Top 5 Artists of 2009

What up peeps?!

Happy New Years! Twenty 10 is here and it's that time to present the 5 emcees/artists that impressed me most in Hip Hop last year! Two thousand and nine was a MONSTER year for hip hop worldwide and picking a top 15 artists, let alone a top 5, would still be extremely difficult. With this in mind I've decided to be biased and pick the artists from Australia and the USA which I was most impressed with in 2009.

At this point I've gotta mention Joe 'Mouse' Budden, who only narrowly missed out on a top 5 spot even though he had a killer 2009 too. He released a solo album as well as a killer debut album with his crew Slaughterhouse, but was pushed out of contention by fellow crew member Royce Da 5'9" this year. Anyway, whether you love the top 5 list or hate it, make sure you hit me with your opinions, comments and own lists!

#5 Hyjak N Torcha

After a 5 year break Sydney boys Hyjak, Torcha & DJ Bizzonez came back to put their stamp on the game again and to grace Oz Hip Hop with their (improved) presence! Their latest album 'Unregrettable' sounds more mature and is a vast improvement on their older works and mixtapes.

Aside from the notable production improvement, their lyrical content is deeper (make sure you check the track "What's wrong with the world") and their tracks somehow seem more organised in their latest album. They also show off their improved flow and delivery on tracks such as "Change".

The boys have also hustled extremely well to collaborate with respected artist MURS on the track "No Regrets" - the highlight of the album in my opinion. A massive step forward for these boys and a vast improvement is why they make my top 5 list and I'm glad to see Oz Hip Hop go in this direction!

My favourite tune from this album as mentioned before was the track "No Regrets" featuring MURS and they made a very interesting video for it.



#4 Wale

Wale released an album!! A proper album. Yessir. This was the deciding factor on him making my top 5 list without a doubt. The emcee from Washington D.C. first got my attention with his remix of Justice's track 'D.A.N.C.E', his love of colourful kicks and ill remixes on his mixtapes (5 to date for those who weren't counting!!).

The year 2009 started off big for Olubowale with the massive mixtape release 'Back to the feature' in April! Produced by a legend in the game, 9th Wonder, this mixtape was on replay for a good fortnight in my car and featured the likes of K'naan, Torae, Joe Budden, Skyzoo, Freeway, Beanie Seagal, Memphis Bleek, Royce Da 5'9, Bun B, Cool, Dre and many more with him.

After touring with Jigga, N.E.R.D & newbie to the game J.Cole, Wale's debut album was finally released in November last year. 'Attention Deficit disorder' was under the executive production guide of Mark Ronson and really lived up to the hype surrounding it. Much like his mixtapes, the album had a lot of guest appearances from big names and producers and his dedication and hard-work really paid off! The album was a success and one of my favourites of the year.

Tracks "Mirrors" with Bun B and "90201" were close runners up, but the track "Shades" feat Chrisette Michele was my favourite of the album.



#3 Hilltop Hoods
With the reputation of being Australia's best and most well-known hip hop group also comes a stigma of being too poppy and being called a sell-out. After the release of "The Hard Road" in 2006 however, many were claiming, that despite the album's success and popularity with the mainstream, that The Hoods had just been riding the popularity wave and that the album perhaps achieved undeserved accolade.

Now fast-forward many performances, festival appearances and 3 years later to the year 2009 - more than a decade after the group's first album release. Many hip hop heads were wondering which direction they would take their next album - more poppy or more hip hop. I thought the former and was very skeptical that I would find any real hip hop depth on the album that I would actually love. But I was wrong - the album delivered for newer fans to the crew and the genre as well as old skool hip hop heads alike.

Of course it wasn't the rawest album all year, but they delivered with a high quality hip hop album that surpassed their last album and impressed many. This and their devoted passion at every performance I have seen them in over the last few years is the reason that they get my vote and my #3 place. Best song on the album is "Classic Example" featuring one of my favourite emcees Pharoahe Monch.




#2 K'NAAN
Born and raised in Mogadishu, Somalia, K'naan was brought up in an environment full of poverty, political turmoil and civil war. When he was 12 years old his mother succeeded in obtaining a refugee visa which gave them safe voyage to the USA. Having moved to Toronto not long after, K'naan practised his English outside of school by listening to hip hop CDs - most notably Nas and Karim.

The social and political consciousness of his poetry and lyrics added to his love of African sounds and acoustic recordings make K'Naan sound like a hybrid of Mos Def and Wyclef Jean - far from an insulting comparison! His album 'Troubador' has strong African sounds resonating through it and the beats always have a very natural, earthy sound. His talent for story-telling comes through in songs like "Take a minute" and "Somalia" and he is not shy to show off his lyricism and word play in songs like "The African Way" nor his delivery on harder tracks like "ABC's")

His socially conscious lyrics delivered soulfully raw over African singing and beats on this album have impressed me no end and is why K'naan gets my #2 spot! My favourite tune from K'naan last year however was the track about his homeland 'Somalia'.



