kim, and Nikki Minaj.  Some of those guests are on the bonus edition of the cd so look out for that one.  Hey, he got Nikki and Kim on a song together…I wonder what that song will be about?  This is pretty much a compilation album so if you like Young Money you’ll probably want to check this one out. The next “artist” has (somehow) become a controversial figure in Hip Hop.  Every time he says something it’s sure to get a lot of commentary in chat rooms, message boards, barber shops, beauty salons, and dorm rooms across the country.   That’s right.  The one and only dangerous MC.  Bill Cosby.  Ok, he’s not an MC…but he is coming out with an album.  Bill Cosby Presents the Cosnarati: State of Emergency is the comedian/activist’s latest venture to reach the Hip Hop community.  It features three rappers, Jace the Great, Brother Hahz and Supa Nova Slom, with production by Ced-Gee of the Ultramagnetic MC’s and William Patterson.  You might not know Patterson but you know his music.  The producer had done work on everything from the Cosby show to albums by Alicia Keys and LL Cool J.  I respect what Cosby is trying to do but I do know one thing – The music better be good.  Positive…negative…in between…no one listens unless it’s good.  People listen to Talib Kweli and 50 Cent for one reason – they like the music.  If the music is not good the point will never get across.  We’ll see if Bill gets his point out.  The Boot Camp Clik is releasing is releasing Triple Threat which is essentially a collection of the three discs: Sean Price’s Monkey Barz, 9th Wonder & Buckshot’s Chemistry, and Smif N Wessun’s Reloaded.  All three of the albums have received some decent reviews and have been out for awhile.  If you haven’t had a chance to listen to any of them then now’s your chance because all three are being sold for the price of one.  Pittsburgh MC Wiz Khalifa has left Warner Bros. and is now releasing his second album Deal or No Deal.  The album only has a few features so for the most part it’s an “all Khalifa” affair.  Fans of his first album Show and Prove should be looking out for this one. Who owns Death Row Records now?  Seems like every week they are changing owners.  Either way the label is putting out a four disc box set that features artists from the label’s beginning, like Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, to its most recent, including Crooked I and Petey Pablo. (Ya’ll forgot Petey Pablo was on Tha Row, huh?).  The set also has a DVD as well as unreleased material from Death Row artists.  That’s it for this week.  Pick up and album or two—-you know what?  Pick up four.  An album or four.  Get someone up on these charts. 

“Rappers cross-over. They dead.” Rakim returns to testify that he is a man alive with work to do on The Seventh Seal, his new album released on his own Ra Records label. Always a man of uncompromising vision, non-believers are presented with Ra’s modern Hip-Hop gospel soaked in Godspeak. Sometimes obscure but never unobtainable, this new disc was easy to find at the Church of Best Buy for a ten dollar tithe. Forty seconds into the first track “How to Emcee” Rakim’s delivery and presence emerge as that of brand new emcee freshly delighted with word play and tightly crafted rhyme schemes. What should be surprising coming from a pioneer decades deep in this music is no surprise from Rakim, who is undoubtedly among the finest emcees ever to grace the booth and a master of original re-invention. He is hella people’s favorite for a reason. Production is provided by a current cast including Needlz, Jake One, and Nick Wiz. It is well known that Rakim is selective when it comes to records, a pivotal point that scuttled an Aftermath project with Dr. Dre. Perhaps lesser known is Rakim’s fearlessness on the boards, having programed drums and even done scratching on some of his earliest classics. His taste and savvy are apparent here, as the beats are all bangers any emcee would give his left t#### to rhyme on. Rakim attacks each track with a variety of lyrical approaches which build upon his time tested methods, yet continue to be forward thinking. Flashback: Some of Rakim’s seminal recordings were done in a studio where MC Shan of the legendary Juice Crew has said he was present and actually clowning on the young upstart’s unheard of delivery. As a teenager, Rakim saw the path of the music clearly and brought Hip-Hop into a new future made in his own image. This new album will be debated and much of it is probably impenetrable to many music critics who will encounter it. The legacy remains intact. The overall effect of this varied effort delivers a mixed result. “Man Above” could sit comfortably within a contemporary Christian Gospel play list. Here it contrasts against a heaping helping of hustle rap, juxtaposed on the record with “Documentary of a Gangsta” where Rakim flexes secular street rap skills with a sinister tone. For an album with no curse words, it is perhaps blasphemous to shout out loud that the seventh track is effing incredible. Good Lord, it is that. When “Holy are You” first makes the speakers sparkle, Rakim’s decade of near silence melts away completely as he shines his brightest. This song smokes anything else out so far this year, it is classic Ra not afraid to step in the booth, be the best ever, and speak to forever for four