Am I High???

Solid as a rock...

2007-10-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

In case you weren't tired of hearing about Graduation, or even if you are

Graduation (Digital Booklet)
Pretty neat, although isn't it DJ Premier as opposed to Premiere?

GO BUY THIS CD...

2007-09-22T07:27:00.001-07:00

You may or may not know the genius that is Devin Copeland. Tom Breihan wrote about this album better than I can but I find it much more enjoyable than Waiting To Inhale.

Devin The Dude & The Coughee Brothaz - It's Time

Before you give Cam that clap up...

2007-09-05T15:25:00.000-07:00

...I'ma have to clack up

1. Check out the interview w/Fam-Lay I did
2. Cam'ron - On Fire Tonight is one of the greatest songs ever

I'ma get on this TV mama...

2007-09-03T08:24:00.000-07:00

I started Am I High over two years ago because the Neptunes were winding down one of the greatest production runs in history. They were making classic R&B hits (U Don't Have to Call) and slept on soulful music (Steal Away). They could whip out crazy noises and blow my mind (remember the first time you heard Drop It Like It's Hot) and stick to their formula of tight snares and synths (Mr. Baller) and still blow my mind.

Obviously, I have not updated this website as much as I should have. I am now studying for the semester at the University of Copenhagen, and would like to put some more time into this. That's by no means a guarantee but basically THE NEPTUNES MADE SICK BEATS and I would like to go back to the time when I would hear one of their new cuts and my jaw would drop and my eardrums explode (Remember the first time you heard On & On?)

Oh and the new Kanye album goes hard.

\\//

Staaaaaar Traaaaaaaaak...

2007-06-30T11:52:00.000-07:00

Head over to The Smoking Section or just go straight here to get the new Fam-Lay, Pharrell & Clipse joint "No Time 4 Nos"...

Also
We over here at Am I High would like to remind our friends at Star Trak that WE'VE BEEN REPPING \\// FOR WAY LONGER AND HOW ABOUT YOU THROW US AT LEAST A FREE T-SHIRT

WEST COAST SHIT

2007-05-30T20:20:00.000-07:00

Make sure you watch to the end to catch the bonus strings and Dre spazzing on the synth.

WHO'S FIRED UP FOR JULY???

2007-05-30T10:47:00.000-07:00

I MAY BE LATE BUT I DON'T CARE

Back in Cali for the summer, then on to Copenhagen to continue studies through December.

Make sure you go get this absurdly awesome Wayne song

Go buy this book it will change your life...

In the meantime, holla @ Young Gotty and his merry band of bandits, brush up on the enigmatic Andres, say hello to me on the best site in the whole internets, get money, and stay cracking dutches.

(WHY THE HELL DON'T THEY SELL DUTCHES IN CALI?)

I'm an OG you wanna overthrow me?

2007-02-06T19:17:00.000-08:00

Should have some more good shit coming, but until then...

COP THESE

Also, when your girl starts crying about you never buying her anything check what else I'm selling I should have more polos in soon.

SNEAK PREVIEW:
Lil' Flip feat. Pharrell - Package of Power

RIP DISCO D...

2007-01-23T16:57:00.000-08:00

Who run it...

2006-12-19T14:01:00.000-08:00

Tony Parker hooking up with Fab, check Tim Duncan in the vid.

Steak and cauliflower, Part 1...

2006-12-15T12:15:00.000-08:00

French kissing the chick under the eiffel tower...

Beanie Sigel, Oschino, & Sparks - Kick In The Door/Oochie Wally

Freeway's destruction of Oochie Wally is coming in part 2.

(Styles album is about 2 years too late and 3 years too old)
(Chris Webber killed Nas's shit)
(DJ Clue's album is worth a download for the Jagged Edge/Fab track and the B Sig/Cassidy collabo)
(I promise you we focused)

I am a hot torch...

2006-12-10T10:10:00.000-08:00

After the most boring Heisman presentation ever, here's something completely different.

Nino Moschella - If You Believe You Will Be Strong (Sa-Ra Remix)

Team Gerald Wallace...

2006-12-07T13:32:00.000-08:00

Wyclef Jean feat. Canibus & R. Kelly - Gone Til November (remix)

Rap Music Vol. 11

2006-11-21T05:27:00.000-08:00

I know I've been dropping the ball for over a month so let me give you my thoughts on rap music since the leak of SMWYG...

Diddy's album was a let down. I know, expectations shouldn't have been high in the first place but No Way Out is one of my all time favorite albums so I'll always at least check for what he puts out. Despite the A-List production this shit had not replay value.
Baby/Wayne - Like Father, Like Son...
I had zero expectations for this shit aside from the killer single. This is my most listened to album of the year right now. Fantastic riding music, great beats, Baby is listenable and Wayne is better than he's been since Carter 1. Really fantastic shit, especially the mayhem of Cali Dro. I GUARANTEE that if you pick this CD up and let it play you'll love it.
Gwen Stefani - Wind It Up
Gwen Stefani is absolutely horrid but only Pharrell could flip the Sound of Music shit. Not necessarily good, but worth a listen if only for its novelty.
Hi-Tek's album was another letdown. This shit has been heralded as an album of the year candidate and I have no idea why. These seem like all the throwaway joints he didn't give to G-Unit. Even Music Is For Life was a Jin track like three years ago, but throw Common (you know, that guy from the Gap commercials) and Nas on it and people start creaming their pants. Vol. 1 was so dope two, but this is getting hyped for the sake of hype.
Jim Jones - Hustler's POME
Um, without even going into all the monkeyshit he's thrown at Jay-Z, I've rocked Jimmy's shit in the past. OMWTC had it's share of bangers and H:DOAS was better than it got credit for. This had like 3 songs I still listen to (Pin The Tail On the Donkey, Hot Wax and even We Fly High are all hot tracks), but it seems like he got stuck on the BALLLLLLLLINNNNN gimmick and is now trying to rap like Young Jeezy. Not a good look.
The Game - The Doctor's Advocate
Just because it's better than I thought it would be doesn't make it good. I'll never join the "Game is actually a good rapper now" bandwagon, because he still has nothing to talk about besides what other people do. California Vacation is a top 5 song this year though, and the production is phenomenal.
Jay-Z - Kingdom Come
I REALLY liked the Black Album. This shit just doesn't seem like it'll have the replay value. What the fuck are these stupid tracks? I'd like to pretend the Neptunes/Usher trainwreck doesn't exist and won't even speak on the shit with Beyonce. Even the Dre beats let me down a bit, Trouble was dope but it was like he sent Jay a CD full of loops instead of completed songs. Chronic 2001 was so awesome because everytime you got into a groove Dre would switch it up or add an awesome synth or something, none of these beats even come close to the shit he gave to Busta anyway, and it should have been the other way around.
Snoop Dogg - Tha Blue Carpet Treatment
I still haven't gotten around to listening to this. Does anyone care what Snoop has to say? And he's one of my favorite rappers (Doggystyle, No Limit Top Dogg, Paid The Cost, R&G all still get rotations).
AZ - The Format
This shit is good, obviously the title track is the highlight, but an overall solid album - he didn't even bother to drop the usual garbage club single. Applause.
Clipse - HHNF
FIRE FIRE FIRE FIRE FIRE FIRE FIRE

I'll try and come up with some songs to post, stay tuned.

State of Emergency...

2006-10-06T11:57:00.000-07:00

Jay-Z - Show Me What You Got

Not disappointing, I guess that counts for something...Just is a monster on the drums.

Hold it now...

2006-09-22T15:16:00.000-07:00

Lupe Fiasco - ...And He Gets The Girl

Still haven't gotten through Luda's album but Slap is a great song.

We won't talk about college football. I haven't checked it in a minute, but I'm sure Straight Bangin' is enjoying Michigan's success...

Cash money like Baby do...

2006-09-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

- PLEASE tell me someone else was watching the Mississippi State/South Carolina game when after the USC running back scored and was talking to the camera he told the families at home he was "back like cooked crack". Easily the highlight of my evening.
- Justin Timberlake must've been on a TON of blow when he made this album because ALL HE WANTS TO DO IS DANCE. That would also explain Timbo's weight loss.
- Nigo's new chain is serious.
- Is there a point to this whole 50/Diddy beef?
- Fuck you, Seminoles. Seminoles, fuck you.

Beyonce - Kitty Kat

There's a ton of other songs that are probably far more worthy of my uploading but this is a Neptunes blog, I guess, and the Neptunes did the beat and it sounds really pedestrian until the bridge comes in and blows you away.

