No need to go over all the controversy and problems Kanye west has gone through in the past year alone. After the death of his mother and his separation with his fiance, he took an album off from his trademark rapping to experiment with auto-tune on 808's and Heartbreaks, which was a snub at the 2010 Grammy Awards. Not to mention the fiasco that got him banned from the Grammy's in the first place, his embarassment of eventual Album Of The Year winner Taylor Swift at th 2009 VMA's. (Coincidence? I think not). People have speculated, they've doubted if Kanye could ever make a comeback from such a long layoff since his last rap album, Graduation.
His goal with 'Power' was to make a song that people couldn't hide from. Anyone who still believe Kanye 'didn't have it' is supposed to listen to 'Power' and realize that their speculation was mere bullsh*t.
Since his Grammy award winning Graduation album, Kanye always talked about making stadium music. Music that would take over its listener, and elevate the performer to a place no one else could reside.
Somewhere on a stage this summer, 'Power', should suffice.
Power (prod. by Kanye West)
Kanye West featuring Dwele
Good Ass Job LP (2010)(G.O.O.D Music/Roc Nation/Def Jam)
As anticipation builds for the release of Thank Me Later in just over 2 weeks, Drake drops two of the most talked about, searched for and snippeted tracks off the album.
They were worth the wait.
Light Up (prod. by 40) Drake featuring Jay-Z Thank Me Later
We debuted the album art a few weeks ago but here's the official track listing for the highly anticipated debut project from Drizzy.
Features from Alicia Keys, Lil' Wayne, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Young Jeezy, The Dream, T.I and Swizz Beatz. Production notables include: Boi-1da, Swizz Beatz, Timbaland and Kanye West.
Shit looks like the 2011 Grammys.
1. Fireworks (Feat. Alicia Keys) (Produced by Noah “40″ Shebib) 2. Karaoke (Produced by Francis & The Lights) 3. The Resistance (Produced by Noah “40″ Shebib) 4. Over (Produced by Boi-1da) 5. Show Me A Good Time (Produced by Kanye West) 6. Up All Night (Feat. Nicki Minaj) (Produced by Boi-1da) 7. Fancy (Feat. TI and Swizz Beatz) (Produced by Swizz Beatz) 8. Shut It Down (Feat. The Dream) (Produced by Noah “40″ Shebib and Omen) 9. Unforgettable (Feat. Young Jeezy) (Produced by Noah “40″ Shebib and Boi-1da) 10. Light Up (Feat. Jay-Z) (Produced by Noah “40″ Shebib and Tone Mason) 11. Miss Me (Feat. Lil Wayne) (Produced by Boi-1da and Noah “40″ Shebib) 12. Cece’s Interlude (Produced by Noah “40″ Shebib) 13. Find Your Love (Produced by Kanye West) 14. Thank Me Now (Produced by Timbaland)
Just over a week since the official release of Fan Of A Fan, Tyga & Chris Brown already have their 3rd music video off the project. Rapper/singer Kevin McCall puts in a nice addition.
Deuces Tyga & Chris Brown featuring Kevin McCall Fan Of A Fan Mixtape (2010) Directed by Colin Tillney
Its hard to tell whether or not this is a real freestyle, considering the dynamic bars that can be heard in the song, and this is a brand new beat from Drake's favorite producer Boi-1da (Best I Ever Had, Over, Miss Me, Forever).
After two smash hit singles (G Shit, Holla At Me) and videos, Tyga and Chris Brown dropped their highly anticipated collaboration mixtape Fan Of A Fan today, at midnight. DOWNLOAD FAN OF A FAN
Its been 5 years since Teairra Mari was even relevant, and barring a couple flashes of brilliance (Diamonds feat. Kanye West in 2009), she's been completely written off. But, a fire first single from her upcoming album At This Point, featuring Gucci Mane and Soulja Boy has Mari back on the map for the first time in half a decade, and this 'freestyle' to Boi-1da's famous instrumental does little to push her off it.
The original version featured T.I, but Diddy throws Rick Ross on the video version and comes up w/ a masterpiece. Swizz Beatz makes an appearance in the video, and so does Dirty Money. Lol.
T.I's verse is masterful.
Hello, Good Morning Dirty Money featuring Rick Ross & T.I Last Train To Paris LP (2010)(Bad Boy/Atlantic)
Rumors of a supergroup containing Diddy, Rick Ross, Fabolous, and Nicki Minaj -- Young Money on steroids -- have been circulating, and Diddy is doing nothing to avoid them. The official remix to the best cut off Dirty Money's Last Train To Paris album just dropped, and 3 of the 4 aforementioned are on it.
Hello, Good Morning Remix Dirty Money featuring Rick Ross & Nicki Minaj Last Train To Paris LP (2010)(Bad Boy/Atlantic)
On his Twitter account (@BowWow), the newest Cash Money member was extremely upset that this song even leaked, claiming that it was his 'dream project', and 'the devil has people working 24/7'.
Sucks for him. Drake's verse is MIA for now. Hopefully it gets added on soon.