#1 Royce Da 5'9"
Tick tick tick... BOOM! The verbal spit Smith N Wesson from Detroit has come a long way since his debut album in 2002 ("Rock City") from which most can only remember the catchy, Preemo-produced hit "Boom". But 2009 was truly 5'9" 's year with a dope solo album as well as a classic release with his crew "Slaughterhouse".

Fresh off his mixtape's release in 2008 ("Bar Exam 2") Royce kicked off 2009 with the release of his crew's debut and self-titled album
"Slaughterhouse" in August. What better way to bring hip hop back to its rawer and less poppy roots, than by putting 4 of the most respected and renowned lyricists together in a super crew!

So Royce Da 5"9, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz & Crooked I got together and made a classic collabo album! The ablum included big hits such as "The One" (link below), "Salute" with Pharoahe Monch and "Onslaught 2" with Fatman Scoop among other bangers and truly impressed even the fussiest of hip hop heads.

On top of this success Royce 'Nickel Nine' also released a solo album soon after with "Street Hop". And no, not just an album full of filler tracks and one club banger to make a bit of extra cash on the side. No. A real, legit proper dope as fuck solo album called "Street Hop". Executive production by DJ Premier and features from Phonte, Busta & Bun B as well as other Slaughterhouse members make this album one of the best of the year to my mind. Far from using leftover and scrapbook rhymes he had no other use for, Nickel Nine expertly enunciates each clever simile and excerpt of alliteration with dedicated ease.

So two dope albums in 2k9, plus he is already planning a new mixtape release in 2010 called "Bar Exam 3". It's this diligence and dedication to the game as well as being a great poster boy for lyricism that get Nickel Nine the #1 spot for 2009!! My favourite track off 'Street Hop' was the track "Count for Nothing" (below). Check it out!

And now you know!
Peace and Love,
Ingers

2009 In Review.....

G'day homies....

without further ado here is my 2009 wrap-up..

Top 5 Albums of the Year...

5. "Radio" by Exile.

Exile created this masterpiece using only sampled material from free to air radio. Throughout the album he takes the listener on journey through his political stance, spirituality, and love.

No rapping, this album is no joke. Highlights include, "watchout!" "it's coming down", "the sound is god", "love line" and "in love".

4. "Blakroc" by Blakroc ( The Black Keys & Guests)

A kind of "supergroup" from the Black Keys ( an american blues/rock duo from Ohio ) and Dame Dash ( Big Mouth and former CEO of Roc-a-fella ) featuring a swag of dope rappers and singers. The marketing on this was awesome - each week, a video was released on youtube called the blakroc sessions, where it would show you behind the scenes of one of the songs. Black keys would have the music ready, and the rapper would come in, listen, then write their part, then record. It showed a seldom seen side of the recording process and an insight into how talented these rappers are. Highlights are "Hoochie Coo" w/ Mos Def, Jim Jones. "Dollaz & Sense" w/ Pharoahe Monch, RZA. "What you do to me" w/ Billy Danze, Jim Jones, Nikki Wray.

3. "Boy Meets World" by Fashawn.

Fashawn exploded on the scene with this stellar debut album, produced by Exile.

In my opinion the future of West Coast Hip Hop, Fash, collabs with Evidence, Aloe Blacc, Blu, Planet Asia, and narrates his life story thus far with a refreshing flow, honest and insightful lyrics. Highlights include, "life as a shorty", "ecology", "freedom", "stars" and "our way".

Production really lifts this album into something special, and a dope vid for "life as a shorty".

2. "Man on the Moon" by Kid Cudi.

Another debut album, with "man on the moon", Kid Cudi lets listeners inside the mind of Scott Mescudi. An insightful album drawing similarities to Outkast's "Aquemini" and KanYe's "808's". Cudi shows a great musical maturity, and creates his masterpiece through left field production, swirling hooks and sing-songy verses. Highlights include "Solo Dolo", "Soundtrack to my life", "Heart of a lion", "pursuit of happiness" and "hyyerr". The Moon Man has Landed.

1. "The Ecstatic" by Mos Def.

With his 4th solo album, the mighty mos gives us his most polished lp since "black on both sides". The ecstatic is the crowning jewell on Dante Smith's legendary career. Mos Proves that he is still one of the best on the mic, choosing to rap over unconventional beats, with politically fuelled lyrics. Highlights include, "Auditorium" w/Slick Rick, "Priority", "Quiet Dog Bite Hard", "Life in Marvelous Times", "Workers Comp"and "Casa Bey".