Breezy again...

2006-08-16T12:39:00.000-07:00

Back to Miami tomorrow. Curious to see how much people are bumping the Rossssssssss album, it left my rotation DAMN quickly. In my traveling absence, check out Benzi's new tape and ask 9th Wonder a question via Young Newport.

Oh, and this Idlewild garbage is so disappointing I won't even speak on it. I didn't fuck with SB/TLB that hard, but I appreciated where Dre was coming from on some of his shit (Pink & Blue is my jam). I'm not automatically hating if he's not rapping, but his seeming self indulgence gets on my nerves, not to mention that this 1930s mixed with hip-hop is just plain wack. I think it was someone in The Roots who said he was trying to make his shit as fierce as possible, Outkast made their shit as un-fierce as possible.

Outkast - ATLiens (Bad Boy Remix)

Money Power Respect...

2006-08-04T23:48:00.000-07:00

So I had the chance to listen to a ton more music out at the beach recently. Instead of tying my different selections together allow me to ramble.

- DJ Cam - Mad Blunted Jazz and Diplo - Florida are tempting to lump together but I will not do that. I don't know if you've ever heard of DJ Cam (I never had until someone on Niketalk put me on) but it's some really mellow shit, old breakbeats and jazz loops that sort of meander through the lo-fi fuzz and morph into something that is, well, mad blunted. Diplo finds much meaner samples and then drops a furious 808 in on most of the tracks, and the result is sometimes exhilarating. For all of the hipster stigma surrounding him and/or MIA, Hollertronix, Favela on Blast, etc., Florida was a good album and his turn towards producing looks promising.
- WAMP WAMP has taken over my life.
- Apparently Clipse appeared on Sucka Free with Gillie Da Kid who proceeded to dis Wayne. Clipse then said they had been down with Gillie since 99. I guess this is important because both Clipse and Wayne have huge internet followings and now Wayne can't suck on the inevitable Mr. Me Too remix like he did on Grindin'. Oh, and still nobody cares about Gillie.
- I'd also rather listen to either one of the Clipse than Wayne, who tends to just jibber jabber and make it sound nice.
- A quick listen of Thug Motivation 101 will tell you what the Ross joint SHOULD have been, but they tried to get too glitzy. There's more than a few tracks I like but there's no way I'll be playing this a year from now.
- Anybody have a full version of Peedi Crakk - 3:30 AM?
- How do Jada & Styles write that push pull shit they do so well? Does one person write the entire verse and then they both just spit? Is it a freestyle thing? I would legitimately like to know.

This new Snoop track is cool, they replaced Pharrell on the hook with B-Real. I threw up the shitty radio rip with Pharrell in case you're interested.

It feels like I've written way more than usual which means it's time to stop typing and go prepare to be disappointed by the Idlewild soundtrack.

DJ Cam - Free Your Turntable And Your Scratch Will Follow
Diplo - Summer's Gonna Hurt You
Snoop Dogg feat. B-Real - Vato
Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell - Vato (Radio Rip)

Hell hath no fury...

2006-07-26T23:16:00.001-07:00

like October 31st.

Cop that Clipse album in (gulp) 3 months.

Until then...

Capone-N-Noreaga - Bloody Money
The L.O.X. - Livin' The Life

Pharrell - International Swagger
Pharrell - Number 1 (The Amps Remix)

Off to the beach for a few days on Monday, doubt I'll be able to update for a weeks.

So don't try to run up on my ear...

2006-07-15T13:35:00.000-07:00

So the Pharrell album leaked. My expectations had been significantly dampened by the lack of standout tracks coming out before the entire album. Pharrell & Chad Hugo have the uncanny ability of pleasantly surprising the listener, using unorthodox sounds that somehow delight the ear. Whether it's mouth clicks or sound bytes from video games they excell at presenting the unexpected. Unfortunately, Pharrell decided to do the beats all by himself on his solo (half)-effort, utilizing Chad Hugo only for the engineering and mastering portions of the album. It shows. The last great producer turned rapper album was the College Dropout, and it was great because Kanye West brought fresh beats and fresh perspective to the scene. Pharrell is way more established at this point in his career than Kanye was, and thus told himself he didn't need to do anything groundbreaking, and it that it's ok to use the same snares and guitar plucks from eight years ago. You may think I'm going to now completely trash the entire album, but I'm not. There are a few nice tracks, Pharrell still knows how to USE those tired sounds, which is obviously more important than the familiarity (and possible apathy) of the sounds themselves. The cut with Snoop, the cut with Slim Thug and the excellently smooth Take It Off all stand out. Unfortunately, the guest appearances by Pusha T, Jay-Z & Kanye West are all fantastically underwhelming. I don't know if I'll listen to this much in a few months but even though it's not interesting, it's not uninteresting, if that's a compliment.

Pharrell Williams - Raspy Shit

The other two tracks I posted are pretty much polar opposites, and shining examples of what can frustrate me so much about The Neptunes. The Ludacris song is a nice stab at being a party cut, but I don't know why he would make it his first single, he's enjoying a bit of a renaissance as a lyrical beast, you can find some of his other new tracks on the internet and they're jaw dropping, and this track certainly is not. The Clipse/Slim Thug song, on the other hand, is an absolute MONSTER. Apparently they gave the beat to Foxy and then she went deaf and they gave it to Clipse and now she wants it back and I don't even care enough about that story to post a link to AHH or whatever. CLIPSE FUCKING KILL THAT SHIT THOUGH GOD DAMN.

Clipse feat. Slim Thug - What It Do (Wamp Wamp)
Ludacris feat. Pharrell - Money Maker

I refuse to post some weird clean version...

2006-07-12T13:16:00.000-07:00

But Snoop/Pharrell "Vato" is FIRE.

I'll hit y'all with a CDQ when I get it...

Vivid like I live it...

2006-07-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

I guess spitting writtens on Rap City is mostly wack but...

Fam's shit was dope, the whole Show You How flow jacking was ill...

This is way better.

Fam-Lay feat. Pharrell - Beeper
DJ Khaled feat. Freeway & Clipse - Where You At

Who want what with Sean Puff the don dutch don juan with Chandon I'm Sean John'd up..

This is gangster...

2006-06-15T08:41:00.000-07:00

I'M SO NICE I TOOK THE LAST TWO POSTS OFF

From Berlin.

Saw Brasil sneeeeeeak by Croatia. SWEDEN and Paraguay tonight.

Thoughts thus far (Note: The Z and Y on the German keyboard have switched places, and it's far too difficult to keep hitting what I know to be Z when I want a Y so zou'll have to deal with it)
- Ronaldo = fat
- The Croats were overwhelminglz loud and boisterous and most of all nice. Despite singing and jumping to the point that the train was shaking on the waz to the stadium, I never once felt threatened in mz cute little Adriano jersez. With that said, thez are all 6'9" and bearded and frightening and drinking at 9 in the morning
- Bike tour of Berlin is a must, I feel like I saw half the citz in 18 hours, we rented todaz and took a guided tour zesterdaz from Fat Tire (too layz to link)
- the z/y thing is absurd, that....................................................^^ was not a tzpo)
- Robinho = faSt
- I don't see whz Sven is even considering starting Roonez tonight. 15 minutes to match as I tzpe this, and despite the fact that I'm pulling for T&T thez are just not going to take England bz surprise.
- Watched the DEUTSCHLAND v POLEN game in a beer garden, the place erupted when ODonkor put it on the monez to Neuville. Is ODonkor from Berlin? The entire garden went wild everz time he had a touch. That goal also convenientlz made everzone forget about both Ballack and Klose hitting the bar from point blank. Walking through the citz was then nuts, never once threatening to get out of control (the police presence here is 78 times more than thez need, not necessarilz a bad thing), but the entire countrz was ecstatic. If Germanz wins it all (doubtful) it will be unbelievable here.
- Mz predictions as of right now. It's not particularlz difficult to predict who will advance after one group has alreadz been decided but who cares I'm doing it anzwaz.

Group A
Germanz
Ecuador

B
England
Sweden

C
Argentina
Netherlands

D
Portugal
Mexico

E
Czechs
USA (Pretty please?)

F
Brazil
Croatia

G
South Korea
Switzerland

H
Spain
Tunisia

Probablz all wrong. No idea when I'll be able to update next. How is the new Clipse video?

Nevermind the hiatus...

2006-06-04T14:26:00.000-07:00

Colorado for family shit, then off to Germany for the World Cup.