minutes. That it seems over too soon simply underscores the strong replay value of much of Rakim’s formidable catalog. Rewind and repeat as necessary, until your mind is blown. Sequencing this song as track seven is an elegant touch of class from this visionary pioneer who manifests greatness. He knows exactly what he is doing with this record. Vocally, Rakim stands on his own for the majority of the album. Of the few features the most magic is found on “Message in the Song” where his daughter Destiny Griffin sings while Rakim weaves words over a beat that oozes NYC ambiance. “Y’all know what my purpose is. I spit verses to lift curses off my dead president worshipers. Back where the surface is, gangsters and murderers. Making money made us merciless.” Hooks have never been a crucial part of the God Emcee’s formula which continues to rely on intricate layers of meaning stretched artfully across bars upon bars of masterful wordplay. Golden Age purists looking for Rakim rhyming over straight knocking beats with scratching on the hooks will find little of that here. However, when it does happen on this album it is fantastic. Nestled toward the album’s close is the magnificent “Still in Love” which belongs among Rakim’s finest love letters to Hip-Hop, the microphone is clearly still calling its favorite fiend. There are few American artists who defy definition as Rakim does. He is a man of many mysteries, like, “Who is God?” or “How does Gwen Stephani keep showing up on Hip-Hop records?” The Seventh Seal moves above and beyond where Rakim’s last album The Master left off. Though at times it falls short of the high bar set by Paid in Full, its got some scorchers which will be Hip-Hop high points for 2009 and suggests that next year’s album, already in the works, will be promising. The God Emcee Rakim Allah remains in fine form with soul food for thought as Earth takes its next trip around the Sun. “I see though the eyes of the prophets, King Tutankhamens, and Martins and Malcolms, Elijah Muhammads, wise and with knowledge. Paid in Full ain’t just the size of the pockets, this rise to the top is Ra’s economics. I show you that time is more valuable then them diamonds in your watches. You grind for the block, you die for them dollars. What’s worth more to you, your life or your gwop is?”

ChartWatch for November 18, 2009  Here is something interesting. Michael Jackson has caused SoundScan to make some changes in how they report album sales. With the renewed success of Thriller and his Greatest Hits album, older catalog release will be included in the new releases. So, as the highest selling artist of 2009, Taylor Swift can see competition from people that released albums over 20 years ago like MJ, who is the second-highest selling act this year. Normally, these older albums are in a separate chart. So, lets get into it. First up, Jay-Z sells 33,000 copies of The Blueprint 3 but dips from the 13th to No. 18.  Then we have The Black Eyed Peas whose album, The E.N.D, continues to move numbers selling another 30,000 copies this week – impressive!  D.C native Wale enters the countdown at number 27, selling 26,000 copies of his debut disc.  His album, Attention Deficit, is getting some pretty good reviews, and while selling 26,000 copies is not bad in this climate, it could be better.  There are rumors that the album didn’t get the push it deserved, and that it was hard to find.  Two questions:  What are your thoughts on the album (This is for people who actually listened to the album…not people who just have an opinion on Wale), and, if you bought the album, did you have trouble finding it? (Once again this is for people that actually bought the album and not…well you get the point.)  Either way congratulations go out to Wale for moving some debut album units. Last but not least is Hip-Hop’s current golden boy, Drake.  The Canadian MC sells another 12,000 copies of So Far Gone and maintains his position at number 45.  The newcomer continues to sell units of his album before the album.  If this is any indication of future album sales, Drake’s debut should be a chart topper.    Dropping This Week   We have some good albums this week.  One of raps top earners returns to the streets, a legend in the game finally drops his long awaited album and a ghetto boy gets some redemption. Some of you have been waiting…..some of you haven’t….but no matter…its here.  Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson takes a break from watching Rick Ross’s kids (it’s funny…disrespectful…but still funny) to drop his fourth studio album. (Before the 50 fans start commenting this is his 5th album if you include Power of the Dollar.)  Before I Self Destruct is the rapper’s last album for Interscope (not including a greatest hits) and is said by him to have a much “darker and aggressive tone.”  The album is accompanied by a movie of the same title.  Before I Self Destruct, has guest appearances from Eminem, Ne-Yo, Loyd Banks, and R. Kelly, and features production by Dr. Dre, Havoc, Polo Da Don, Rockwilder, Black Key, DJ Khalil, and J. Keys.  50 has managed to remain a force in the music industry…but not necessarily for his music.  His last album, Curtis, was given mixed reviews but hopefully Before I Self Destruct, having few appearances and more of a focus on 50, will have better fortune.  