I'll drop my top ten for the decade soon.

Peas.

Tbag3000.

♫ ♪ ♪ ♫ Need new tunes?? Check these out... ♫ ♪ ♪ ♫

Good day Sirs and Madams,

What's Liquid Lyrics you say? Very valid question - it feels like so long since I have written reviews that I can hardly remember myself. It's not like a lot hasn't happened either - Jigga released BP 1 000 003, Raekwon dropped an album (and what a BANGER it is), the Hoods dropped arguably one of their best albums (and even got Pharoahe Monch on a track). Now, fresh off the Slaughterhouse album drop, Royce Da 5'9" drops what's looking to be one of my favourite albums of the year - check out the track from that album with Busta below.

In Liquid Lyrics news, we've got 2 new recruits to help write reviews. Both of them are hip hop nerds and make Immortal Technique seem poppier than Lady Gaga. Ok maybe not. But their love and knowledge of the game is immense and I absorb knowledge just from hanging out with dudes. Profiles of them are to come when their reviews hit LL pages.

Finally Bal is back from his adventures overseas - check out the highlights of his trip in the next blog! Mouse is also back from The Philippines where he was donating his time to helping over 3000 disadvantaged kids through the game of basketball! Hit up www.bigbangballers.org for more stories of the boys' time OS fighting youth poverty!!!

Enough small talk. Lets check some tracks.


Royce Da 5'9" feat. Busta Rhymes - 'Dinner Time'


I wish there was/can't wait for a proper video clip to be made for this song. If it's half as good as this track or even the album it will be amazing. Yessir, Royce Da 5'9" aka. Nickel Nine is bizzack and better than I have ever heard him spit! The lyricism has been his forté since day 1 and although his flow has been solid since back then too, somehow he has managed to step it up another notch. Just check how he goes pound for pound with Bussa Buss in this song! Insanity! Not convinced? Well I raise you all in with one certain DJ Premier as executive producer of the album. Just like his most well known track with Preemo, BOOM - I present to you an album with no skippable tracks. The album 'Street Hop' comes out officially October 20, so make sure you get off your stank butt and buy 2 copies at least.


Wale feat. Pharell - 'Inhibitions'


Alternate link: http://www.hiphopmusicdotcom.com/wale-feat-pharrell-inhibitions-let-loose.html

Wale gets a lot of hate, but I'm def looking forward to him dropping this album. 'Inhibitions' is a track off his DEBUT Album called 'Attention: Deficit' which is set to drop November 10 this year. This track is a wicked combination of a Pharell flavoured beat and chorus with a Wale lyrical topping and will surely be a club banger soon. For the most part this cat's delivery is on point and every word and ryhme pair is intricately articulated to the beat. There is a period however around the start of the 2nd verse that really annoys me, where it sounds like he ran out of content and just used filler rhyme.

"Now tell em.....is in the house/ Throw your money in the air and stand in the couch/ Laugh at the money that's stuck in the chandalier/Tell them girls right here that the man right CHYYYYEA"

Hmm..I'd like to think that I'm not hating too hard to expect Wale to come up with better lyrics than that to describe his wealth and partying ways. Call me homey I'll ghostwrite for ya!

Anyways the album is said to have production creds from Mark Ronson, Kanyeezy, Just Blaze and 9th Wonder too. It's also rumoured to feature Lady Gagger, Gucci Mane, Bun B, Dr Dre & Pharell. Not sure I'll go out and buy this one on the day it comes out but definitely worth checking out!!

Horrorshow feat Jane Tyrrell - 'In My Haze'


I saw Horrorshow at Transit Bar a few months ago and was very impressed with their performance. This smooth as butter track is off the album 'Inside Story' and is on a different level to the previous two tracks I hit you with above. The harmony throughout this track is soothing and more chilled out than my freezer - and trust me the louder you turn it up the better. As a rap fan we're used to hearing samples and simple choruses designed to leave jingles in your head...and for this very reason you gotta pay props to the group for creating this raw sound. You also have to respect the spits in this track - very real, personal and delivered with sincerity. I'm gonna cop their CD tomorrow.

Horrorshow are touring Oz at the moment on the 'The Spitshine Tour' with Urthboy (who also has a new album out) and their CD 'Inside Story' dropped early October. Support Skip Hop and get on board. Make sure you check out a concert if you can and enjoy what this talented group has to offer! http://www.myspace.com/horrorshowcrew

And now you know! Peace and Love...
Ingers aka Jesta

Freestyle Friday

Watup watup!

