It's about damn time

Guess who has a reality show coming???

Akon puts on a hell of a show...

I must say I was a fan of Akon when he dropped his 2004 debut album, Trouble. But his 2006 release Konvicted seemed to have more of a pop appeal which is not really my taste. But beside my personal preferance of the Senegal Sensation, he has found himself getting into some real life trouble with his performances. The first incident, was where he gave a nasty dance to an underage fan who just happened to be a preachers daughter lol. This is the other incident i'm just hearing about.

More Federal Fuckery

Yes this is supposed to be a music blog, but I'm more concerned with speaking about what needs to be talked about. Earlier this week Major League baseballs all-time leader in home runs, Barry Bonds, was indicted on federal charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. This really made me sick to my stomach when I seen this because it's another case of federal agents doing whatever they want. For years they've been trying to take Barry Bonds down on charges of steroid usage, even though he passed every test he took in his career. Even if he did "juice" up is it ethical for a man to face 30 years in prison over a sport issue? No! The main thing that gets me is the time that has passed since the initial allegation. It's not fair to any person to be under public and private scrutiny without being able to defend themselves, when in reality it's supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. How does the government find the time and money to investigate atheletes and rappers, when there are more important issues going on like wars, nationwide race riots, and disturbing issues like the rape of Megan Williams. This is scary that the judiciary can appear and dissapear at their own pleasure. Celebrity Lynchings -BH

Nigger, yeah I said it...

One of the greatest artists to ever breath, Nasir Jones has decided to drop another album, scheduled for a December 11th release date, the album is titled "Nigger." Many people have spoken out in opposition to the release of this album, names like Oprah, Jesse Jackson, Bill O'Reilly (get out of here), and last but not least the man with the best perm in the world, Al Sharpton. Al Sharpton even went as far as stating, "He's helping out the racists." Now one thing I have learned in life, it's hard to criticize when you don't know about something, you have to study it first. In this case, "it" is Hip-Hop. Every name I said probabably have not heard over a half an hour of Nas in their old bland lives. When it comes to Nas, he is arguably the most introspective, creative, and socially conscious rapper of this era of the genre. Everyone in the Hip-Hop community knows Nas is going to release a body of genius work. Just like when we found out Jay-Z was naming his latest album, "American Gangster," we knew it wasn't going to be a mobsters autobiography, it's a work of art. I heard David Banner say it's funny how they called our ancestors it for centuries, but ounce we start calling each other "niggas" they have a problem with it. We all know that our meaning of "nigga" is different than "nigger." With the support of his label, Def Jam (distributed by Universal) and other big names such as Rev. Joseph "Run" Simmons, Alicia Keys, and LL Cool co-signing his artistic aim, Nas is going to drop something this genre and country really needs.-BH

"Come on Baby" Saigon

This is his first official single, but he's like one of those international players in sports. The ones that play for years overseas then come into the big leagues as seasoned "rookies." Brian Daniel Carenard is a real cat from the street, and he doesn't glorify it even though he's been in and out of the legal system since he was an adolescent. With an array of mixtapes under his belt his much anticipated debut album, "The Greatest Never Told." This album has been continued to suffer from label politics and scrutiny but is now scheduled for an early 08' release date. He has skills...not to mention Just Blaze has his back...-BH

13 years later...come on O.J!

In 1994, the year O.J Simpson's double murder case began, I was a 7 year old Super Nintendo junkie who had just became comfortable with sleeping with the lights off. I still vividly remember coming home from school everyday and seeing my dad on the couch watching the original O.J Simpson trial take place. At the current time my old man was laid off from the unstable, industrial industry that this country has to offer. I would always throw my Power Ranger bookbag to the side and go join my old man for some one on one with the tube. 13 YEARS LATER on November 15, 2007, I came home from school (now college), opened the door only to see my father watching another O.J. Simpson trial and guess what I did...I threw my Jansport bookbag to the side and joined my old man for some one on one with the tube. It was rather interesting, I caught the cross examination of one of the key witnesses against O.J, who happened to be his friend, until the supposed sting occured. O.J knows how to find some good lawyers, this lawyer proved that this key witness was a "pimp" lol. Now that I'm old enough to understand everything, I regret not being able to watch the late great Johnnie Cochran do his thing. Because what he did for O.J. was nothing short of a miracle. My question is, is this recurrance of trouble a set-up to take the Juice man down, or is it karma?-BH CHECK IT OUT ON COURT T.V.