Cuff Yo Chick Bow Wow featuring Fabolous & Drake Who Is Shad Moss? LP (2010)(Cash Money/Universal)
After generating enormous buzz while filming her video for 'Put It In A Love Song' with Beyonce, Keys drops a visual for another gem off her latest album The Element Of Freedom first, featuring background vocals from Drake and production from 40 (Successful, Uptown, A Night Off).
Unthinkable (prod. by Kerry Brothers, 40) Alicia Keys Element Of Freedom LP (2009)(Jive)
Last month we dropped this song (produced by Boi-1da) in anticipation that Weezy would add his verse in the near future. Not quite as soon as we expected but, here it is. Once the hooks get added on and mastered this is gonnna be a Thank Me Later gem. Miss Me (prod. by Boi-1da) Drake featuring Lil' Wayne Thank Me Later LP (2010)(Young Money/Universal Motown)
For those of you who've never heard of Reflection Eternal, its simply the duo of Brooklyn legend Talib Kweli and producer Hi-Tek. They hook up w/ Estelle for this dopeness.
After already releasing two videos (Body Ya & I'm Raw) from the leading candidate for mixtape of the year (There Is No Competition 2: The Funeral Service), Fab prepares to drop two more clips.
After 2 high-powered singles and videos from their upcoming mixtape Fan Of A Fan, Tyga & Chris Brown slow it down w/ rapper Kevin McCall and chuck up the deuces.
Deuces Tyga && Chris Brown featuring Kevin McCall Fan Of A Fan Mixtape (2010)
Courtesy of two beats from Dr. Dre and Eminem himself, Stat Quo and the Slim Shady hook up not once, but twice and deliver two audio gems in one day. Earlier this month Stat Quo brought us a laid back track featuring Lauryn Hill herself. Nice to see he's back in the mix. Besides Ja Rule, I don't think anyone's album has been pushed back more than Quo's. Rule's was pushed back from 2007 and still hasn't dropped. Quo's first Statlanta single was featured on NBA Live 2006's soundtrack. Go figure.
Atlanta On Fire (prod. by Eminem) Stat Quo featuring Eminem Statlanta LP (2010)(Shady/Aftermath/Interscope)
This track came out of nowhere. No production credits, no word whether or not it'll be on Thank Me Later and not even a hint as to who's singing the hook. Soon as we find out we'll let you know.
Drake hasn't had much luck with videos. Last two times he had a highly anticipated drop (Over, Best I Ever Had), they failed to generate the buzz the actual singles did.
3rd time's a charm right?
Find Your Love Drake Thank Me Later LP (2010)(Young Money/Universal Motown)
Appearance from Movado. Thank Me Later drops June 15th.
Ont Of My Favorite Tracks From The Element Of Freedom . This Video Isnt New , But I Posted It In Anticipation For The Actual Video That Comes Out Next Week .
Slowly but surely Drake's debut album is becoming reality. 3 singles, two videos (one released, one TBR), and now for the cover art. The default picture for highly anticipated album's covers seems to be some variation of the artist's face (See: Eminem's Relapse, T.I's Paper Trail, Lil' Wayne's Tha Carter III, 50 Cen'ts Before I Self Destruct). A growing trend ... ...
To build suspense I made sure you had to scroll down to see the cover. Forgive me. I gotta have fun too.
As promised, a second collaboration w/ T.I is on Dream's upcoming album Love King and here it is. T.I's been keeping busy since his release, what with his single, video, and 4 guest verses surfacing in just over a month.
In my opinion, this one is better than their first collab, which was titled Fall In Love Again (F.I.L.A).
Makeup Bag The Dream featuring T.I Love King LP (2010)(Radio Killa/Def Jam)
The last 3 times Fat Joe was ready to come out with an album, he always had a hot song to get started (2006's Make It Rain, 2008's I Won't Tell & 2009's One). Unfortunately for him, this hasn't translated to any kind of record sales, considering Jay-Z's first week's numbers are significantly greater than Joe's combined record sales in the past 5 years.
But, not to be discouraged, Joe is back. 4th straight fire debut single. Jeezy tags along for the song, Diddy for the video.
Enjoy.
Slow Down (Ha Ha) Fat Joe featuring Young Jeezy The Dark Side LP (2010)(Terror Squad/E1 Music)
"So What You N*ggas Wanna Death Wish. I Be The Muthaf*cka Uglier Than Precious"
Fresh off a solid mixtape (The Ghost Of Rich Porter) Jones drops a clip for one of the 'tape's hottest tracks, featuring Byrdgang members Mel Matrix and NOE.
Check NOE's bars though, he's not one to be passed over.
While in Atlanta for Jones' basketball team's tournament, Jim Jones and Cam'ron himself spoke with MTV News reps about the rumored Diplomat reunion album expected this summer. Jones says himself "We're going to heat up the summer", and Cam adds "We're working on it".
I'm still getting over the fact that Cam and Jimmy are speaking.