Here's a clip of one of my favourite so called youtube rappers, cyphering over a beat in his car. This was a clip sent in to try to win a competition for the well known rap magazine 'Vibe'. I personally can't believe he didn't win the comp. Anyways check the clip - I chose this one for y'all as Wax has some original similes which are genius plus the charisma in his delivery is really what being a great MC is all about. As Ali G would say, Check it - Restekpah!

Peace!!
Ingers

Wax - Cypher for Vibe Competition

Sunday Sounds - Jams for the week.

Sup peoples?

It's a new week... 7 new days...so I've picked 7 old tunes to balance it all out! Everyone around Oz is pretty much getting summer weather now except for us Can Diegans still. It is officially Spring though so its GOTSTA get warmer soon surely. Until then however I've got some old skool heat to warm your ears up this week.

Word to your mamas and mamas' mamas!
Ingers


Monday: Rakim - When I B on tha Mic

The actual video clip for this song can't be embedded but can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KZbdFyzkds&feature=related

Tuesday: 2up - why do i try so hard?


Wednesday: Jadakiss - Knock yourself out


Thursday: Big Pun & Fat Joe - Twinz


Friday: Bliss N Eso - Party at my place


Saturday: Mase - Another story to tell


Sunday: Fabolous ft Nate Dogg - Can't Deny it

Freestyle Friday

Como ustedes amigos?

Maaan! Everybody's albums seem to be leaking at the moment. Kid Cudi, Jay-Z & Raekwon's albums have all leaked before their respective release dates. Since I think all 3 are dope lyricists though I figured I would post some cyphers from each instead of the tracks that have leaked out of respect for this Freestyle Friday!

I've heard a few of the leaked tracks from each and for the most part enjoyed them - particularly Jigga's "Brooklyn". Hova is apparently not too cut about the leaks (rumour has it that Timbo leaked them anyway) and is stoked with the mostly good reviews he is getting for his tracks. Here is one of Jay-Z's cyphers from back in the day on Big Tig's show 'The Basement'. 'The Blueprint 3' sounds like it will be another dope Jigga album, so go out and buy that isshh when it comes out on 9/11 as they say over thurr.

Jay-Z - The Basement Cypher


Kid Cudi on the other hand is apparently pissed that his tracks got leaked. Rumour has it that Cudi's newly leaked tracks from his soon to be released album (particularly the collabo with MGMT) come with a disclaimer that they are unfinished. This probably has something to do with the masses of bad press he has received for them, with most reviews saying that his really old track with Common and Kanyeezy (the Lady Gaga spin off track 'poke her face') is the best on the album. Not good news at all. Check his cypher out anyway, no denying the kid has flava when he spits bars. If you're a fan remember to cop his up and coming album 'The Man on the Moon: The End of Day' which is due to drop September 15th!

Kid Cudi - Freestyle with 88 bars

Raewkon The Chef! The year was '95 the last time this dude dropped a solo album!! He has kept pushing his album back since 2007 too and I was starting to doubt it even existed! Everybody has been anticipating his album since his last banger 'Only built 4 Cuban Linx" and although everyone knows you can't top a classic debut album, the reviews so far have said that it is as good as his first and def worth the 14 year wait!! Here's a Raekwon and Ghostface free from back in the day after his first album dropped...if you're a fan remember to cop his 2nd solo album 'Only built 4 Cuban Linx II" come September 8th!!
"I pulverise wise guys who drive by..."

Raekwon and Ghostface -Freestyle on air mid 90s

And now you know!
Ingers

Sunday Sounds - Jams for the week.

Comment ca va?!

I can almost smell spring, can't wait for this gloomy weather to be replaced with some fresh, warm and inspiring weather. Hopefully it will be warm enough to crack open some dulce cervezas with some mates outside soon - Friday sessions after work are boss in spring!

Just in case it doesn't heat up though, here are some tunes to bring some heat until those days arrive!

Word to your mamas and mamas' mamas!
Ingers


Monday: The Cool Kids - Delivery Man


Tuesday: Fresh Daily - Get Over


Wednesday: Spit Syndicate - Here Today, Gone Tomorrow


Thursday: Notorious B.I.G. - I got a story to tell


Friday: High & Mighty feat. Mos Def & Skillz - Bboy Document 99


Saturday: DMX - No Love For Me (2pac remix)


Sunday: Ludacris - Blueberry Yum Yum

Freestyle Friday

Chhhyeeea. Let's do a Freestyle Friday!

Like 106 & Park did, I'll be bringing you inspiring and impressive freestyles and cyphers from around the world, from superstars to average joes who kick it with the best of them. For the non hip hop heads reading this, I've provided definitions of freestyles and cyphers. The main similarity between them is the spontaneity when delivered. That is, even if the lyrics are rehearsed (like a cypher) they are typically delivered in an unprepared environment, to a new beat or to a crowd who has not heard them before.