^^The initial hearing

Oh Barbie...

Yesterday I found myself carausing through Wally-Mart, with my homeboy in search of a birthday present for his little brother. As I fought the urge to relapse into action figure enlightenment caused by the 9 inch Venom replica and Sandman, I stumbled across America's favorite blonde, Barbie. As I checked her out, lol, I read the label on the UPC (Universal Product Code), and it simply read, "Barbie." But when I glanced to the right I noticed an "ethnic" Barbie to the right. When I looked at her UPC code, it read "Barbie AA." I doubt the "AA" meant Alcoholics Anonymous, I'm pretty sure it stands for African American. My bone to pick is, who is to say what is normal and what is different. The creators of Barbie have the right to create whatever product they may, BUT it's not fair to the young women of color, because they then begin to question how normal they are (I see this with my two bi-racial nieces). Watch this Paris Hilton inspired Barbie commercial a.k.a ridiculous...-BH

R.I.P Donda West (Tell your loved ones, you love them)

I haven't really been paying attention to entertainment news the past couple of days, but i hop on the internet today and I see that Kanye West's mom, Dr. Donda West, died on Saturday in Los Angelesfrom unknown reasons at the age of 58. First off, prayers go to the West family, secondly this hits close to home in a way. It's rumored that Ms. West passed from complications from cosmetic surgery, and my beautiful Aunt Brenda passed away unexpectedly after a routine, "simple" surgery. With that said, we all know how unexpected death can do us, it can tear you apart, so get as close as you can to those you love because we never know when God is going to call them. Hug your mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends because you we never know. One thing I took from my aunts passing is never be afraid to say I love you, never!-BH

http://www.zshare.net/audio/4868789d3d01ab/
^^This is "Hey Mama" by Kanye, dedicated to his mother off his 2005 sophopmore release Late Registration. (excuse the title, it reads "Celebration," but it's "Hey Mama")

I'm proud of Cassidy...

Cassidy's third album "B.A.R.S. (Barry Adrien Reese Story)" comes out today Novemeber 6th. I say i'm proud of this guy because he went from going to the bing for involuntary manslaughter, getting out only to suffer from a life threatening car crash that left his face scarred and teeth knocked out, back to the rap game. If you aren't familiar with Cass, this fellow right here was in the top 5 rappers who talked about guns the most in his lyrics, now he umm...he talks about god. Nah, I'm just joking, but i do have his third album and i'm semi-impressed, especially with his growth and his lack of pointless gun talk. XXL magazine wrote another horrible review so I'm going to write one within the next couple of days.-BH My favorite joint off the album...http://www.zshare.net/audio/47025484ee2648/

"American Gangster" Review by Basshead

Before I get started let me say this, Jay-Z is cold. By cold I mean a monster in this rap game. Before we knew Jay-Z the business man we knew the slick talking, ex-dope dealing, metaphorical phenom from the Marcy Projects of Brooklyn, New York. On his first cd Reasonable Doubt he introduced us to that world with his Reaganomics inspired, upstate dope boy rap lyrics. On his latest offering American Gangster, he goes in depth and puts you in the shoes of Shawn Corey Carter, and takes you on a soulful walk as the corporate hustler. This album is very creative, it's a focused work of art. (P.S. I can't quote too much off this album, because every Jay-Z verse is a quotable).

1. Intro- He doesn't rap on the intro, a woman narrating gets you ready for this amazing album. She describes "Americas Gangsters," she even puts Democrats and Republicans in the category, forreal. Lol. The cd is unpredictable and the intro sets the tone. Produced by Chris Flames, co-produced by Idris "Driis" Elba

2. Pray- This track is the beginning of the story. He describes some child hood instances. Like encountering street hustlers as a child, seeing his father leave the house for retaliation purposes, you know the typical gangster shit. This is the great "product of my environment" track. Beyonce' adds some vocals on the track. Produced by Diddy, LV & Sean C

3. American Dreamin'- Opens with the beautiful, silky smoothe voice of Marvin Gaye creating a breezy, undescribable feeling. The "American Dream" in this case is getting what he needs and wants. The last four bars of the first verse is crazy, I need the book for the actual lyrics, but the last bar is "Life's a bitch I hope I don't make her a widow." This song is amazing...Produced by Diddy, LV & Sean C, co-produced by Mario Winans