Matches I'll be seeing...
USA v Italy
Brazil v Australia
Brazil v Croatia
Ivory Coast v Netherlands (Can I say Holland or is that rude?)
Sweden v Paraguay

Not in that order

Pharrell & Clipse - Come Go Wit Me (Incarcerated Scarfaces Freestyle)

Back the 21stish.

Comin' through your fuckin' roadblock...

2006-06-01T11:17:00.000-07:00

Pharrell/Kanye - Number 1 Video

The video isn't that bad but goddammit that song fucking sucks. It's really a shame to see how these two went from two of my favorite producers/rappers into enormously pretentious egomaniacs.

Kanye had that whole soulful hustler vibe going, rapping about hating his job at Gap and loving Jesus and not how cute his handbag is. I still enjoy College Dropout, it's a raw album and filled with shit we can all relate too. He never claimed to be anything BUT a common man and that was part of his appeal. All this shit got to his head though. He thought weak ass Be was a classic, overproduced the John Legend CD (if you want to hear a true showcase of his talent, peep his live joints), and is now trying to push Consequence aka I-Wasn't-Good-Enough-For-ATCQ-And-Am-Still-Trying-To-Relive-It on us. Then came the self indulgent Late Registration, which I sort of liked at first, but hasn't found its way repeatedly into my cd player the way Dropout can. Why would a pretentious producer (Kanye) enlist another pretentious producer (Brion) to help make his album? It transformed his work into a soft lush soundscape which I don't want to hear. It went from brilliance - the panning of the strings and sample on Gone - to let's put some slow strings over a beat and pretend it's good - the abherration that is Bring Me Down. Now he just prances around like Karl Lagerfeld and dresses himself up like Jesus for photo shoots. Basically, stop trying to pull this jiggy shit and get back to making GOOD music which is what you were supposed to be doing in the first place.

I clearly enjoy the music of Pharrell Williams. I named my site after a song he sings, and salivate over new Neptunes material. Yet his decision to eliminate Chad Hugo from his forthcoming CD puzzles me, and every song I've heard from it, well, sucks. I remember going to the first NERD site and playing the snippets from the album before it released over and over and over. When I first heard Super Thug, with its attacking guitar and snares that invaded the speakers, I was hooked. The Neptunes used their nerdiness to their advantage - taking sounds no one else would think to use (besides Timbo, and that's an argument for another day) and making them hot as shit. Who the fuck else could turn mouth clicks into the hottest song of the year? They went from a rock/rap hybrid production team into a creative in-house production machine (Lord Willin' still knocks and Grindin' remains the crowning achievement of their career) into a space funk phase, dropping jaws with the drums on Light Your Ass On Fire and the depths of It Blows My Mind. Even when they stayed within the boundaries they had set, it never really got boring. They had the uncanny ability to re-use a sound without tiring it out to some extent; listen to the similarities of Hot Damn and Young Boy, or the live instrumentation of Ma I Don't Love Her and Beautiful. Even the Vegas shit they've brought out recently was okay - it had it's moments (Excuse Me Miss) but even still they were pushing the envelope (Excuse Me Miss Again and the delightfully weird Fly or Die album). And then Pharrell met Nigo and BBC dropped and a whole bunch of bad shit happened. Every song I've heard from In My Mind has sucked, sounding like throwaway beats and being boring and predictable. The BBCIcecream mixtape was unlistenable - the only time Pharrell really killed a track was over Incarcerated Scarfaces, only to have Pusha come in 15 seconds later and annihilate it (that verse deserves a post of its own). I can't say if it's Pharrell & Chad that have fallen into a ditch or just Pharrell, but as all this shit got to their head the music sounds uninspired. As frustrating as that may be, it's even more frustrating when you consider the fact that they can still make a dope beat by doing shit they haven't done before - see: Mr. Me Too. Unfortunately, all of In My Mind looks to be the same routine, the beats sounding like Touch and Pharrell singing like a bad Prince/MJ collabo. I could go through and list all the songs that I hope it will sound like, but that won't happen so I won't.

Anyways, that was a long rant without much structure and rather pointless and it may seem like I'm dickriding, but I'm rather upset that my favorite production duo (The Neptunes) and a producer who used to be fresh as fuck (Kanye West) have eschewed their creativity for cookie cutter tracks because they know the public will buy it because they are Williams and West. I could go into the whole "selling-out" thing (that's three spinoff posts I can do already) but I won't. I would just like an album or some beats or some shit that I DIDN'T know these guys could do.

HOT SAUCE TO GO...

2006-05-29T21:05:00.000-07:00

New Busta CD is decent, Dre tracks are SERIOUS.

Shit drops jaws like DWY W.

GET IT SON

Busta Rhymes feat. Q-Tip & Marsha of Floetry - Get You Some

Son copped the dreamcast!

Tom Breihan doesn't like Rick Ross.

But I do.

Not over yet, though.

Cop It Like It's Hot...

2006-05-18T17:20:00.000-07:00

R E U P G A N G

Don't Underrate My Pen...

2006-05-07T17:05:00.000-07:00

Finals are a bitch, back to killer Cali on the 10th, hopefully the summer should bring more updates.

Here's some more shit. Meth cut is a little soft for me, but nice to get some material from him and Lauryn. Oh, and don't sleep on the Mood.

Method Man feat. Lauryn Hill - Things They Say

Mood - Secrets of the Sand (Jay Dilla Remix)

Classic shit. We take flights and live it like never before.

Pep Love - Pacific Heights

I feel you big...

2006-04-14T11:27:00.000-07:00

Dirty

Not clean

This blogging shit has fallen off, I apologize but school, E. 1999, and getting fucked up have gotten in the way. We'll be back at it.

Young scrap lemme fill you in
B Sig be a mac like Fillmore Slim.

She ain't speak...

2006-04-01T10:10:00.000-08:00

Must've thought my Porsche was a civic...

What is this, for it is the fire which we desire from them VA dudes (no homo).

Clipse feat. Heron, Stimuli & Shaliek Rivers - On My Shit

Til our thumbs get the papercuts...

2006-03-29T18:54:00.000-08:00

Yeah them too.

Theodore Unit, AKA the Al-Qaeda...

2006-03-28T08:26:00.000-08:00

Midterms are garbage, here's some cuts to tide you over...

Theodore Unit feat. Solomon Childs - Work
T.I. feat. P$C & Young Dro - Bankhead
Hittman feat. Dr. Dre - The Hiznit

(Remember those retarded verses on 2001? I do.)

What you gon' do?

2006-03-23T18:56:00.000-08:00

New TIP album is tough.

The King is Back...

2006-03-19T19:13:00.000-08:00

Spring break was ill, lamped in South Beach (club sightings included TO and, fittingly, King James), then headed back to the freezing cold Bay Area for four days to recharge.

I don't have much time, but The King is Back is clearly the better track to me, both are produced by Mr. Just Blaze. Regardless, the album is shaping up to be chock full of baaaaaaaaaaaangers.

T.I. - I'm Talking to You
T.I. - The King's Back (Just kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiilled this shit.)

Spring Break...

2006-03-15T21:03:00.000-08:00

More shit coming soon, plus I'll be writing some reviews at OKP...

Call me subwoofer...

2006-03-06T14:08:00.000-08:00

Clipse - Coast 2 Coast (Jake One Remix)
Clipse - VA Streetz (Produced By Nottz)

Holler at Benzi for that shit, he's got the tape coming soon, including the new single "Mr. Me Too"...

This is a good thing, as single = album. Fuck it, single = new Clipse + Neptunes. I mean damn, it's been time for a minute and a half.

Ummmmmm...

2006-03-05T18:30:00.000-08:00

Pharrell feat. Malice - Frontin' (Live)

Hopefully this direct download shit should work...

2006-02-26T14:54:00.000-08:00

NC stand up...

Jenkz Entertainment

Trump & Broadway - Ray Charles

BRING DA MOTHERFUCKING RUCKUS...

2006-02-18T17:02:00.000-08:00

I went to the show in Ft. Lauderdale last night, and that shit was out of control. I don't remember much but here is what I do remember.

We got there at like 10 (the doors opened at 9) high as fuck and hyped to see Wu. They predicatably took FOREVER to get on stage, they didn't come out until like 1, and people were booing the DJ (who the fuck plays Dear Mama at a concert?) after he ran out of songs. ANYWAYS, Trife came out and did Biscuits, people were like ok let's get them out.

Here is the part that you cannot underestimate - when you go to a concert and just see these legends chilling on stage. I would jump at the chance to see Rae, or Ghost, or RZA live, but seeing the entire Clan is an experience that I can't describe, you just have to find a way to be a part of it.

