Asian Hip-Hop

I listen to allot of Hip-Hop. Out of all the different styles and genres of Hip-Hop there have only been a few Asian rappers to get shine. The one artist everyone associates as the spokesman for Asian Hip-Hop is Jin the MC. If you don't know who Jin is then you don't listen to enough Hip-Hop. 

Jin was the first Asian rapper to be signed to the majors in 2002. Not only that he was signed to the mega label Ruff Ryders when it was in its prime. He was on the label with The Lox, DMX, Eve, Mysonne, and the rest of the heavy-hitters.  Jin is a battle tested MC with a lengthy resume from battling artists Serius Jones, Mister Fab, Cassidy and countless others. If you want to know more about him google him or click the link. 

Since Jin's ascension to stardom there have been allot of Asian rapper's appearing on the scene. I posted videos from some talented MC's who are making moves in the industry. Be sure to check out "Skim" she is one of the few female MC's who can sing and spit.

Close Encounters

I've always been someone who looks up at the sky. Back in the day they would call people who did this daydreamers or stargazers. In modern times they call it being observant. There's allot of close encounters going on in the skies above major cities around the globe.

It doesn't matter if you don't believe in U.F.O's and think its all a man made hoax. Or if you're coming from the other end of the spectrum and believe in the Ancient Astronaut theories. Meaning the sightings are of interplanetary origin. Regardless of your stance on the phenomena its happening at an alarming rate.   

Thanks to the popularity and advancements of digital cameras and cell phone technology people are capturing amazing videos of some unidentified flying objects. Its making headlines in international news and other media outlets around the globe. Below I posted a graphic and somewhat disturbing video of recent sightings of  U.F.O's from around the world.

AniManga: Bleach

Bleach is an anime series that started out as a manga by artist Noriaki "Tite" Kubo. I started watching the anime long before I checked out the manga which is unusual for me. Normally I read a few episodes of the manga and see if its worth looking into the anime since most companies change parts of the story of the manga. With Bleach the anime closely followed the manga story minus a couple of filler story arcs that happened when the anime caught up to the comic which is still in publication.

Bleach follows the adventures of a teenager named Ichigo Kurosaki who obtains the powers of a Soul Reaper also known as a Shinigami which literally means "Death God" from another soul reaper who had been injured. Once he acquired the powers he took on the duties of protecting the innocent from corrupted spirits called  Hollows, and guiding lost souls safely to the afterlife. 

The main protagonist is a powerful and manipulative soul reaper named Aizen Sōsuke who betrays the other Soul Reapers and allies himself with the strongest of the Hollows, the Espadas. His main goal was domination over the Soul Society, the Physical world and everything in between. A war between the Soul Society and Aizen raged and at the end only one was left standing.

There's allot of controversy now that the Aizen saga is over because Tite Kubo planned on ending the manga there. But due to the popularity of the comic as well as the anime he continued with a story-line. This has some people in an uproar and others excited on what direction the comic is going to go. Me personally I find the new story arc a little weak but since its just starting I'm giving it a chance. The anime is still dope and if you're not a fan you should check it out! I posted a few clips of the Soul Reapers battling Espada in the final war below.

Mix of Flavor

Spring is in the air! I'm outside more and behind the keyboard less. When indoors I've been working on my own music more than listening to other peoples. So this post is a mix of flavor, which is a blend of new music with established artists and underground cats.

There's Riz a underground MC from Harlem building a buzz for making hot tracks. Killer Mike aka Mike Bigga who has been featured on several Outkast albums. He was also signed to Big Boi's label for awhile before being released and going independent. The beat to Killer Mike's track "Ready Set Go" is straight FIYA! Guilty Simpson has been reppin the D (Detroit) for a minute. He along with Black Milk and Sean Price formed the supergroup Random Axe and have been putting out bangers since. 

Last is underground rhyme spitter Reef the Lost Cauze from Philly. He's a former member of Army of the Pharaohs with Vinne Paz and has been putting out records for years. His buzz as a solo artist gained more momentum when he was featured on the Snowgoons projects. 

Album Reviews

There's some good music coming out in 2011 and the summers not even here yet. I never review music that I don't like, cuz I don't believe in giving bad press. If you're familiar with my previous posts you know how I grade music. If you're unfamiliar here's the scoop. I rate in a five star system 5 being the highest 1 the lowest.  

Wiz Khalifa - Rolling Papers **** (4.50)

Wiz Khalifa’s highly anticipated album Rolling Papers has been released. The Pittsburgh native had a stream of successful hits during 2010 that propelled him to stardom. Rolling Papers is a solid first release. Wiz carries most of the album himself, featuring only three collaborations off the 15 track LP. This was a smart decision cuz it shows Wiz is confident enough that he doesn’t need big names to co-sign him. It also allows listeners to hear more vocal range and lyrical diversity from the artist.

Pharoahe Monch - W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) **** (4.50)

Pharoahe Monch has been recognized as a lyrical giant since the 90’s. He came in the game spitting as half of the rap duo Organized Konfusion with Prince Po. Since then he has released three group projects, two solo albums and has been featured on numerous mixtapes. With his new album W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) Pharoah Monch trades barbs with other lyrical titans like Styles P, Jean Grae, Royce Da 5,9, Immortal Technique, and others. The album has enough heat that it can be played without having to skip through songs looking for the hot track.

 

Lupe Fiasco - Lasers *** (3.75)

Lupe Fiasco’s sophomore album Lasers is a solid politically charged project. The Chi-town native discusses a variety of topics from struggles in the industry "The Show Goes On" to the state of education and health care in the U.S. on "Words I never say" and "State Run Radio". He speaks his mind while balancing the music with pop influenced tracks that have mass appeal. I feel this album shows growth for the artist and is a tribute to his growing fan-base.

 

Joell Ortiz - Free Agent **** (4.25)

Joell Ortiz buzz has been growing steady since the release of his first project The Brick (Bodega Chronicles) in 2007. He spent a short stint on Dr. Dre's Aftermath label before moving on to release the project independently. Joell is 1/4 of Super Group Slaughterhouse who drop their highly anticipated EP entitled, Slaughterhouse in February. The Brooklyn rhyme spitter holds nothing back on the new project Free Agent. He sticks to the formula of spittin hardcore rhymes with witty punchlines over head nodding production.

 

Strong Arm Steady - Arms and Hammers *** (3.75)

Strong Arm Steady (S.A.S) has been climbing out the underground since 2000. The group became known for spitting gang related flows backed by front man Xzibit. He left to continue his solo career in 2006 and the trio of Phil Da Agony, Mitchy Slick, and Krondon have continued working hard to make S.A.S a household name. Over the years they have recorded many mixtapes and have distributed them all over the world.The new project Arms and Hammers is 12 tracks of heat. Standout tracks like "All The Brothers" and "When Darkness Falls" shows the group can spit about more topics than just Gang Bangin.