R.I.P. Sean P.

Sean Price a.k.a. Sean P. a.k.a. Ruck (March 17, 1972 – August 8, 2015) was more than just a talented MC. He was a proud father, born entertainer, and really funny guy.

When he died, a lot of people who listen to his music but wouldn't work with him (cuz he would outshine them on their own record) started posting "we'll miss you" and "R.I.P blah, blah, blah" on social media. To me that's fake and the man I knew deserved more genuine respect than that. Real love is appreciating a person while they're living and can feel the love... not after they're gone.

I met Sean P. for the first time in 2005 at the "DROP" festival in the Melkweg. He and Buckshot had already rocked the crowd and were chilling backstage. Smif-N-Wesson were up next and I wanted to meet Buck and Ruck before their show started. At the time he was promoting Monkey Barz and I was promoting my first album International Hustler. I had been listening to the whole Boot Camp Clik (Black Moon, Smif-N-Wesson, Heltah Skeltah, and O.G.C.) since the 90's.

As a fan I wanted to know what they thought of my music. There was no CD player backstage to play the album, so I spit some of the songs acapella. They liked the tunes. Sean P. and I exchanged numbers and he said let's work together in the future. After that we stayed in contact. A few years later in 2009, I met up with him and Rock in Rotterdam for a quick interview. Heltah Skeltah were back together and the show was coconutz! Check out the video below.


By that time we had already did the "AhhYoo" remix "Who Dat Be" off the 2010 Grindin Muzik album.  The song was recorded in 2008 when I was going through personal problems and it was reflected in the music. After I sent him the song, before he recorded his verse he called me just to check in. We cracked jokes and talked about the differences between Amsterdam and Rotterdam. He seemed to genuinely care, even though we had only met a few times.


Every time we linked-up, Ruck was a cool cat who loved his family and loved spittin, heavy, barz. He was one of those rare talents who could spit a freestyle or written and you couldn't tell the difference. Below are a few of my favorite Sean P. and Heltah Skeltah videos. If you don't know Sean Price get to know him, cuz his music is what a lot of rappers wish they sounded like. Rest In Power!

Album Reviews

Summer is here, the weather is HOT and the music is even hotter. 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...lets get it in. 

Random Axe - Random Axe **** (4.25)

Is what you get when you put three dope lyricist into one super group. Sean Price, Black Milk, and Guilty Simpson combined their talents and put out a solid first album. All the production was done by Black Milk and although a few of the beats were minimalist style like J-Dilla most of the tracks are banging. Black Milk and Guilty Simpson are from Detroit. Sean Price is a Bucktown, BK veteran and half of the Iconic group Helta Skelta. Combining their sounds and rhyming like their competing against each other make each track a competition of who can spit the dopest verse.   

EDO.G - A Face in the Crowd **** (4.25) 

EDO.G is a Boston legend. one third of the group Special Teamz he's been putting out music since the days of Big Daddy Kane. Although ED is a industry veteran he still rhymes like a hungry new cat spitting fire every verse. Boasting head nodding production and collabos with Made Men, M-1, Bishop Lemont, Special Teamz and a few others. This album is definitely worth listening to if you like hardcore east-coast lyricism.

Tech N9NE - All 6's and 7's **** (4.50)

Tech N9ne is a Kansas City spitter who came to fame as a member of The Regime. Now he has a label Strange Music and a roster of artists from all over the map. This album is more of a group album featuring most of his artists on each track. The album has several standout tracks like Pornographic featuring E-40 but it has to many skits. Regardless the KC MC has consistently put out dope music and this is a fine addition yo his catalog. If you're a Tech Nine fan I definitely recommend going out and buying a copy.

Curren$y - Weekend at Bernies *** (3.50)

The Baton Rouge MC has been building his buzz slow and steady with singles and videos. This album has production reminiscent of 90's west coast music. The flows are tight but most of the songs stick to the same subject matter. Women, weed and money, which is normal in Hip-Hop but it would've been nice to hear Curren$y diversify his subject matter on a few tracks. This is a good album and Curren$y spits some hot bars on a few songs, but overall its one dimensional and leaves listeners waiting for something different. 

Killer Mike - The Pl3dge **** (4.50)

Killer Mike is a Atlanta lyricist with a strong delivery and diverse subject matter. This album is in a word "dope." The production is on point, the flows are tight, and the albums filled with an assortment of content. Killer Mike aka Mike Bigga touches on serious subjects like the presidency, welfare and the plight of black people in these times of war. He does it all with wit and top notch lyricism. Standout tracks Ready Set Go, American Dream and Burn show that Killer Mike is in touch with current issues, and isn't afraid to voice his opinion.

 

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. 

Top Live MC's

I've been feeling kind of nostalgic lately, listening to older music. There is definitely a lack of substance in today's music scene. The new style focuses more on the beat and cadence like the group Travis Porter and less on lyrical content. I don't hate on this cuz it is music and introducing different styles helps the culture grow. With that said, out of the millions of rappers in the industry I only listen to a few.

Below are my Top live MC's for the moment. These catz embody what it means to be a lyricist. No matter what type of beat is playing they spit something witty and lyrically impressive so that you the listener will rewind the track and play it again. This was a tough decision cuz my opinion changes by the milli-second and catz like Kool G. Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Ice-Cube, and Smif-N-Wesson were all favorites.

I based this list of MC's off music released in the last few years, including mixtapes, features and solo projects. Below are songs by Nas, Ludicris, Rakim, Twista, Sean Price and Jadakiss. All talented lyricists who have consistently dropped new material and their rhymes have substance. Take a listen.

Shut Tha F**k Up

Yea, u read that right. It's the title of the new Sean Price clip posted below. One of the many reasons I respect dude is cuz he maintains lyrical excellence. Every track he spits on is fiya, plus he's gained international acclaim without a major record deal. I've been working on that for almost a decade and to see someone from the same background (straight out the projects) achieve what I desire, proves that its possible. Aside from all that he's a funny guy. I've met him numerous times over the years and he's always been down to earth with his fans and always cracked jokes backstage. Check out the new clip.