RIP MC Breed

I just heard the news that Midwest rapper M.C. Breed died today as a result of kidney failure. It’s late, and I was getting ready to hit the bed, but I can’t go to sleep without putting up a quick tribute to the man who rhymed over one-half of one of my favorite hip-hop songs of all time:

That one still makes me want to go out and get money every single time I hear it! Rest in peace to both M.C. Breed and Tupac.

Pour out a little liquor.

Hip Hop Honors Is Leon-Approved

I am sitting home watching the 2008 VH1 Hip Hop Honors award show for the 2nd time in a row right now. That should give you an idea of how much I loved it. The honorees were all acts that I grew up on: Slick Rick, Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Naughty By Nature and Too Short. On top of that, the talent paying tribute was top-notch. Throw in Tracy Morgan for some comic relief, and you have one incredibly entertaining award show. I’m still laughing at the scene on the bus where some man asked Tracy Morgan about the energy crisis, to which he replied “You got this weird look about you…Were you on ‘To Catch A Predator?’”

I don’t know why I always find myself laughing at Tracy Morgan’s irreverent outbursts, but I do…So why ask why? All I know is, I’m tempted to let VH1 slide for recycling the same half-assed reality show stars on programming that follows the same half-assed unoriginal format. I even saw a commercial for a new show starring The Brothers Bitchass and their search for love. Sometimes I feel like this network is running a modern-day minstrel show with some of the coons they give a national spotlight to, but when they focus on Hip-Hop, VH1 usually takes things seriously. For that, I’ll refrain from focusing on the negative.

Besides, as much as folks talk about Flavor Flav and his antics, he looks like he’d be a fun guy to hang out and party with. The only drawback is that I’d have to stop hanging out with Flav if he’s still smoking on that crack rock. It’s a well-known fact that any drug harder than marijuana(or powder cocaine if you’re some kind of high-powered lawyer) is the type of shit that makes the record stop at a party when someone uses it. Upon first sight of any crack rocks or crack paraphanelia, I’m coming up with an exit strategy! “Uh Flav…It’s getting late, and I have to go home. My sister’s bar mitzvah is tomorrow at 9AM. Plus, I gotta drive down to Mexico for it. Sorry cuz…”

But back to the original focus of this entry: Hip Hop Honors was great this year. I recommend watching it whevever VH1 re-airs it.

Stacks Album Review

Earlier this week, I received a CD from a rapper by the name of Stacks, titled “Crazee and Confused.” At first I was like “This is probably just another one of those one-name rappers, like Jibbs or Mims. I don’t know about this right here.” Then, I looked at the guest appearances(Lil’ Wayne, Fat Joe, Trina, Swizz Beats, Wyclef, to name a few) and that’s when I said to myself, “Everybody and their bowlegged mother-in-law has a verse on this album, so Stacks either has some serious connections, or he’s flat-out talented.” As it turns out, it’s a little of both.

Upon first listen, I wasn’t too impressed with the subject matter, because it was nothing groundbreaking. The usual “I got money,” “I’ll f*ck you up if you come between me and my money,” “I have sex with pretty women,” “I get high as giraffe pu**y” rapper spiel. Despite it all, the album is not bad at all. It kind of drags a little at times, but overall it’s it has plenty of songs that I can see being radio hits. Plus, it’s ride-friendly, so you can play it when you’re in the car with your boys, or when you have a lady in the car and neither group is likely to criticize your choice of music.

Here’s is the video for his song, “Flying High.” Let me know what you all think about it.

Oh yeah, they gave me an extra copy…so IT’S CONTEST TIME! Answer this question correctly, and a free copy of Crazee and Confused is yours: Stacks spent his formative years in the DC/MD area, but where is the area that he considers home?

Leave an e-mail address with your answer.

Rock The Bells Rocked

To my readers outside DC, I definitely recommend checking out the Rock The Bells concert when it comes to your city. This was easily the most entertaining and well-organized hip hop show that I have ever been to. I mean, to have this many legendary acts on the bill, and have them all actually show up and perform virtually as scheduled is unheard of. Most rap shows, it seems like it takes 45 minutes to an hour bewteen each performer. That is, if the main act even shows up at all.

I remember the first time I had tickets to a Wu-Tang Clan show back in college. The only members of the group to show up were U-God and Masta Killa. Since people paid good money to see the entire Wu-Tang Clan, and only the two least-talented members arrived, there was understandable anger and backlash. At one point, a couple of folks threw plastic water bottles at U-God.

Luckily, the Rock The Bells lineup was stacked with top-notch talent, from top to bottom. I’m just going to run down the highlights in a bulleted list, since that will both be easier for you all to read, and less stuff for me to type at 2:30A.M.     Read the rest of this entry »

Maybe Nas Was Right

Hip Hop must be dead. I say this because nowadays the rap game bears a closer resemblance to the WWE than to real life. Rappers beefing with other rappers is nothing new. Battles have been around since the formative years of hip-hop culture. It’s just that over the past few years, things have gotten way past out of hand, to the point of being cartoonish.

It’s one thing when rappers go at each other. Nowadays, I’m hearing about rappers and industry chicks beefing with one another. 50 Cent goes on the radio and calls out 106 and Park VJs. Next, some video chick brags about shooting down Bow Wow at the All Star Game. Bow Wow then responds on YouTube, basically saying “I don’t even know you, but did I f*ck your friend.” Game makes an anti-groupie anthem, pissing off just about every Smooth Magazine cover girl from last year. It’s enough to make you think Hulk Hogan and Macho Man Savage are gonna jump out of some corner and start swinging on cats, talking ’bout “OOOOOOH YEEEAAAAAH” and “WHAT’CHA GONNA DO, BROTHER!!!”

What took the cake, was the clip that I listened to on WorldStarHipHop this evening. It was Young Buck on the phone with 50 Cent, trying to get back in his good graces after leaving G-Unit. Buck must have fallen on hard times, because he was pretty much in tears towards the end of the clip.

It’s sad to see a grown man humbled like that, but what’s worse is the fact that it’s even out there for the world to hear. Did he call 50 Cent at the radio station? Or did 50 actually tape the conversation, then put it out there for the world? Either way it’s some punk assed, Lifetime Movie of the Week, corny Jake The Snake vs. Hacksaw Jim Duggan assed bullsh*t.

Rappers: Let’s get back to the music, and away from the theatrics.

Oh yeah, I have to send a shout-out to Vince McMahon, even though he didn’t give me any of his millions last night on Raw.