When the LL website drops you'll be able to see the cyphers that we've filmed of local artists to check out and appreciate their skills too. In the meantime and since it's the first week I've linked up my favourite freestyle and cypher from Youtube as examples for you.

And now you know!
Ingers

A freestyle is an improvisational form of rapping, performed with few or no previously composed lyrics, which is said to reflect a direct mapping of the mental state and performing situation of the artist. It is non-scripted, non-rehearsed, uncut, and the rawest form of hip-hop. Artists will often refer to places and objects in their immediate setting. Freestyle rapping forces an individual to think on the spot, describe his or her surroundings, and, to a certain degree, rap uncensored from what is inside. It is similar in this sense to improvisational music or acting and draws comparisons to improvisational jazz in particular.

Freestyle: Mos Def

A cypher is to an emcee the equivalent of what a jam session is to a musician. This is typically a group of emcees exchanging written and or improvised lyrics, often in a circle so that all have the chance to listen and contribute.

Cypher: Papoose, Styles P & Lupe Fiasco

Sunday Sounds - Jams for the week.

As Barney Stinson would say, WHAT UP!?

Firstly - Mouse and I have been pretty busy the last few weeks raising money for a great cause that we're involved with, so apologies for not keeping with the weekly reviews of new jams by overseas and Oz MCs! We are using the game of basketball to try to raise $11, 000 for disadvantaged kids from all over the globe - it's hard work and very fulfilling, so check out the site if you have a few mins mayyyyne! www.bigbangballers.org. I promise there will be reviews coming by Friday this week, so in total there will be 3 weeks worth of new isssssh for you now.

In the meantime, here is the first Sunday Sounds blog. Every week I'll hit you up with 7 songs that I've been feeling of recent, without review or opinion from this potty mouthed hip hop nerd. Those that know me, know that I always have tunes playing all day, every day. I wake up and press play on my CD Player while I get ready for work, listen to music in the car on the way there and all day while I'm working. Then after a day of solid tunes nothing keeps me happier than putting on some more...haha. Every day in my life almost becomes a PLAYLIST I guess. Given that I listen to a lot of wack shit throughout the week too though, I'll just pick the best 7 to last you the whole week. From old skool right through to brand-new jams, hope you enjoy 'em each week!

Word to your mamas and mamas' mamas!
Ingers

Monday: Drapht - "Who Am I?"


Tuesday: Fresh Daily - "Assassination Tango"


Wednesday: Hilltop Hoods ft Pharoah Monch - "Classic Example"


Thursday: Joell Ortiz ft Jadakiss & Saigon - "Hip Hop" (Remix)


Friday: Consequence ft GLC & Really Doe - "Disperse"


Saturday: Mickey Factz ft The Cool Kids - "Rockin N Rollin"


Sunday: Talib Kweli - "The Blast"

♫ ♪ ♪ ♫ Need new tunes?? Check these out... ♫ ♪ ♪ ♫

Good day Sirs and Madams,

LL crew has been pretty busy trying to set up the website recently so not much love has been given to the blog. Mouse and I have also been helping set up Big Bangs (BB) ventures here and overseas. BB is a charity which uses basketball to raise money for disadvantaged kids, as well as encouraging them to study and belong to a team.

Of course there is always time for new music in between work and bball so here are some tracks that have made an impression on me for better or for worse (Ludacris!!). Feel free to let me know if you hate 'em or love 'em, either on Facebook or by leaving comments here. I'm always looking for new tracks to bump to (aren't we all) so if you have other suggestions or hot tips, please send 'em my way - with or without opinions and I'll post em up.


D'Opus and Roshambo - 'Voyage'


Before I get to the new issssh, check this track out from local Canberra boys D'opus and Roshambo, which has been in my head since Monday. Even if you've heard it before, play it again - it's worth it! The vocals are creamy and effortless as always from Roshambeezy and D'opus really made a banger with this big-band, soulful beat and sample. Check the dope clip too and if you love it, support local talent and go buy their album 'The Switch', bitch. Word.


Lil Scrappy feat. Ludacris - 'Addicted to Money'


Are you serious Luda? Only thing that makes this track slightly bearable is the beat! Hip Hop must be dead if you think spitting rhymes (if I can call them that) about this overdone topic is going to help your career or get you some fans back. It doesn't even have a decent chorus and even 50 Cent did this a trillion times better with his almost identical track "I get money".

With gems like: "I'm addicted to money. I'm addicted to clothes/I've been a pimp my whole life so I'm addicted to hoes" don't expect me to buy a Luda album anytime soon. Move Bitch, get out the way - your track is worse than Soulja Boi's - that's all I've gotta say.