I don't really remember the songs they did, but they basically ran through every classic, the highlights were Triumph (the whole place spit Deck's verse), CREAM, Method Man, We Pop (RZA spraying the whole crowd with champagne), Da Rockwilder, Wu Tang Clan Ain't Nothing To Fuck With (place WILDED) & Run. Also, for Cherchez La Ghost, Ghost brought up like 20 girls out of the crowd and had them grind on him, while the whole crew was yelling shit like "Get your pussy moist". It was probably the most absurd thing I had ever seen.

Let me just break down how the whole crew was, Meth was by far the most charismatic (and fucked up) and got the crowd into it more than anyone. Ghost (who was way bigger than I expected) and RZA were the other ones who got the most hyped, while Rae & Deck just lamped in the back and then spit their verses. They all sounded good live, except maybe GZA, I couldn't really understand what he was saying. Even U-God, Masta Killa & Cappa came and spit nicely.

All I can really say is it's an incredible experience, I can't overstate how ill it is to see all these dudes onstage together (RIP ODB) and they still have their chemistry.

And yeah, this isn't very good writing or whatever, I don't care, the day has been a waste and my goal is to give you an idea of how the concert was and encourage you to go, not flex my literary prowess.

In other news...

2006-02-17T13:13:00.000-08:00

Timbaland, Bubba Sparxxx, Baby & Lil' Wayne - Tell Me Bout The South

I don't know what this is from or when it comes out but the beat WRECKS.

Wu Tang Clan

2006-02-17T11:26:00.000-08:00

AIN'T NOTHING TO FUCK WITH.

Concert tonight, should be off the hook.

Ft. Lauderdale, recap will be forthcoming if I don't get too fucked up.

If you see me in the beat up Js and either the shirt I copped from Emynd or my Fly or Die jumpoff - say what up.

What beef?

2006-02-12T13:20:00.000-08:00

This shouldn't be possible.

It really shouldn't.

They shouldn't be allowed to make something this hot.

Cam'ron feat. Lil' Wayne - Suck It Or Not

Sum shit I wrote...

2006-02-01T18:33:00.000-08:00

Players we ain't the same...

Mr. Gotty had me throw some shit down for him. Go peep it and get all that Clipse heat you knew you needed.

I stay weededed...

2006-01-25T09:48:00.000-08:00

Isaiah Thomas accused of sexual harassment

The lawsuit also alleges that Thomas told Browne Sanders he was pushing for more home games at noon on Sundays. His plan, according to Browne Sanders, was to have opposing players go to certain clubs, including strip clubs, that Thomas had connections with on Saturday nights and get them drunk so they would be sluggish for the game the next day.

There's been a dearth of new/notable music lately, so let me give you some of my thoughts.

- Y'all niggas get front page articles mention Jay-Z name
Nooooooot because of any of Jay's dis tracks or snakes in the grass or oochie wally wally, but because what the hell has Esco done since '96 besides the beef? Not to beat a dead horse, but I don't really give a shit about Ether or Takeover because they are entertaining for a certain period of time, yet hold no true impact over the career arc of the artists. Besides the benefits and publicity Nas received from the beef, nothing really came of it - he dropped an ok God's Son and a tremendously boring Streets Disciple. I'm considering this relevant because of the whole Giles v. Carter fracas. Unless Cam comes out with a track so damaging that we can no longer listen to Jay, five years down the road we won't be talking about You Gotta Love It. We'll be talking about what they did after, if Cam's post-Killa Season effort lived up to his superb track record, and if Jay's forthcoming comeback album is as hot as it should be. This beef shit is irrelevant without good music. (And y'all buy this shit caught up in the hype)

- TI album info
Album Title: The King
Label: Grand Hustle/Atlantic
Beats: Rich Rubin, Neptunes, Just Blaze, Hi-Tek, Kwame, Fury, DJ Toomp. Don Cannon, Chad West, Khano, Keith Mack, Lil' C, Black Mob, Big Resse
Features: Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, P$C, Lil' Wayne, B.G., Alicia Keys, Young Dro, Governor
First Single: Ride Wit Me
Sales Pitch: "Trap Muzik laid the foundation, but missed a couple mainstream recors. Urban Legend was great, but it missed the creativity people wanted from me. King is my most well-rounded project since I'm Serious."

I'm SERIOUSLY checking for this album, probably more so than anything besides the new Rae and that Clipse album that I've given up on. I think he might be working with a few too many big name producers, and not sticking with his signature Toomp sounds, but that Leak shit was hot and TIP can hold my attention like few rappers in the game. Shit, though. Rick Rubin? Neptunes? Just Blaaaaaze? Looks like fire.

Oh, and fuck Ride Wit Me as the first single, What You Know is the hottest cut of a young '06.

- David at So Many Shrimp feels exactly as I do about the new Ghost album on the way.

- Clipse in NYC on March 3rd.

Oh, and BG + Mannie Fresh > Baby + Weezy F + A bunch of east coast producers on an overrated album.

Killa Season...

2006-01-18T18:57:00.000-08:00

http://www.thefader.com/blog/articles/2006/01/18/i-declare-war

Beyonce, fiance, check my second LP.

REGARDLESS of who you think will win, who is better, etc - Cam got at Jay.

That shit was HARSH.

Am I High Presents: The Amazing Mix for Getting Fucking High as Shit

2006-01-17T12:09:00.000-08:00

I only updated three times over the last month. Gotty, who gets on his grind and updates daily, constantly gave me shit for being a lazy fuck. There was, however, a good reason for that. I was smoking weed and listening to music. I started my Christmas break back in San Francisco with an un-ambitious iPod mix, titled 00amazing. It evolved into the ultimate smoking mix, every song with a mesmerizing beat and lyrics that stretch the mind. Anyone would like this mix, it has classic tracks, unknown tracks and forgotten tracks. Certain tracks have been on it the whole time, some tracks got taken off and some just added. Buy a blunt and some herb, smoke and listen to this shit.

Part 2 is coming soon.

And I know the HIGHlight thing is corny, but fuck you.

Jay-Z - Diamond Is Forever
The crowning glory of Blueprint 2 brings undulating synths and a driving bass, along with an impassioned Young Chris raising the masses to Jay’s ferocious wordplay.
HIGHlight
Mr. Carter peaks in the second verse, defending his habits (we just chilling watching chandelier ceilings high as fuck) and wealth. Enough ‘dro places you in the Trump Towers, smoking a blunt and being fed grapes by Beyonce. A more captivating verse we’ve hardly heard.

50 Cent - Position of Power
I don’t usually listen to 50 Cent, but this gem from the underrated (yes, I said it) Massacre mesmerizes with tinkling piano and an aggressive bassline. It’s not easy to convince someone who shares my tastes to listen to 50, especially in the coveted two spot on a mix, but Position of Power could make a believer out of anyone.
HIGHlight
The hook captures the desperation of the newly coined trap-hop while inspiring those on the come up to go blow a stack on jewels.

Bun B feat. Pimp C, Z-Ro, Young Jeezy & Jay-Z - Get Throwed
This shit came off Bun’s uninspired solo effort. Luckily, Pimp Chad comes through in his Polo (Fuck that Hilfiger), and two of Def Jam’s finest bring the heat. Jeezy’s understated verse reigns supreme here – he can get as fucked up as he wants and still come out on top. He lets Jay play the Rockefeller hustle and sneaks through on his grind, capturing the hearts and ears of those of us not privileged enough to puff on yachts.
HIGHlight
The highlight is easily the beginning of the song. Guitar synths precede an entrancing triton, flowing up and down the octave until the much missed half of UGK can implore us to “Smoke something, bitch.” Indeed.

David Banner feat. Too $hort, Jazze Pha & Bun B - Take Your
David Banner’s banger about bitches. Say that five times fast. The drums are a creative combination of Timbaland’s depth and energy and the Heatmakerz hunger on the kick, but this track belongs to our misogynistic heroes. Either Too $hort is fucking her good, or she’s a damn good actress. You better hide your Grandmama or David Banner will fuck her too. Seriously. Bun B restores us to semi-consciousness. When he thought it was the 5-0 sweating him for the endo, we leave our grown ass pimp fantasy and stop swerving all over the road.
HIGHlight
After the beat drops, Too $hort immediately grabs our attention with a verse that makes Banner’s look relatively tame. You a bitch ass nigga with a badass bitch, bitch nigga. Overwhelming lyricism and depth it’s not, but I doubt anyone has ever sounded so convincing.

