Til the Casket Drops LEAK

Though it doesn't officially drop until Tuesday December 8, the long awaited album from The Clipse is finally here. It's not flawless (couple bum tracks), but there are more than a few solid bangers. Pusha T and Malice can definitely still rip it.

I like this link because it doesn't allow you to download the album but you can listen to the tracks. If you like what you hear, go support the artists on Tuesday..they deserve it.

http://globalgrind.com/source/copthat.com/1177877/leak-clipse-til-the-casket-drops/

THUG LIFE

Every couple of months I come across a Tupac song when I'm shuffling through my iPod and remember how much respect I have for the late great's lyrical abilities. This is usually followed by a 1-2 week period of regularly bumping Tupac's shit while simultaneously trying to supress the unusually strong desire to get "THUG LIFE" tattoed across my abdomen. Happened to me last week when Tupac's "Heartz of Men" came up on my shuffle. I truly forgot how hard he RIPS this track, and pretty much the whole album as a matter of fact. I ran it back 3 times. Funny thing is that every time I go through one of these stages I hear something new or gain a new appreciation for some of his songs - many of which I've listened to hundreds (if not thousands) of times. I will admit that I listen to Biggie's shit on a more regular basis, but there is something to be said for the incredibly diverse and complex repitoire that Tupac compiled in just 26 years on this Earth. All Eyez On Me has to be recognized as one of the best rap albums of all time.

Speaking of the 2-book classic, what ever happened to the double disc LP? All Eyez On Me had something like 27 tracks on it (most of which were classics). These days you have to consider yourself lucky if the rapper adds a 13th song as a "bonus track." There is something to be said for the manner in which the originators did things. Pac was truly an innovator, and most of the shit he raps about still rings true today. Really listen to some of his songs, and it's remarkable to observe the influence he's had on a great majority of hip-hop through the years. Also, if you ever get a chance, check out some of his music video's on YouTube - amazing. I leave you with a link for "Heartz of Men." Even if you aren't a Tupac fan, you have to respect the conviction of his flow on this track. It makes me want to take a 9 iron to someone's grill.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3FNwaJPF9Q&feature=fvw

Also, just (belatedly) copped the most recent Beanie album, Broad Street Bully. Trying to get him over the 5,000 mark. (Sorry Beans). I'll give it a listen and drop a verdict in the next few days.

Believe Dat

I'm really starting to get wildly annoyed with people who are so quick to dismiss a great deal of new hip-hop as unoriginal. According to this viewpoint (and im guessing here) these "unoriginal" songs are tired and don't satisfy the thirst for new and improved hip-hop? Granted, some - even most - of the shit that rappers are dropping these days isn't really innovative or game changing, but why can't it still be hot? I'd rather drive around and repeatedly bump a mysogonistic rap song by Birdman and Lil' Wayne extoling the virtues of expensive champagne, nice cars and sipping sizurp than listen to The Blueprint 3 any day of the week. No disrespect to Jay-Z, but the fact that his half-ass effort to "change the game" might end up outselling Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Clipse, Cam'ron and Birdman (combined) in 2009 is a crime. Rap fans are becoming too picky about what they DON'T like and it's just another factor exacerbating hip-hop's impending death. I'd like some new sounds too, but I'll stay with the tried and true formula until someone actually changes the game. Take it for what it is. Rappers like Birdman have never claimed to be the most lyrically talented, but when I'm riding around on a sunny day with the windows cracked and my subs turned up, I'll have Baby's new album Pricele$$ spinning. You can keep The Blueprint (3 that is). Believe Dat.

That said, I leave you with a new video for "Money to Blow," the third single off of Birdman's upcoming album. Definetely my favorite single off the album to date, and any video where Birdman throws money and raps in front of white Lamborghinis is enough to keep me entertained for at least a couple days. Check it and judge for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgBETDui_4U.

Hold Me High

When anyone in their right mind thinks about the best duo in the rap game, Clipse has to be near the top of the list. Pusha T and Malice have been blessing music fans with the hardest of rhymes for the better part of the last decade, and their upcoming album "Til the Casket Drops" (scheduled release October '09) has the hip hop world buzzing. Like many others, Clipse hit my radar in 2002 with their hit single "Grindin'" off the album "Lord Willin'," which became an instant classic. What many people might not know is that Clipse actually dropped their first album in 1999. Titled "Exclusive Audio Footage," it was never released. However, one song off that album did manage to make its way to the public. I used to see the video for this song on TV, but I never knew the history behind it. Anyway, the song is hot fire and the video is absurd and awesome, just like most of the shit Clipse drops. Til the Casket Drops in October, I leave you with "The Funeral." And if you haven't yet copped the mixtape Road to Til the Casket Drops which dropped last winter, I highly recommend checking that out too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8NnDbfd4yc