Kidz In The Hall - "Flickin"


I was still getting over 'Driving down the block' from last year and now they put this out! This contains a dope as fuck beat beat right off the bat, so do your neck exercises before listening to this tune kids. This Double-O and Naledge banger became my favourite song after 2 listens. Naladge's flow is really chill and reminiscent of an old skool Fabolous, Da-Da-Da-Da-Dammn. Just remember that "Everytime you sleep at night - that's what I be livin like", BOOM!

The album, 'The Brainiac Attack' comes out in the USA on 13/10/2009 and is rumoured to have beats from 9th wonder, Black Milk, Pete Rock and of course from Double-O himself.


Rick Ross feat. Robin Thicke "Lay Back Pt. 2"


Maybach! Here's one for you R&B heads. Watch out for this tune in the clubs soon no doubt. With a big beat and a really catchy Usheresque/R. Kelly style chorus from Robin Thicke, it might just get caught in your head. But there is nothing special about these Rick Ross verses at all unfortunately. He's still rich, your girl still wants him and he makes things happen - you know, like a boss should. Worth a listen, but not worth illegally downloading (not that I ever condone this).


Slaughterhouse feat. Fatman Scoop - 'Onslaught 2'


The super crew of lyrical geniuses Crooked I, Royce Da 5'9, Joell Ortiz and Mr Joe Budden are about to release their album imminently, so get pumped if you like some audial hot sauce. This is one of the tracks on the album which will be officially released August 11. 2009. These dudes are arguably four of the most talented lyricists going round at the moment and it's tough to pick a favourite track from the album. This joint is def up there though and it is four and a half minutes of FIYAH. I think Joell comes hardest on this track with dimes like:

"I aint shabby with them nouns I aint shitty with the verb/
When I reach heaven I want the nigga Biggie to be like WORD/
City slicker New York Delivery when I swerve/
hold that mic like the statue of liberty I deserve/ "

I'm not a fan of Joe Budden but even he rips this track! So if you like your lyrics hot like Melbourne in January you better not sleep on this album.

And now you know! Peace and love...
Ingers aka Jesta.

♫ ♪ ♪ ♫ Need new tunes?? Check these out... ♫ ♪ ♪ ♫

Watup homeboys and homegirls!?

I've made some recent additions to the playlists on my Iphone to chill to while cruising the subways of Berlin. I've added the dopest ones to this blog and briefly commented on them too (since I know you appreciate this middle-class white boy's opinion and all). Let me know if you hate 'em or love 'em, either on FB or leave comments here. I'm always looking for new tracks to bump to (aren't we all) so if you have other suggestions or hot tips, please send em my way - with or without opinions and I'll post em up.

First tracks are Skip Hop, last few are newish US tracks and you can check out the songs from the links provided below:

Skip Hop

Raph Boogie - Boogie Bump


This track is freshhhhhhhhhh as and produced by one of our city's, finest Senor Danielsan. I've been bumping this track all week - the only problem is that it's kind of embarrasing to listen to in public because I keep nodding my head from side to side when listening to it. It's a really fun track with stupid-fly, clowning lyrics which compliment the bouncy, party beat perfectly. His album 'Le Bump' is out already, so go out, do the new dance and support the scene by buying his CD if you're so inclined!


Brad Strut - Believe



This is a really solid track from 'the kid with a bucktooth who used to go screaming out "fuck you" ', aka Brat Strut. I loved this song from the very first play and I was impressed at how tight his verses were. The flow is sick and the wordplay and rhymes are tighter than Scrooge at Christmas, although I wasn't the biggest fan of the chorus the first few plays. It's tough to get personal and emotional on any track called 'Believe' without soundling like R. 'I want to pee on you' Kelly. Yet Strut does this easily and is assisted immensely by the production tip from UK's Beat Butcha on the track and CD. In fact the production of the whole CD deserves a lot respect and it comes across tastier than Maccas after a massive night out. I have to say that I'm really stoked that Aus Hip Hop seems to be heading in this direction.

Check out this track from the now London based Melbournian, which you can find on his new album 'Fallout Shelter', which dropped in May. It comes with a bonus remix CD too with heaps of talented guest productions.


Thorts - Into the Wind


Signed to Obese records, Thorts has a smooth flow and hits the spot lyrically. Although his voice is quite soft and almost unsure of itself it is also chillaxed and matches the Blockhead type of beat, which he raps over. I would like to hear his flow on a different beat however, as I feel this one could hold the track on its own -basically it seems like there is too much noise overall to really appreciate the lyrics. If you like it, it will be worth checking out his album 'Bleeding Heart Muzik' which came out in April.