Jay-Z - Blueprint 2
I wouldn’t think to include a dis track on this mix, but this is not your typical dis track. On Takeover, Jay’s main focus was Nas being a bitch. This has plenty of that, but Jay cares more about us knowing that he’s hardcore as fuck and on the top of his game.
HIGHlight
For whatever reason, listening to The Hov high brings out another dimension to his lyrics. When he dances around “saving me the hassle of speaking to half of these assholes” the brilliant wordplay that is not as easily apparent as, say, an Illmatic reveals itself.

Cam’ron - Intro
After being pushed back months and months, Purple Haze finally hit the streets. I intended to go through the entire CD and revel in all the new Cam material. That was unnecessary. This shit exhilarated me, and I ended up hitting the repeat button right after hearing what was the then six month old intro to Killa Cam. With perhaps the most intoxicating intro in the history of music, Mr. Giles outlines his plan for world domination, getting this shit popping and bouncing, and getting his dog Zeke situated.
HIGHlight
The highlight could easily be Cam making an unrelenting attack on this entire cut, but the subtlety of his epic backing track reveals itself in the panning toms and crashing bells.

N*E*R*D feat. Malice - Am I High
This shouldn’t come as a surprise. The Neptunes employ keyboards that ride the grand piano, entering and exiting the ear. This shit can be just perfect sometimes. What up Malice.
HIGHlight
Let the underrated drums wash you away, as Spymob’s lagging hats and cymbals complement the kicks and sharp snares.

Dr. Dre feat. Hittman - Big Ego’s
No smoking mix is complete without a Dre track. The drums and mastering of the album are rendered even more important through a smoky haze. The better question is which track to choose? Still DRE is played out, Murder Ink too intense, Xxplosive too obvious. Big Ego’s fits the mood perfectly – this was made to blow dro to, and the AC Green reference is a nice tough. If only Hittman had gotten his act together and dropped an album.
HIGHlight
Hittman’s surprisingly complex verse causes some serious neck snapping. Aftermathers we rule shit, I’m big Hitt, don’t confuse me with no other ‘bout to blow motherfucker.

The Am I High Mix Part 1

Be Easy...

2006-01-16T12:05:00.000-08:00

Back in Miami, drinking heavily.

Big feature on music + marijuana is on the way.

'Til your ass layin' down in the grass and I laugh...

2006-01-06T12:54:00.000-08:00

Y'all reaaaaaaaaaaally need to get up on this new DJ Drame/TIP tape. It's got some cuts from the album and my goodness gosh golly, this track is gully (LOOK AT IT'S GALOSHES).

T.I. feat. Bun B & Mannie Fresh - Front, Back & Side to Side

New Years Resolution...

2005-12-31T12:04:00.000-08:00

The Roots - New Years at Jay Dee's

Dilla with the crisp snares.

Happy New Years all...

Mamacita...

2005-12-21T16:38:00.000-08:00

Google image search Mamacita.

I know it's been a minute and a half since I've updated this shit, but I've been busy.

I'm looking forward to Pharrell's album for three reasons.

1. Jay
2. I enjoy Pharrell's music
3. He's been on some different shit lately. I think the problem with Clones was that it was too one dimensional. P (and Chad) had found that little space funk niche and tried to get away with it for a whole album. The same snares and guitars wore out their welcome and the album never reached the status it could have. I mean, Luda, Jay, Clipse, Jada etc. all on an album that is usually ignored. So if In My Mind does turn out to be Mr. Williams rehashing the same formula (a new formula, mind you, the man is not Swizz Beatz) that tires after four or five listens I'll be disappointed.

So.

Pharrell has released three singles as of yet. Can I Have It Like That saw him doing his best Diddy impression - shitty lines (Nelly Furtado?), hot lines (Stephen Hawking) and explosions in the video - yet the song grows on one and became minimally annoying (although not quite enjoyable). He gave us Angel, his piano bounce ballad about girls with asses like loaves of bread, and now Mamacita. P lets the pianos slide through this one, ignores Daddy Yankee's pointless appearance and brings back his flow. None of these songs are particular standouts - I can't envision myself playing any of them six months from now, and Angel in particular doesn't hold up to the test of time. Yet I'm pleased to hear him come from three completely different directions, the only consistency is the keys on Angel and Mamacita. An album with completely different sounds is all I'm asking for.

Pharrell Williams feat. Daddy Yankee - Mamacita

Suede and linen, champ...

2005-12-05T13:23:00.000-08:00

Cam'ron - No Thanks To You (Dynasty Freestyle)

It's that old Cam'ron shit. 25 degrees, 145th Street winter music. The soul samples, the charisma, the paper.

Cam'ron feat. Nicole Wray - Love My Life

Some things never change.

Flipping Paid in Full with plenty of paper.

Where is the album?

Clipse - Hard or Soft

Some of that old shit.

(Players we ain' the same I'm into caine and guns.)

This is the remix...

2005-12-02T10:26:00.000-08:00

Back then, the Clipse mixtape was just a twinkle in Benzi's eye. With a couple spots left on the joint, he hit me up this morning with some good news.

With the Clipse "We Got The Remix" mixtape coming soon along with the offical DVD.. there are still a few open slots on the tape. All you aspiring producers/djs/wannabes can run over to www.djbenzi.com/remix and cop the acapella. Throw everything you have at that shit, because (to quote, "basically if you create the best one.. ill toss it in the mix.. and youll join the ranks of dj megastars on the tape, and youll be instantly famous." Not bad. So grab that shit, get your grind on, and throw it over to djbenzi@aol.com.

Meanwhile, The Roots are gonna be at the University of Miami tonight. I saw them live with N*E*R*D and Talib Kweli, needless to say they rocked it. Hopefully I won't be too drunk and come back with blurry pictures.

Look, Wayne...

2005-11-29T09:59:00.000-08:00

I gargle gumbo and spit jambalaya

That's riiiiiiiiight...

2005-11-23T11:04:00.000-08:00

It feels good to be home, baby.

Young Jeezy & Pusha T - Movin' Weight

I'm not sure if Jeezy recycled the entire verse from the Mariah remix or just parts of it. This collaboration was inevitable, and I'm very happy about it. Anything with Pusha on it catches my immediate attention. He doesn't really have any quotables in it, but he has the charisma (not unlike Jeezy) to rip a track without really ripping it. He's so positive of his skill at slanging dope that we don't even care what he's saying, we automatically believe him.

The agony of defeat...

2005-11-20T08:52:00.000-08:00

N*E*R*D - Run To The Sun (Live in Amsterdam)

Ray J performs Coldplay's Clocks

One Wish was a legitimate guilty pleasure for me, but watching Ray J have epileptic seizures at the beginning of the song rates as one of the funniest things I've ever seen. This is like Chris Martin trying to perform In Da Club.

We could play the White House...

2005-11-17T15:31:00.000-08:00

Ray J feat. Fabolous - One Wish (DJ Clue Remix)

Smitty feat. Lil' Wayne & Twista - Diamonds (remix)

Both of these songs are pure unadulterated fun.

New Ray J beat is SICK, Clue killed the bassline.

And yes, that is Steve Francis smoking the rock.

Oh Boy Oberto

2005-11-15T09:12:00.000-08:00

Teriyaki Boyz feat. Pharrell - L.A.R.G.E.

This is like a really bad joke.

Oh daddy...

2005-11-14T13:44:00.000-08:00

It's mac, daddy, not your daddy mac
Bitch you got it criscrossed, scrap
I can't have you back
Look how you acted when I had your back
Picture me havin' that back to back
I pimp proper like shrimp lobster
Check out my pimp posture
Even my limp proper
Mama I can't help what's running down your face
I moved your ass into that furnished space
Like you earned that place

Beanie Sigel feat. Young Chris - Oh Daddy

How you drop from celebrity status?

I'm not gonna assign a number value to how nasty Beans is. Y'all sleep on the Young Gunz, ride to Tough Luv and tell me they're weak. Freeway gets respect. Peedi can bring it. Beans is on a whole other level though.

I could've picked the requisite Beans-thug-kill-you-raw track. He's got a good dozen in which he flips his rough voice every which way, changing schemes and dropping jaws. But you have to understand, Mac is a versatile rapper. He KILLED that club shit - we all know how Mac come through on a club tip (everybody real deep on that thug shit). So could he do something for the ladies? This is not a bitch track. This is Beans slapping the broad, get your act right bitch. He's mean, he doesn't need you, he's a beast.

