VIDEO: Redman – Lookin’ Fly
“When I’m on a mission I rock a black leather pea coat, press one button it turn to a speedboat/Hit Miami shore from Puerto Rico, blow perico, son of a beach, yo.”—Redman
Redman gets busy over a fresh Michael Jackson flip—actually, it samples The Jackson’s “This Place Hotel” from their Triumph (1980) album. People mistakenly call it “Heartbreak Hotel” (it is the song’s original title) but unfortunately Elvis Presley’s folks were having none of that. The video, directed by Dan the Man, pays homage to Jackson’s “Rock With You” video.
In a perfect world “Lookin’ Fly” would get as much burn on your allegedly “Hip-Hop” radio station as any new jack rapper. But alas, Funk Doctor Spot isn’t the right age (his debut Whut? Thee Album dropped way back in 1992) and he actually prefers rapping over singing.
Too bad a gang of classic albums (if Muddy Waters or Blackout! (with Method Man) isn’t in your collection, you’re losing) and consistently insane verses don’t count for much (If I had to pick one song that represents Red skills with words, “Pick It Up.” Wait, “Funkorama” too, see below).
Red’s much delayed, seventh album is now called Reggie, dropping on…your guess is as good as mine. [Propers to OnSmash]
“Pick It Up” Muddy Waters (1996)
“Funkorama” Insomnia: The Erick Sermon Compilation (1996)
VIDEO: Method Man + Raekwon + Ghostface – “Our Dreams”
Vodpod videos no longer available.
About time. Meth, Rae & Ghost’s “Our Dreams” video, directed by Rik Cordero. RIP Michael Jackson. [Courtesy of Three/21 Media]
Swift notarizer, Wu-Tang, all up in the high-riser...
Jazzy Jeff x Michael Jackson x UNDRCRWN Mixtape
DJ Jazzy Jeff connects with UNDRCRWN for a mixtape dedication to the King of Pop. There is a commemorative tee for sale, while the mixtape, titled He’s the King, I’m the DJ, is freeness.
Download He’s the King, I’m the DJ. [MediaFire]
Below, a classic from DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper album, “Brand New Funk.” Will Smith is still a better MC, and showman, than most, believe it. [Propers to Kari Cruz]
Vibe Magazine RIP
I was blessed to write for Vibe starting in ’04 (phat thanks to Rondell Conway for giving me a shot) and met and got to work with some great editors (Cell Block, what up!). Coming up it was automatic; cop The Source for my Hip-Hop fix, grab Vibe too for all the other freshness I shouldn’t be missing.
Sad day in the print business, period. Now back to writing…
R.I.P. Vibe Magazine [via Rap Radar]
Vibe Folds [via Gawker]
Another Magazine Death: Vibe Reportedly Closing [via MediaBistro]
Onward. Upward. [via Aliya S. King]
Vibe Magazine to Close Down Immediately [via NY Times]
BREAKING: Vibe Magazine Closes [via Folio]
Losing Our Vibe [via Beats & Rants]
My Final Visit as VIBE Flatlines. [via Media Assassin]
Vibe Magazine, Showcase for Hip-Hop and R&B, Dies at 16 [via NY Times]
Gumsole Beatdowns X Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson 8/29/58 - 6/25/09
The King of Pop is dead. Long live the King of Pop. It was surreal waiting for CNN to confirm what was inevitably certain; Michael Jackson has passed on.
I still clearly remember being a little kid, sitting in a ratty arm chair, reading the lyrics in the gatefold vinyl of my older sis’ copy of Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall.
“Keep on with the force don’t stop/Dont stop ‘til you get enough.”
That’s what he said. Don’t even remember what my totally wrong, kid trying to keep along take on that lyric was.
I was already rocking Hip-Hop colored shades, figuratively, at that point. But, MJ still stayed in my life playlist. More so when the swiped samples Hip-Hop producers were flipping were opening my nose to MJ’s phenomenal discography.
CNN keeps harping on Thriller. Rightly so, 50 millions records sold is frikkin’ preposterous. But, Mike was already pretty damn good without Q [see: Ben] and there’s way more Jackson 5 than those greatest hits.
Picking up a dusty piece Mic Jack wax while digging was standard behavior for the kid. I’m reminded of it every time I look at the chunky Michael Jackson section of my record collection.
So on this sad day let me post some Michael Jackson tunes along with the corresponding Hip-Hop songs that incorporated them. Some blatant, others not so obvious. Better than the original? Hardly.
Q-Tip “Move” – Being signed to Universal Motown is probably the only way Tip cleared this sample.
Jackson 5 “Dancing Machine”
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Nas “It Aint Hard to Tell” – Thank the Extra P for this groove.
Michael Jackson “Human Nature”
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De La Soul “Breakadawn” – With the Daisy Age far in the rear view, De La dropped this MJ assisted gem.
Michael Jackson “I Can’t Help It”
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Kanye West “Good Life” – Yeezy loves swiping him some Michael, see below.
Michael Jackson “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)”
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Jay-Z “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” – Michael was surely thanking Mr. West for that publishing check, we hope.
Jackson 5 “I Want You Back”
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Naughty by Nature “O.P.P.” – Blatant sample but Kay Gee got there first (probably).
Jackson 5 “ABC”
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Puff Daddy f/ The Lox, Lil Kim & The Notorious B.I.G. “All About the Benjamins” – Definitely an ultimate break and beat.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Jackson 5 “It’s Great to Be Here”
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Gumsole Beatdowns #2: Kool & The Gang X Spinna & Premier
Hip-Hop Loved to Jack Jackson [via Urban Daily]
The Jackson 5 & Michael Jackson: An Audio Evolution [via Grouchy/AllHipHop]
Slang Rap Democracy 