Bliss N Eso - Sea is Rising


Despite my love and support for the underground scene and this track being shoved down our throats on Music Channels, I love these boys and this track especially - my Ipod battery is always a lot worse off because of it. The lyrics in this song are exemplary and young cats should take note. Semantics, lyrics, flow and delivery are on point. The violins on the beat are hot and DJ Izm really works the ones and twos halfway through the track. This is from the album 'Flying Colours' so check the track and the album if you haven't heard em yet.


New tracks from the US of A.

Skyzoo - The beautiful decay.


Sky holds his own effortlessly on this 9th wonder proddy. Perfect for cruising to on a summer day with the top down. If only I had a sunroof. Or a car. Anyways, I'm really looking forward to his album “The Salvation" to drop in August, which features some amazing production from the likes of Just Blaze, Nottz, Illmind as well as 9th wonder. Siiiiiiiiik cuz!


Twista ft Kanye - Alright


"You put Kanye in here? What the fuck?", I can almost hear anyone reading this say. He spits some serious, non-auto-tune-bullshit fiiyah on the bonus track from Twista's new album ' Category F5'. Twista, anotherChi-town legend is, well...Twista...and holds his own like he always does with his lightning flows. 'Ye raps like he had something to prove and he definitely did! I wasn't feeling his 'future of rap/musik/kanye', with his 808s and heartbreak bullshit at all and I liked old skool Yeezy better. Anyway this track isn't too bad and hopefully not a one off joint with the style he chose. I really hope he does some more tracks like this for his next album.


Havoc - Always Have A Choice


Speak of the devil. Funnily enough this track is also very Kanye-esque!! The beat could've been on College Dropout and Havoc's flow on this even sounds like the best of Mr. West. This is a compliment however and is one of the best tracks I've heard from him in a while. As Havoc nostalgically points out: "I'm doing things I did 95 in a YouTube era". That's definitely a good thing in my opinion - bring it back to the old skool! If you're a Mobb Deep or Havoc fan in general, it's def worth checking out and can be found on his 'From Now On' mixtape and/or his album with the same name which will drop after Xmas this year.


Fabolous - Lullaby


This song has leaked from Fab's up and coming album 'Loso's Way', due for release 28th July. The track has a dope beat but the question remains, is Fab back to his best? I don't think so and I hope this isn't the best track on his album. His punch lines are on point as always, but I'm kind of sick of Faboloso's flow - it's too slow for this mo fo. Seriously I think he should've kept the old name and changed up the flow instead... tried something different! Or maybe he should stick to collabos so it doesn't get boring. And this is me saying this as a huge fan - Fab was def one of the dudes who made me love rap because of his wordplay. Having said that I do like the line "put a dick in ya ear and fuck what you heard". Classic.


Freeway Ft. Young Chris - All the Cities


Yeeeeeeeeea boiiiiiiie. What a mad jazzy track with good spits and flow from Freeway. Young Chris kills it on this track with a flow very reminiscent of Jay-Z back in the pre-Beyonce days. I can't work out why they didn't do tracks like this earlier- the love, talent and practice put into this banger shows and I think it's hot ishhhh. I'm not sure which album this leaked off yet, but I suspect a new Cash Money album - I will definitely update you when I figure it out!!

And now you know! Peace and love...
Ingers aka Jesta.

Graffiti Series pt 3 - Berlin aka Graffiti City

Watup watup party people??!!

Following on from Mouse's awesome graf pics in Can Diego, I had to take some pics of the local grafs here in Berlin. Seriously this IS graffiti city and reminds me so much of New York. Everywhere you look there are tags, stencils and murals in a myriad of sizes.

Carpark Graf in city

The people here take great pride in shaping their identity since the fall of the Berlin wall and I would guess that also involves shaping their urban environment. I love that even my parents, who are in their mid 50s and used to hate 'vandalist' graffiti, can tell me their favourite tags (almost brand names here) and where to find them.

Skeleton stencil in city

I'm so impressed. This art form truly is everywhere and adds immensely to the character of this beautiful, historic and bustling city! I honestly want to come back to Berlin just to try and capture as much of the New York reminiscent art as I can.

Derelict building

These buildings become canvases for local graf artists.

Although the city is supposed to be defined by its bombed out churches, historic skyline and wall and check point remnants (which once split the German Capital), it is surprisingly in fact the graffiti bombing everywhere which actually defines the streetscape and gives Berlin its personality.

Weedy Lot with a few murals

Graf wall in the city, with the famous Alexanderturm in the distance. Built by the Russians after the war it was the tallest building in both Germanies and the pride of the DDR.

This is partly due to the endless supply of derelict buildings, fenced up weedy lots and the attitude of Berliners who seem to really embrace this form of expression - almost to the point where it symbolises their newly found freedom.

One of many buildings in the city centre which have become virtual canvases!