Jay-Z feat. Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek & Amil - You Me Him & Her

Enough said.

I ain't going down without a fight...

2005-11-13T12:34:00.000-08:00

The concert last night was sort of a disappointment, and sort of not. We got there in time to see D4L ROCK Laffy Taffy. The whole arena was going nuts. We'd been heavily drinking since about 3, and during the break between their set and Ray J snuck/stumbled into VIP. Had no idea where in the fuck we were until they started giving us free Heinekens and steak sandwiches. Spent the next two hours getting shitfaceder and politicking with some Haitian photographers. I ended up with a Henny and coke in one hand and a Corona in the other. Who can floss like us? We were kicked out a little after I dropped a beer and made a mess. I have to give a shout to Bob at the carving station, holding it down even though he knew we were incognito.

After that, the concert was boring as shit. Never even saw Three 6, YoungBloodz didn't show, Mike Jones didn't show. I don't like Omarion. So we're bored and drunk as shit, the DJ has been going for like 90 minutes, and we sneak under the bleachers into backstage. This time we didn't last, but as I was getting kicked out I saw Trick Daddy. Holler.

The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Jay-Z - What You Want

Chorus is wack as shit, BIG rips it. Jay does the whole I'm gonna come on here and steal the show. Not quite the Go Crazy remix, but close. Beat is done by Timbaland's protege. It's not Brooklyn's Finest or I Love The Dough, but I'll play it.

3 6 Mafia at Miami Tonight...

2005-11-12T12:18:00.000-08:00

Hopefully I won't get killed.

Mobb Deep - Win or Lose (Chopped & Screwed)

Straight for paper, paper chaser...

2005-11-09T11:02:00.000-08:00

Gangster gangster, gangster gangster.

Juelz Santana is not the best rapper in the game. He is not the most charismatic (Killa!). He doesn't have the best wordplay, flow, lyrics, delivery. He says things that don't make sense (I've got a whole collection, of my ho collection), he says things that would come off as crass from anyone else (Kill yourself - The entire song).

Yet we listen ever so closely. Connor posted a short memoir of his love for Cam. I could do that. Cam is up there for me, top 3 favorites of all time, top 3 greatest of all time (Yeah I said it. Jay, BIG & Cam). Well, I can talk about Juelz like he's up there. Because although in actuality he SHOULDN'T be up there, when the new tape leaks, or he's on Rap City, the buzz is as tangible as that of a heavyweight's.

I first heard him on the What Means The World Remix. No one remembers that verse, understandably. UGK, Cam, Trina and Luda acted a fool on that track, and money just stayed in the background, happily playing the part of the young protege. Diplomatic Immunity came next. Juelz was Hungry, spitting that raw raw, making us believe in his talent and his ghetto. Hop scotch on niggas' faces' left his ankles bad. He wasn't there yet - Cam kept "I Really Mean It" all to himself, but he was on the come up. From Me 2 U, he showed his softer side. Album could've been harder, no promotional push, Juelz Dip Dipped. The interludes. Guest appearances and a mediocre DI2. Sick freestyles. Three dirty mixtapes (1. Round Here 2. Bandana 3. Pick It Up). Now Juelz is running with the new breed. Talking about an album with Jeezy, having Lil' Wayne pop up on tracks. Doper than actual dope. The album, What The Game's Been Missing has arrived.

I can't talk about the impact of the album. It hasn't hit the streets, hasn't even been leaked for 24 hours. It may flop, it may blow up. But Juelz has cemented himself in my pantheon. He's like the Vince Vaughn of rap, menacing yet friendly - making fantastic guest appearances, and capable of carrying his own album every once in a while. Would any of you NOT want to kick it with Juelz?

I don't want to post any more tracks. Go buy the album. I know I will.

Don't Listen, Just Picture It

2005-11-08T23:12:00.000-08:00

Juelz Santana - Rumble Young Man, Rumble

Album is mind blowing.

More to come.

I'm still enjoying life's ride...

2005-11-06T07:52:00.000-08:00

Nas - Doo Rags

The Game - Put Me Under

I'm too tall to act small...

2005-11-02T16:28:00.000-08:00

http://amihigh.com
http://www.amihigh.com

You'll never be able to say that these brothers lied to you, Jack.

Jay-Z - PSA Part 2

Pharrell Williams - I'm A G (freestyle)

Songs I Cannot Stop Playing...

2005-11-01T09:25:00.000-08:00

Yeah so we have this shit going for us.

I'm just gonna throw down a couple remixes and some new Jueeeeeeeeeeelz. The new mixtape is absurd, the man is about to take over the entire world.

I hope you don't mind Rapidshare, these files are all small enough that it shouldn't be a big deal and right now Rapidshare is the only reliable upload...

Nas feat. Pharrell - Flyest Angel
Nas feat. Pharrell - Flyest Angel ($100 Remix)

This shit comes in waves for me, I'll go through spurts where I play it a ridiculous amount every 7-8 months.

Jay-Z - My 1st Song (Defikon Remix)

I know we're all sick of the Black Album remix, but this shit is like driving fast through the city. Claaassy shit.

Juelz Santana feat. Lil' Wayne - Pick It Up
Juelz Santana - Fat Bitch

Both of these songs are perhaps the most brilliant recordings in the history of music. Words cannot describe Weezy's shine and Juelz's (is it Juelz's? Juelz'? Juelz'z? Someone help me.) aptitude for comedy. Christ.

Judging by my steel I got something to do here...

2005-10-30T08:18:00.000-08:00

Clipse feat. Rosco P. Coldchain - At Your Door (radio rip)

Can we please just release the fucking album?

All these mixtapes and "leaks" and fake news and shit about Clipse upsets me way more than it should.

Pink feat. Redman - Get This Party Started (Rockwilder Remix)

Outkast feat. Rage Against The Machine - B.O.B. (remix)

So it goes.

Three things.

2005-10-27T10:56:00.000-07:00

I'm in DC right now, stranded thanks to Wilma, and doing a campus crawl. Posting from my cousin's comp.

1. When I think, I think in English. When French people think, they think in French. You know those tribes that speak in clicking noises? Do they think in clicking noises? Someone please tell me the answer.

2. One Soulful Negro has a previously unheard Pharrell/Timbaland collabo. SBI was chill to me (FRESH if you're high, though). The drums in this are clearly Tim's, I'm guessing Pharrell just threw in some shit on the track. Who really cares though, this shit is hot.

3. Go here for the new(ish) Pharrell single "She's An Angel". This was one of the first Pharrell singles that I liked right off the bat. When Frontin' dropped - hated it. Fly or Die - hated it. Can I Have It - hated it. For whatever reason, his music rewards repeat listening. Frontin' blew up. Fly or Die became one of my all time favorite albums, and Can I Have It has passed tolerable into enjoyable. I'll let you decide about She's An Angel...

I got enough money in the bank for the two of us...

2005-10-19T09:34:00.000-07:00

This is better than the first remix. They turned down Gwen's voice.

I still don't like her, but I like this song.

Gwen Stefani feat. Ludacris - Luxurious (Zone 4 Remix)

Everyone say thank you to DJ Benzi for the track.

I give the party people what they like...

2005-10-14T10:30:00.000-07:00

I only posted that MC pic because it makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

Three day weekend baby, allow me to just throw up some shit that I'm listening to. You will enjoy it. That and I might as well put this iDisk shit to use.

I fold up MCs like money it ain't funny.

The Alkaholiks - Read My Lips

An arguably better version of Slow Jamz. I had iTunes on shuffle and this came on. The part where Collipark rides out the sample is pure brilliance

Twista - Slow Jamz (Collipark Remix)

Riding something candy coated crawling like a caterpillar. Unfortunately, this leaves out Paul's fantastic verse, but the string arrangement is gorgeous. The kind of shit Brion would have composed and then threw away, only to bring it back and dropped the collective jaws of a nation.

Kanye West feat. GLC - Drive Slow (Live at Abbey Studios)

Yeah yeah you know it.

Big things are coming up.
Working on getting a dedicated server and maybe moving the beauty that is Am I High to another location with Gotty et al at The Smoking Section.
Working on a Pharrell feature for Inquiring Mind.
Expect to be hearing a lot more about Realist Records. I was at a house party politicking with OJ Simpson's son and didn't even realize it was the kin of the Juice. Real nice guy though. His freestyle was written, but it was still hot. And trust my beatbox was knocking shit out.

DJ Benzi and many others are working on a Clipse remix tape. Be on the lookout for that.

What it do.