4. Hello Brooklyn 2.0 ft. Lil Wayne-Crank dat Weezy Wee handles the hook with a unique in and out delivery. Jay approaches this track similar to the way the Louis Voiutton Teddy Bear did "Homecoming" on Graduation, simply talking to his city and . He spits, "Hello Brooklyn if we had a daughter/guess what I'd call her? Brooklyn Carter." Wayne does his thing, halfway singing throughout his verse. Produced by Bigg D

5. No Hook- Tambo told me to put a ice grill (translation for non American Gangsters: ice grill=mean face) on before I listen to this track. Comes in withoug a Denzel excerpt from American Gangster the film, saying "don't forget where you come from." This track is just the scrambled thoughts of a hustler. The only repitition in this song is Jay saying after 16 bars, "I don't need a hook for this shit," sound familiar?? "This is not for commercial usage/please don't categorize this as music/please don't compare me to other rappers /compare me to trappers i'm more Frank Lucas than Ludacris/and Luda's my dude i ain't tryna' diss/ like Frank Lucas is cool but i ain't tryna snitch." Produced by Diddy, LV & Sean C

6. Roc Boys (And The Winner Is...)- This is the dope boys celebration. It has a real jazzy feel to it, you can picture a group of dealers putting their drinks in the air and celebrating life. Produced by Diddy, LV & Sean C

7. Sweet- "I'm even better I'm eating better/best thing about it my niggas eating together." This is another real jazzy beat, lots of congas and instruments. Enjoying the good life record. Produced by Diddy, LV & Sean C

8. I Know-Ok, each track on this cd is based upon a scene from the actual movie, but in Jay's narration of his own journey as an AG. So I have to go to get the bootleg out of my brothers room lol. It's a female inspired record though, and The Neptunes showed their ass on it. The Neptunes

9. Party Life- SOULFUL! "This is the kind of shit you roll a tight j (joint)to, sip a lil' wine. Whatever your vice is you know? Whatever you like to do. Get into your comfort zone, get into your comfort zone baby." Produced by Diddy, LV & Sean C

10. Ignorant Shit ft.Beanie Sigel-The cockiness of a hustler, they say whatever the hell they want. Who does he call for assistance, the Broad Street Bully. I'm going to quote Beans on this one, "See if I care if this verse get aired/Even if you mute it the curse is there." Ewww... Jay also gets at ol' Don Imus too. Produced by Just Blaze

11. Say Hello- Like I said, i'm about to watch the bootleg so I can fully understand the album, i'm about to Another soulful sample, but from an unlikely producer. He has words towards Al Sharpton, "Tell him I'll remove the curses if you tell me our schools gonna be perfect/when Jena 6 don't exist that's when I'll stop saying bitch." Produced by DJ Toomp

12. Success featuring Nas-"I used to give a fuck now I give a fuck less/what do I think of success it sucks too much stress." Then this guy says, "I used to give a shit now i don't give a shit more/truth be told I had more fun when I was piss poor/ I'm pissed off...Then Nas, ewwww...this cd is disgusting. The production is organ fueled, like a live rap session at church. The pitfalls of success, we go so far for what...Produced by No I.D., co-produced by Jermaine Dupri

13. Fallin'-The fall of a hustler...Bilal handles the hook. Dramatic outro Produced by Jermaine Dupri, co-produced by No I.D. & ChicagoInfamous

Bonus Tracks*Blue Magic: Produced by The Neptunes*American Gangster: Produced by Just Blaze

Straight up and down, this album is a classic. This album provides a fresh, soulful memorable listening experience from beginning to end. It is the first conceptual record by Jay-Z, but he does it right the first time around. Sticking to the original idea while still testing the boundaries of the content, creating a his own audio memoir of being a hustler. His delivery matches every beat on point. The bulk of production is handled by The Hitmen (Diddy, LV & Sean C, and Mario Winans), Biggie's old production crew. With American Gangster Jay-Z adds another amazing, thought provoking album alongside classics Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint. Best rap album of 07' to date. This cd is way more soulful than Blueprint and is a must have for any Jay fan...CLASSIC/5 STARS