Nike endorsed graf? Or just an obsessed fan?

Joga Bonito - nutmeg!

The graffiti also becomes a very visual in-your-face reminder, an "up yours" so to speak, to the oppression of the former East Berlin, which lasted until the wall fell in 1989.

Building site used to promote a demonstration (left) and big mural in the city (right).

Mural closeup.

I am sure it also helps that the cops are slow to respond to graffiti reports and seemingly unmotivated to get rid of the graffiti (which in all honesty will just reappear as soon as it's taken down anyway).

One of the more famous tags - these bendy arm/hands are everywhere. This is right in the centre of the town near Friedrichstrasse - the final checkpoint to get to West Berlin when the wall was up.

I'm pretty sure I want to move here ASAP. Hope you enjoy the pics - next part of Berlin series coming soon! =)

Much love
Ingers

Metaphors and use of personification in rap

I was bumping the Kanye track “homecoming” on the plane to Frankfurt and spent almost the entire trip wondering who the hell Wendy was and why she was so important to Señor West that made him devote a whole song to her.

“I met this girl when I was three years old
And what I loved most she had so much soul
She said, excuse me little homie, I know you don't know me- but,
My name is Wendy and, I like to blow trees and…”

You can find the rest of the lyrics to this song here.

So I listen again. And again. And then there it is…it was there the whole time. At the end of the song Kanye spits: “If you don't know by now, I'm talkin 'bout Chi-Town”. The whole song is a metaphor for Kanye’s hometown of Chicago, where he moved when he was three years old with his parents from Atlanta. Homecoming is a homage to the city that shaped him. The city where it all began. The city where he started studying art classes at The American Academy of Art but dropped out due to bad grades and too little motivation to instead follow his musical ambitions.

And so, Wendy is really Windy – the personification of ‘the windy city’, Chicago. It is no coincidence either that Common (also from Chicago and an inspiration to Kanye) is in this clip and also has a very similar song. ‘I used to lover H.E.R’ from his 1994 album ‘Resurrection’.



This classic tune is about a girl, who not surprisingly is also a metaphor for something else he cares deeply for– Hip Hop.

“I met this girl, when I was ten years old
And what I loved most she had so much soul
She was old school, when I was just a shorty
Never knew throughout my life she would be there for me”

You can find the rest of the lyrics to this song here.

Common, who had a massive underground following in the late 90s, has always been a hip hop purist and his song ‘I used to love H.E.R’ talks about the evolution of hip hop from something raw and real that he loved into a commercialized and exploited art form.

He describes in the song how hip hop started in New York and was all about cyphers in the park. It was “Original, pure untampered and down”. Hip hop eventually became more popular –it was played in clubs, at parties and eventually in videos, but importantly it still maintained it’s political voice and social morals. Common implies that the West Coast then utilised the genre to promote ‘gangsta rap’ and started making serious money off the sensationalism of their themes. He finishes the song by explaining the state of hip hop in 94 – being popularised and glorified through drugs, money and crime.

“I might've failed to mention that this chick was creative
But once the man got you well he altered her native
Told her if she got an image and a gimmick
that she could make money, and she did it like a dummy
Now I see her in commercials, she's universal
She used to only swing it with the inner-city circle”

So check the clips out if you haven’t seen them before (particularly Kanye fans) as they are pretty interesting tunes and you might pick up on some things you didn’t realise before. And now you know.

Much love
Ingers

Graffiti in the ACT pt 2

As you know pt 1 had a focus on graffiti in the suburb of Kaleen. This next installment takes a look a pieces of graffiti art around the ACT. The following are from unknown artists so if you happen to know who owns these pieces just drop a line or comment about the inspiration. Hope you enjoy!

Unknown Artist

Unknown artist

Unknown artist

Unknown artist

Kingston - Unknown artist

mOuse @ Liquid Lyrics

Graffiti in the ACT pt. 1

Part 1

On the weekend I was walking around my local suburb of Kaleen in Canberra when I stumbled across some super-fresh graffiti art. From that walk I decided to get some images and show some of the local talent in the nations capital.

Over the next couple of weeks I've taken on a secret mission to bring more graffiti art from local artists. I am also in the process of tracking some of these artists down for an interview about why they do what they do but it's taking a while...it's not like they leave contact details after each piece do they??

The following is a whole bunch of works from local graffiti artists both in Kaleen and the rest of Canberra. Hope you like!

Graf piece in Giralang by Unerkd

Kaleen drains by rekon

Drain piece by Baren

Canberra Storm Water by Dviant

Crazy piece by local Kaleen artist

Note: If you are an artist and you see your art up on the website - contact us!!! We would like to talk to you and get some more of your art!

mOus3 @ LL