Go see Kanye West live.

2005-10-12T08:23:00.000-07:00

I'm just showing off because I wore that.

Kanye West Live, Oct. 11
Set list
Touch The Sky
We Don't Care
Workout Plan
Addiction
Late
Drive Slow w/GLC
Spaceship w/GLC & Consequence
Gone w/Consequence
Get Em High w/Common
Go w/Common
Golddigger
Roses
Heard Em Say
Hey Mama
All Falls Down
Through The Wire
Slow Jamz
Jesus Walks
Bring Me Down
We Major feat. Really Doe
Celebration
Diamonds

The man puts on a really great show. He has the most energy of anyone I've ever seen, and the crowd involvement was out of control. The whole arena had the diamonds in the air. I've seen Ye live before, and he didn't disappoint, but this was a whole other level. A-Trak was ok on the 1s and 2s, but he fucked up Slow Jamz once, and the live orchestra was a nice touch.

Highlights
Him runng out to Touch the Sky - you could just tell dude was on top of the world, people were going nuts.
New Workout Plan - did the whole techno part - I was high and it was a lot of fun to clap along.
Get 'Em High - between him and Common bouncing around on stage and the beat rocking I thought the house was gonna come down. He needs to do this song at every show he ever does the rest of his life.
Hey Mama - His Mom was in the building for the night and he sang it right to her in the front row
All Falls Down - "And George Bush getting paid off of all of that" - people seemed to like that.
Through The Wire - The ROC is in the building
Slow Jamz - The entire arena singing along, I thought they were gonna bring out Twista but it didn't happen. So Ye went to his second verse from CD and nobody knew it.
Jesus Walks - If you've been to a Kanye show, you know how incredible this song is live. If not, my words can't do it justice - go see him. This, Touch the Sky & Get 'Em High are worth the price of admission alone.
Diamonds - <>

Lowlights
Addiction/Late back to back - these cuts are alright, but they sort of put the crowd to sleep. I should've gone and gotten another mini pizza.
Common - He ROCKED Get 'Em High, then did Go and left. I wanted dude to at least do a couple of his hits, people were fiending for him to come back out.
Bring Me Down - He should've done this earlier with all the songs that no one really digs
Celebration - Ditto
Diamonds - He hadn't brought out anyone big and we were all waiting for it. So when he paused after "What's up with you and Jay man is y'all okay" the entire arena held their collective breath. Then he just kept rapping. Sort of a letdown.

All in all, a tremendous concert, I had a great time, and y'all should all throw down for the tickets. You will have a good time.

Live in the 305

2005-10-11T12:32:00.000-07:00

Tonight with Common Sense.

Hopefully Com will rock the older shit instead of his weaker Be material.

I saw Ye live with Usher, he puts on a great show.

Any MIA heads say what's up to the white dude in the Oly VIIs and Diplomats shirt. I was contemplating throwing on my "Free Clipse" T (more on that to come later) but I don't think anything will enrage all the fake backpackers who think Be is Com's best album quite like the Eagle with Guns.

Recap coming tomorrow.

I got a file server.

2005-10-10T11:53:00.000-07:00

Check it out

Beyonce feat. Slim Thug - Check On It

Anyway, this thing is the 60 day trial thing.

SO

If any fellow bloggers want to split up the $99/yr fee we can share our 50 GB which is way more than anyone needs. So we can stop fucking with YSI and shit. So leave a comment if you're interested in a dedicated file sharing solution, bitch.

I'm in my house like a boss reclined...

2005-10-05T09:55:00.000-07:00

Go to Lemon-Red and get the new CB mix. Now.

EDIT: Re-Up
Gwen Stefani feat. Slim Thug - Luxurious (remix)

Why is Gwen Stefani a star? Because of the weird pants I think - BECAUSE HER VOICE IS FUCKING ANNOYING. This track would be better (despite the playedness of the sample) if it had like Amerie or someone who could sing on it. She was fucking obnoxious on the new Pharrell song too.

Anyways.

Am I the only one who still listens to Thugga's album? They flipped "Between The Sheets" on this one. By now you'd think whoever made this beat would remember that 324568 songs have used this. Slim was the ONLY one who could come threw on his screwed without being screwed flow, though, his shit is slooooooooowed. He even rhymes "house" and "boss" again. If I was high right now I'm sure I'd like this much better.

How to see what the fuck I'm listening to...

2005-09-28T07:03:00.000-07:00

http://www.last.fm/user/mkustel/

Eghck.

New World I Hope Y'all Listenin...

2005-09-26T20:14:00.000-07:00

Drool.

Clipse feat. Pharrell - New World (snippet)

Clipse feat. Pharrell - At Your Door (snippet)

The news called it crack, I called it diet coke.

The takeover is coming.

DAMN.

Sittin' on Blades Like Kristi Yamaguchi...

2005-09-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

I'm in class right now and about to flip out because I can't listen.

I heard the first three cuts though.

Trust they're fire.

Crack on a stick

And if someone want's to chop this up into individual tracks it'd be hot.

Remix > OG

2005-09-21T21:06:00.000-07:00

Before I delve into an entire post of remixes that take dumps on the OGs later this week, let me give you a sneak preview with some of this shit.

This is an unofficial joint that leaked, here's the full story from OKPlayer

This is NOT the official remix...at least not yet. The guy who produced the track (Big Moz) is a member of the Diversify Fundz production team in Cali. Another team (The Defkidz from Seattle did the vocal production). Diversify Fundz was asked by Geffen to do a remix of "Testify" to be considered for the "Be" re-issue. Their manager and Big Moz ran into Darien at the West Hollywood LB show and asked him to sing the hook and add some other vocals to the remix...which he did (quite well, if you ask me).

As is stands right now, the folks at Geffen are planning to meet with Diviersfy Fundz's manager to discuss how (or if) the remix will be used. No offense to BKyle, but I'm not sure how he could have heard this "a while back" on the tour bus, because this was only recorded about a week and a half ago...and this particular mix is only a few days old.

Common (Sense) feat. Darien Brockington - Testify (remix)

Regardless, this is hotter than the lackadaisacal remix, the beat is filled with an executioners urgent dirge.

Kanye To Tha Live

2005-09-21T20:04:00.000-07:00

I jacked this shit from OKP but CHRIST is it nuts.

It's him with a 17 piece orchestra and John Legend.

Drive Slow is fucking sick.

Kanye West - Live in Abbey Studios

Peep game.

I had one too many drinks...

2005-09-20T11:58:00.000-07:00

Jamie Foxx feat. Kanye West - Extravaganza

I guess this is okay. The beat is pretty underwhelming, and Jamie doesn't have any of the soul he had on Gold Digger or even the Any Given Sunday soundtrack. Kanye gives us a rather entertaining 8 bars, but it's clear they both mailed this in. They were probably in the studio after a grueling Gold Digga session and decided to throw some shit together for a single.

THIS THAT THEODORE SHIT MOTHERFUCKER...

2005-09-15T13:19:00.000-07:00

Pete Rock KILLED this shit.

Ghost ghosted it.

Ghostface Killah - Be Easy

Fishscales will be hot as fuck.

Don't forget to check for the RZA/DOOM cut.

Drops on iTunes on the 20th.

Probably worth your 99 cents.

Put On My Laker Jersey Then I Go Rape White...

2005-09-14T21:55:00.000-07:00

(#8)

I've had this shit for a minute, but I assumed I was late and you all had it. If you didn't, get on it.

Samples Welcome To Jamrock, Cam murders it.

I apologize for not writing much, but I've been damn busy with school and all and have just had time to put up the new mp3s.

Unlike the first version (or the new Cam/Mariah joint), this doesn't have Kay Slay screaming all over it.

Juelz Santana feat. Cam'ron - Murda Murda (CD Quality)

Can I Have It Like That...

2005-09-13T13:47:00.000-07:00

For those of you who didn't like the shitty quality.

Pharrell Williams feat. Gwen Stefani - Can I Have It Like That (CD Quality)

What was the point of having Gwen on this?

Motherfucker we them Star Trak Riders...

All my car doors go up like transformers...

2005-09-10T19:04:00.000-07:00

Pharrell feat. Gwen Stefani - Can I Have It Like That

My name is Skate. Board. P.

Fuck writing about this, just leave comments.

Shit is sort of hot.

If the whole album was like this I'd be a little let down, but for a single it's not too bad.

Dropped 60 grand just to hold up my pants...

2005-09-10T12:25:00.000-07:00

Slim Thug feat. Young Jeezy & Slick Pulla - Diamonds (Mannie Fresh Remix)

Mannie anti-screwed this beat.