In light of Drake's increasing success, of course comparisons start and seemingly never stop, making it ever so hard for him to succeed. However, even after drawing comparisons to living legends such as Jay-Z and Kanye West, Drake has finally faltered. After two solid but lackluster singles (Over, Shut It Down), Drake has yet to live up to the anticipation that's been building for 3 years now for his to-be-released-in-June debut album Thank Me Later. Everything from a lack of hunger to flat out laziness have been cited as the reason for some of Drake's recent missteps. While he figures it out, I gathered what I believe to be Drake's 5 best verses from his past songs that may remind you why people started calling him the chosen one in the first place. 5. Ransom (w/ Lil Wayne) - Comeback Season
Probably the song that made America aware that little Wheelchair Jimmy could rap. Unbelievable wordplay and punchlines, this is definitely top 5.
4. Stuntin' (w/ Lil' Wayne) - Dedication 3
Although this was on Lil' Wayne's 3rd installment with DJ Drama, it was Drake who decided to lock in and make it almost pointless for Wayne to add his vocals.
"N.E.R.D Flow, I Spazz If I'm Prevoked. I'm About To Change The F*cking Game Pass The Re-mote." 3. Forever (w/ Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Eminem) - More Than A Game Soundtrack
Even though Drake already had a mixtape version of this song with Lil Wayne and Kidd Kidd, he returns with an almost scene-stealing verse that eventually granted him Grammy closing act honors. I say almost scene-stealing because ... well ... wait till verse 4.
"Swimmin' In The Money Come And Find Me, Nemo. If I Was At The Club, You Know I Balled, Chemo".
2. Ignorant Shit (w/ Lil Wayne) - So Far Gone
Now I'm sure you're wondering what the hell two songs are doing coming before Forever. But listen to the punchlines in this Jay-Z remake and you'll see my decision is valid.
"... I See Ya'll. These Cases Don't Work Out I Hope We Can Agree On Makin' Enough Bread To Pay Any Judge Judy Off And The First Thing I'ma Do Is Free Weezy".
Drumroll . . .
1. Say What's Real - So Far Gone
A lot of people I spoke with about this believe 'Fear' or 'The Calm' should top this list. My argument is that I was looking for 1. only one verse per entry 2. lyrical ability, not song vibe. If I were looking for Drake's best songs ever, both 'Fear' and 'The Calm' would probably be on this list, not to mention a couple other So Far Gone and Comeback Season songs (Unstoppable, Uptown, Teach U A Lesson, Closer, Going In For Life). But considering all that was going on with Drake at the time of this release (anticipation of So Far Gone had almost maxxed out, between 4 and 6 major labels were still tossing money at the Toronto native, hoping he signed on the dotted line, one of the label heads (Sylvia), who's mentioned in the song, had just rescinded an initial offer from her label, Universal Motown), Say What's Real is lyrical ability and fervor at its finest. This is a moot point however, considering the fact that via Young Money, Drake ended up signing with Universal Motown anyway. But press play, if you haven't already.
"Life Was So Full, Now The Sh*t's Just Been Lypo'd".
For the record, tracks that seriously almost made it on to this list, or that were already on this list and were substituted at the last minute include Closer, Going In For Life, The Presentation, Teach U A Lesson, Overdose, and All Night Long.
When I met Wale at Sputnik while he was shooting this video, I asked him when he thought It'd be out. "Idk, Rik should be able to get it out pretty quickly".
This was a month and a half ago.
That being said, its finally done, so enjoy it. Its his 4th video from his critcally acclaimed 2009 album Attention Deficit. (Marsha Ambrosius, who has a reputation for being one of the dopest female hook-maestros (Stay - Fabolous, Why You Hate The Game - Game), sings the hook for this track but is not featured in the video.)
The song playing in the intro is 'Beautiful Bliss', Wale's Attention Deficit collaboration with J. Cole and Melanie Fiona. Could this mean a video is coming ... ?
I try to refrain from posting unofficial remixes, especially after Rick Ross butchered this very same instrumental just a day ago. But Consequence does it more than justice. Considering its a Kanye beat, I figure it deserved the time of day.
Find Your Love (Unofficial Remix) Drake featuring Consequence
Sorry for the tardiness, track released yesterday. Shoulda-been-2009-XXL-freshman Drake trades bars with a standout member of the 2010 class. End result is solid. Co-production credits go to Big Sean's mentor himself.
Made (produced by WrightTrax & Kanye West) Big Sean featuring Drake
No need to go over all the controversy and problems Kanye west has gone through in the past year alone. After the death of his mother and his separation with his fiance, he took an album off from his trademark rapping to experiment with auto-tune on 808's and Heartbreaks, which was a snub at the 2010 Grammy Awards. Not to mention the fiasco that got him banned from the Grammy's in the first place, his embarassment of eventual Album Of The Year winner Taylor Swift at th 2009 VMA's. (Coincidence? I think not). People have speculated, they've doubted if Kanye could ever make a comeback from such a long layoff since his last rap album, Graduation.