50 fans, 50 haters, and all those in between should give this one a chance and pick it up. William Michael Griffin Jr., better known as Rakim, returns after more than eight years to drop his third solo studio album.  The Seventh Seal was originally supposed to be released in 2002 as Oh, My God on Dr. Dre’s Aftermath record label.  Since that time Rakim has left the label and totally reworked the album.  He now releases The Seventh Seal which features Maino, Tracey Horton, I.Q., Samuel Christian, and Rakim’s daughter, Destiny Griffin.  It’s Rakim.  I really don’t know what else to say.  He and Eric B brought you Paid In Full, Follow The Leader, Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em, and Don’t Sweat the Technique.  There is not enough that can be said about his influence so if you want to hear some real Hip Hop, pick this one up. The next rapper started of one weekend trick or treating, moved on to robbing some kids, and ended up fighting a seven foot figure of his imagination.  Bushwick Bill, solo and as one third of the Geto Boys, has been a controversial figure in Hip Hop.  He is now releasing his sixth solo, and first Christian, album.  That’s right…Bushwick Bill is releasing a Christian rap album titled Testimony of Redemption.  Bushwick Bill was done a lot in his lifetime, from threatening reporters to shooting himself in the eye, but has now turned it around to become a born again Christian.  It should be interesting to see how his storytelling skills transfer to Christian rap.  If you get a chance pick this one up. Murs and Slug are two well known rappers that still remain underground.  Each has dropped some critically acclaimed work of their own, but together they are known as Felt.  The Los Angeles wordsmith and Minneapolis MC have released Felt: A Tribute to Christina Ricci, Felt 2: A Tribute to Lisa Bonet, and now release Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez.  Murs and Slug drop some quality music so if you get a chance check this one out.

It’s been 10 years since Hip-Hop’s favorite antagonist unofficially released Power of the Dollar, the introductory EP which sparked controversy with “How to Rob,” a lyrical thrill-ride that jacked the music industry elite of the day. In those 10 years, 50 Cent has had a career that is the stuff of legends. By now, you should know the story by heart, orphaned early in life, shot nine times; he became a mixtape king and then shook up the world by signing with Dr. Dre and Eminem. Music, movies, books, clothing, a fragrance, even a $100 million come-up with Vitamin Water, the G-Unit General re-wrote the Hip-Hop blueprint all the while still being the rapper you love to hate. With the release of Get Rich or Die Trying in 2003, 50 Cent charmed audiences worldwide with a flow all his own, his storytelling skills and braggadocio were unrivaled, he returned two years later with The Massacre, the deluxe version of which launched his love affair with short videos; he made one for every song on the album. But, it was 2007’s, Curtis, that marked a turning point, some would say a decline, for Fif, losing his album sales challenge to Kanye West’s Graduation put a c#### in his armor, leaving him in a position where he has been before, poised for a comeback and ready to prove his detractors wrong. With Before I Self Destruct, that is exactly what he does. From the intro, 50 Cent sets the stage for a darker and more ominous album. He waxes nostalgic on “Then Days Went By,” reminiscing on his pre-rap days, (Keep f**king with me you gon’ turn me back to Boo-Boo/have me casing out your crib/tryin’ to pop your f**king noodle). But it’s on one of the strongest tracks on the album, “Death to My Enemies”, produced by Dr. Dre and Mark Batson, where he comes closest to the aggressive and creative threatening that made him a superstar, (I’m like Damien n***a/when I start getting loose on you/closest thing to Lucifier/make you think you got a noose on you/I make it hard to breathe/I come where you hustle, air it out/make it hard to eat.) 50 plays to his many female fans on “Baby By Me” featuring Neyo, sampling himself on the hook, he promises that conceiving a child with him will make a lucky girl a millionaire, and then he turns around and releases his anger on the one woman who actually did have a baby by him. His ex-girlfriend, Shaniqua Tompkins feels the wrath on “Do You Think About Me.” (That’s why my ex is my ex/you don’t wanna be her/she used to have the Beemer/now she on the sneaker/I had her eating lobster/now she eating pizza). The song is a warning for groupies worldwide and yet still manages to pull off charisma and ghetto romance. On “Psycho”, 50 and Eminem rekindle their familiar chemistry and the song is all that it would be expected to be, energetic and just a little psycho. 50 and Em fire warning shots at their respective enemies, all powered by a good, yet predictable Dre beat.  With only three guest appearances on the album, Neyo, Eminem, and R. Kelly on “Could’ve Been You”, 50 puts himself and his skill in the foreground. Songs like “Crime Wave”, “Get It Hot”, and “Ok, You’re Right” are classic 50 Cent. He rides the tracks with the lyrical dexterity of a gymnast. Like most G-Unit affiliated albums, many of the producers on the album are lesser-known, making their work more important than their discographies. Dr. Dre has three tracks on BISD, Havoc, Rockwilder and Polow da Don each have one on the 16 track album, but skills on the boards and compatibility play a major role.   Not a perfect album, Before I Self Destruct, lags a bit in spots, but makes up for it in sheer effort, the album is a great offering from 50 Cent sure to quiet his naysayers… for now. Sorry, haters, but there will be no destruction here, unless it’s the enemies of Curtis Jackson.   “Stretch”   video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsfree video player   “So Disrespectful”  