Yeah, it's hot.

Fuck writing about this, go listen to it and know Thugga is that dude. Jeezy is that dude. Mannie is that dude.

H.O.V. and Jeeeeeeeeeezy...

2005-09-09T17:00:00.000-07:00

Mariah Carey feat. Jay-Z & Young Jeezy - Shake It Off (remix)

I'm a little housed right now, but this is fire.

Hov killed it.

RE-UP LINK

Fly-y-y-y-y-yyyyyyyyyy

2005-09-03T08:19:00.000-07:00

There has been some SERIOUS heat this weekend. I try not to post on the weekends, but fuck. This and some new Clipse. They fucked with the beat a little bit and it's fresh. Paul's verse on this is sick.

I mean, DAMN.

Three 6 Mafia feat. Slim Thug, Project Pat & Trick Daddy - Stay Fly (remix)

I have nothing else to write, except that this shit is RETARDED. Shouts to 0n the grind for the hookup.

Thugga is on some VINTAGE flow here.

You don't even know how excited I am.

Ratatatat gun clap kill the chatter...

2005-09-02T16:54:00.000-07:00

Clipse feat. Vybz Kartel - Double Down

I guess this shit will be the single to the second mixtape.

It's pretty hot, not Neptunes produced, but still fresh.

Pusha on some bumblaclot flow.

I'm a rider...

2005-09-02T08:43:00.000-07:00

With a rock breakdown and live ending, per request.

N*E*R*D - Provider (video version)

Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nothing To Fuck With...

2005-09-01T08:25:00.000-07:00

Rae performing CREAM live courtesy of catchdubs.

In other news, Ghostface ran his mouth about 50 and Em.

Ghostface was on hot 97 and he said 50 needs to chill out. He goes "yo this ape needs to stop injecting himself with them steroids he's acting up, he better chill out before new york puts his ass on the bench. Later he was asked if its a good move on eminem's part to jump into the beef. Ghostface goes "yo that pilgrim needs to back off he aint got no street cred thats my word"

That might not be news to some of you, but regardless of who would win in a rap battle (Em would take Tony, and I don't like Slim), it's nice to know that if they ever met on the streets, Pretty Tony would whoop the shit out of G-Unit.

Raekwon feat. Ghostface & Busta Rhymes - The Heist

Not as good as the Jaylib cut but hot nonetheless. OB4CL2 is shaping up to be a heater.

And keep your eyes open for some more Jaylib shit. I'll eventually get around to posting the unreleased version of Champion Sound which has some dope cuts that never made it.

So I'ma take care of my business on a smooth tip...

2005-08-29T11:03:00.000-07:00

UGK - One Day
UGK - Choppin' Blades (Chopped & Screwed)
UGK - Good Stuff (Chopped & Screwed)

DJ Screw twisted Good Stuff.

This is some timeless shit right here.

Enjoy your monday.

Hurricaaaaaaaaane...

2005-08-26T11:30:00.000-07:00

The Roots, Common, Mos Def, Dice Raw, Flo Brown & The Jazzyfatnastees - Hurricane

Shit was wild out here. Here's some pics of the carnage and one shot of the convocation center during the storm.

The day off of classes is tight though.

Real MCs can rip over anything...

2005-08-25T12:04:00.000-07:00

Rapper Twista will return Oct. 4 with a new Atlantic album, "The Day After." The 14-track set is led by first single "Girl Tonite" featuring Trey Songz. The cut jumps 36-55 in its fourth week on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and can be sampled on Twista's official Web site.

Although the track list is still taking shape, "The Day After" will also feature guest appearances from Jamie Foxx, the Neptunes' Pharrell Williams and Pitbull. Production was supplied by the Neptunes, Scott Storch, Timbaland, David Banner, Toxic and Cuzo.

source

Even though Twista has been making the same album for the last five years, this looks to be a heater. Twista + Timbo is always dope because he can keep up with those uptempto beats Tim drops when he's coked out.

I'm not even sure Twista is even on this, it doesn't sound like him. I know Skillz is one of the cats, but the other two I'm not sure about. Aaliyah made this hot, but this beat was made for rap. "Got y'all niggas crying like the baby in the background" was necessary. These are also some of the the dopest beat dropouts (Some LA Niggaz is up there) of all time.

Hit me up if you know who's spitting.

Aaliyah feat. Skillz & Twista? - Are You That Somebody (remix)

If you're looking for the new Busta track...

2005-08-25T08:28:00.000-07:00

Peep game

Good looking out.

Hocus Pocus I Hold The Toaster...

2005-08-23T10:19:00.000-07:00

I haven't had shit to hit you all with in a minute. My original plan was to fall back on my catalog of Neptunes shit, but my playlist has been all Dip Set. Nothing is more fun than blasting Killa Cam through the dorms. This cut is Juelz copping some of Cam's flow, and infusing his energy into the Charlemagne 1980s sampling rock beat. I should know what song this samples, but I don't.

Whatever. Shit's off some Byrd Gang mixtape. If you have it already I don't care.

If you don't, download it and consider yourself lucky.

Juelz Santana - Right Now

More marijuana coming soon...

2005-08-21T17:59:00.000-07:00

I've been moving in and all and haven't had time to post.

Listen to The ROC by Cam, Beans & Bleek in my honor.

House around the water remind me of that rock when it's tripling your money and it's boiling in the pot...

2005-08-16T17:04:00.000-07:00

I'm bored around the house today.

Enjoy

Songs Where Pharrell Raps

At least 8 bars (with the exception of Hot Damn because those 4 are SICK), the hook doesn't count. You might have most of these but whatever. These are the seventeen cuts out of the 300some Star Trak cuts I have.

1. Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell - Drop It Like It's Hot
2. Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell & Jay-Z - Drop It Like It's Hot (remix)
3. Clipse feat. Ab-Liva, Pharrell & Roscoe P Coldchain - Hot Damn (remix)
4. Slim Thug feat. Pharrell - Already Platinum
5. Timbaland & Magoo feat. Pharrell & Kelis - Big White Spaceship
6. Skillz feat. Pusha T & Pharrell - V.A. Banger (Hot Remix)
7. Re-Up Gang feat. Pharrell - You'll See
8. Lil' Jon feat. Pharrell & The Ying Yang Twins - Stick That Thang Out
9. Common feat. Pharrell & Erykah Badu - Come Close (J Dilla Remix)
10. Clipse feat. Pharrell - Bodysnatchers
11. Clipse feat. Pharrell - We Get Money
12. Rohff feat. Pharrell - Where's Yours At
13. Ray J feat. Pharrell - Formal Invite
14. Clipse & Pharrell - Got Caught Dealin'
15. Kelis feat. Pusha T & Pharrell - Milkshake (remix)
16. Twista feat. Pharrell - Lavish
17. Kelis feat. Pharrell - Roller Rink

EDIT: There's a grip of these that I forgot. I'll try and have them up for y'all later, I have most of them but for whatever reason failed to notice. Good looks to the heads at okp for calling me on that.

Smokin' your life away...

2005-08-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

Twista feat. Pharrell - Lavish

P is on Twista's flow on this. Shit is sort of hot. He even shouts out Greece. A little longer and we're going to be talking about Pharrell's validity as a rapper, but that's a whole other post in and of itself. This beat is on some smooth shit without being tired. I'm tired as fuck right now but can anyone see the Neptunes production lately? Just in the past couple of months they've flipped the Slim Thug shit, I'm A G, On & On, this track and probably some other shit I'm forgetting.

Now sit and look pretty like you came with the car...

2005-08-15T12:42:00.000-07:00

Dirt McGirt feat. Clipse & Pharrell - Operator (remix)

This joint barely has the 16 from Malice tacked onto the end, but even before they put him on it it was still one of my favorite tracks. ODB had that wild energy going and I love thinking about them in the studio.

P: What are we gonna put on the hook?
ODB: I'ma just yell something crazy.
P: Aight then I'll do my high pitched yell thing
ODB: OPERATOR!

I'm basically falling back on this track because I have no new heat for you. It's old so if you have it, here's a cookie. And if you didn't, you now have some more of VA's finest to add to your collection.

Straight gangster, I got it perfected...

2005-08-15T12:19:00.000-07:00

http://hardlyart.blogspot.com/

Go get the Jeezy/Juelz remix.

Even though I'm still not feeling Young that much, maybe their collabo won't be such a bad thing after all.

If it's half as good as this I'll be all over the bandwagon.