“The DocWumentary…”

Documentaries are very common in this day and age. Good documentaries however, are very hard to come by. Ever since the Wu-Tang Clan‘s rise to national fame in ’94; dozens of video footage that chronicled the group has emerged… some good, some bad. The clip above is a trailer from the upcoming Wu-Tang documentary, and the fact that the group’s own GZA produced it makes it significant from the others. Supposedly set for release in early 2000, some legal setbacks prevented it from seeing the light of day for about a decade.

I’m looking forward to seeing your favorite group’s favorit group from the viewpoint of someone on the inside looking out. Look out for brief narratives from Method Man, the RZA and Ghostface Killah among others. Oh, congratulations to The Chef for finalizing that collaboration with Kanye West and Justin Beiber.

– Oak

(Review) Big Boi – Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty

It’s crazy, because 1994 truly seems like a lifetime ago. The genre of hip-hop was entering a new age; a period of enlightenment so to speak. Up north, the city of New York produced arguably the greatest group and lyricist ever (The Wu-Tang Clan and NaS, respectively..) in the same year. The Westcoast was at the top of the rap game; with Death Row ushering in artists like 2Pac, Snoop and Dre who stand tall in the genre, even to this day. The South however, was still the forgetten region. An area of the United States the held a plethora of talent, but with no vehicle in order to let it’s voice be heard. At the time, the Houston-based Rap-A-Lot imprint was at the forefront of southern hip-hop, but little did the nation know it would be Atlanta that would step into the spotlight for years to come.

Love Is For Suckers And R&B Singers (by J. Tinsley)

Love is some scary, scary sh!t, man.

You wait your entire life to meet someone who complements you in the best way possible. You find that person and Like turns to a Lust that morphs Infatuation, thus spawning Love. That love sometimes leads to marriage and – God-willing – you get to spend the rest of your life with a person you couldn’t imagine living without. Beautiful stuff.

Unfortunately, for a large portion of the country, that fairy tale doesn’t always produce a happy ending. What was once thought to be love was actually a facade forcing a person to question their own self-worth and if the idea of love is even achievable. The worst possible ending in what is life’s biggest risk.

However, it’s the thought of growing old with someone like Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee that makes the concept of love so addictive. Compelling enough to still take that risk, knowing consequences of what can happen if statistics trump fantasy.

Music only helps with this persuasion.

“The Rose That Grew From Concrete…”

June 16, 1971, marked the date that Afeni Shakur gave birth behind bars, as a political prisoner during the turbulent times of the 60s and 70s in the United States. That day would prove to be the day that a modern-day prophet entered the world. Today would mark the 39th birthday of arguably the greatest rapper of all-time, and the undeniable voice of an entire generation. A man whose name will forever be etched in not only music history, but in American history. The things that Tupac Amaru Shakur accomplished in an extremely short period were feats that would take a many men several lifetimes. June 16 should not just be a celebration of the artist, but a celebration of the man himself… the revolutionary, the son, and the friend.

Janet Jackson Stops By “American Idol” (by J. Tinsley)

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Janet, Janet, Janet. I happened to turn to this right when the first half of the Magic/Celtics game ended, so I only caught the last 45 seconds of the performance, but damn. Miss Jackson – and I say this with all due respect – still has it. Of course she still has it musically, she’s the second most talented Jackson. That’s no disrespect because her brother Mike (God bless the dead) is arguably the greatest entertainer that ever walked the face of this planet.

Let’s just say, Janet obviously keeps in shape.

“Eminem’s Recovery…”

I remember the first time I heard Eminem. Though the track (along with the video…) was very animated and driven by hilarious antics, I knew that the emcee behind the visuals was something special. Why else would the Good Dr. sign a white, blonde haired, trailer-parkish lyricist as the face of his newly formed record label, Aftermath. With all the comedic singles set aside, the EPs that Slim Shady used to release were masterful; testaments that the genre of hip-hop transcends that of race… showing that music truly is universal, in every sense of the word.

It’s been over ten years since “My Name Is” hit airwaves, and he’ll probably tell you that it’s been a hell of a ride. Between then and now he’s risen to the top of the music charts, signed an artist whom also rose to the top of the music charts, lost a best friend, and periodically said goodbye to the game that he dedicated his life to. After about 5 years without releasing an official studio album, last year Mr. Mathers dropped Relapse; a relapse, so to speak, back into rap. Anyway, his forthcoming album is entitled Recovery, and below is the blueprint some the album covers (maybe…). Next time I hope to include some leaks.

Young Chris – The Network 2 (Mixtape)

While I was a child, my father taught me many life lessons. Though he was only on this earth for the first nine years of my existence, on of the quotes that always stuck with me was the quote about always seizing the moment. He told me: “Time is something that should never be wasted, because it’s something that one can never get back.” In the music business, artists come and artists go; but it is their drive (as well as their talent, of course..) that will keep them afloat in “the game”, or what we know as hip-hop. It really is amazing that the demise of Roc-A-Fella Records happened almost 6 years ago, leaving an array of talent and potential to fend for themselves.

J. Cole Loves His Mother (by J. Tinsley)

“The mother” in the world of Hip-Hop is pretty much a revered figure. She’s the one who put him/her in line when they deserved it. She’s also the one that would later foster their hustler’s spirit. It’s been heard for years rappers giving praises to the woman who birthed them from Pac, to Kanye, to Jay even Nelly. Love is love and you just can’t fake it between a mother and her son.

“I yearn for that livin’ large, but mama I ain’t done yet/Sit back and watch yo’ son rise/Kick back and know yo’ son set…” – J.Cole “Beautiful Bliss”

Sunday Soothing Session: “What Would You Do?”

I’m well aware today is Tuesday. That doesn’t mean you can’t vibe out during the middle of your work day. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a fan of The Isley Brothers. My mother was a huge fan since the ’70’s and she’d always play music around the house when I was coming up.

One big reason I still continue to appreciate their music is their ability to adapt.

“Does LT still have it?…”

LT doing what he does best... or is it "did" best?

I for one, have been a fan of LaDainian Tomlinson since his days as a Horned Frog at TCU. Hell, he was damn near unstoppable on Gamebreaker and NCAA, but that was about a decade ago. Time has passed, records have been broken, and earlier today the San Diego Chargers released the former face of its franchise. It’s crazy because LT is only two years removed from being the best runner in the NFL, both talent-wise, as well as statistically. Since 2007, his numbers and his health have been on a steady decline, but the question is “Does LT have anything left in the tank?”