ChartWatch for November 11, 2009Let’s see here.  Top ten for the week.  There….is…no…Hip-Hop…in…the…top…ten.  Not one album.  The highest rated album is Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 which is ranked at the 13th position.  Sean Carter manages to move another 36,000 copies. That’s followed by The Black Eyed Peas and their chart topping album The E.N.D.  The group moves another 26,000 copies. Well….That was depressing.  Onto dropping…  Dropping this Week  That charts this week were dismal.  Is that really news?  The charts have been dismal for the last few weeks (months).  Maybe somebody below will make it into the top ten for next week.  I’d say that the best bet for an artist coming anywhere close to the top ten for next week is Wale.  We’ll see… First up, Olubawale Victor Folarin, also known as Wale, drops his debut album Attention Deficit.  There has been some decent music coming out of D.C. for the last couple of years on account of his the three successful mixtapes, 100 Miles, The Mixtape About Nothing, and Back To The Feature.  Wale’s debut features Bun B, Chrisette Michelle, K’naan, J.Cole, Gucci Mane, Jazmine Sullivan, Pharrell, Melanie Fiona, and Lady Gaga with production by Cool & Dre, Mark Ronson, The Neptunes, Best Kept Secret, and Dj Green Lantern.  Wale’s album sprung a leak last week so I know a lot of you have it, but the good news is the disc has been getting some pretty favorable reviews out there.  This one shouldn’t disappoint so, if you get a chance, go pick it up.  Next up is MF Doom with his latest album Unexpected Guest.  This is archived material of MF Doom and guests including Talib Kweli, J. Dilla, Masta Killa, John Robinson, and Sean Price.  It’s older material but if you’re a fan of MF Doom, or want to hear what he’s all about, you should probably pick this one up. DJ Drama and Wyclef Jean join forces to bring us the next album From The Hut, To The Projects, To The Mansion.  The album is pretty much all Wyclef with appearances from Lil Kim and….Cyndi Lauper.  Hey, you never know…the Lauper song might surprise you.  About five years ago Babygrande Records released a compilation album of  The Wu Tang Clan featuring various other Hip Hop artists.  The first album, Wu-Tang Meet The Indie Culture, Vol 1, was supposed to “introduce hip-hop fans in general, and specifically, the famously large, loyal and diverse fan-base of the Wu-Tang to the burgeoning world of underground hip-hop.”  All I know is there was a collaboration on that volume between RZA and MF Doom that that needs to be heard by…well, everybody.  Now Frank Radio and iHipHop Distribution seek to do it again with Wu-Tang Meet The Indie Culture, Vol 2.  This time there is a little twist with the goal of this album being “to expose another untapped resource of underground talent, skill and artistry to this very same avid and intrepid fan-base.”  It’s Wu-Tang with dubstep or electronic music.  Sounds like it will be interesting. Last but not least is Philly Rapper Freeway.  The former Roc-A-Fella MC returns with his new album Streetz Is Mine.  This one came out of the blue so I don’t know if it’s real or not but it does feature Young Chris and Beanie Sigel.  Someone out there give it a shot and let the rest of us know. That’s it for dropping.  Pick up an album.

  Master P is a pioneer of the rap game-period.   His business acumen and his No Limit movement will forever ring in the annals of Hip-Hop History. But, when it comes down to his Top 5 Dead or Alive rappers, Master P is pretty precise even if he has to add a couple rappers past five to the end of his list.   Finally, we managed to ask P, known know as Percy Miller, where he places himself on the list. His answer will likely surprise you!   Master P’s Top 5 Dead or Alive   AllHipHop.com: Who makes your Top 5 emcees of all time? Master P: Tupac: He was the greatest of all time. He was the one that came from the streets that was able to reach a whole different culture.       Run-D.M.C.: For what they did.     Eminem: To be able to break into an African-American game, I would have to take my hat off to him for that.     Biggie: For what he brought to the game. This was more of an image-driven business and his ability to conquer a fan base was incredible.     And Jay-Z. That’s a good 5.     Master P: Wait, I also left out Rakim and Scarface. That’s my Top 7.   THE SIDEBAR   AllHipHop.com: Where do you think you fall on that list?   Master P: I think I’ve changed the game. I taught the game how to hustle so I think I probably would make the Top 10 or 20 for my hustling skills. I don’t really try to be the best rapper in the game but I use my talent to be able to dominate a market like nobody else did. I also brought the independence to the game. That alone puts me on the list.