Best Songs of 09 & Top 5 Albums of 09

20.Crawl-Chris Brown
19.Simple As...-Kid Cudi
18.Be By Myself-Asher Roth
17.Hot Revolver-Lil Wayne
16.Pretty Girls-Wale
15.Every Girl-Young Money
14.Sexy Chick-Dave Guetta ft Akon
13.Knocks You Down-Keri Hilson ft. Kanye & Ne-Yo
12.Ice Cream Paint Job-Dorrough
11.Poke Her Face-Kid Cudi ft. Kanye & Common
10.Forever-Drake, Kanye, Lil' Wayne, & Eminem
9. Crack A Bottle-Eminem ft Dr. Dre and 50 Cent
8. So Hood-Rihanna ft. Young Jeezy
7.Run This Town-Jay-Z Ft. Rihanna and Kanye
6.You're A Jerk-New Boys
5.DOA-Jay-Z
4.Down-Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne
3.Best I Ever Had-Drake
2.I Got A Feeling-Black Eye Peas
1.Empire State of Mind- Jay-Z

Albums of 2009

5.Asher Roth-Asleep in the Bread Aisle
4.Lady Gaga-Fame Monster
3.Wale-Attention Deficit
2.Kid Cudi-Man on the Moon: End of Day
1.Jay-Z-Blueprint 3

Mixtape of the Year:
Drake-So Far Gone

The Year in a Whole

SO this year has finally come to an end. 2009 was a crazy year in my personal life and in the world period. I mean in this year alone we had: a plane land in the Hudson River(and no one died), a Black man became president, Millions of people lost their jobs, we lost the King of Pop, Patrick Swayze, Farrah Fawcett, Walter Cronkite, Steve McNair, Bea Arthur, DJ AM, Britney Murphy, and numerous others. 2009 closes a decade of craziness I'm sure will be reflected on fondly. Anyway I'm posting my picks for albums of the decade, Songs of the year, and celebs of the decade. So read reflect and lets change the world in the Twentyteens....Goodbye Aughts

Black Republican

I'm conservative in many areas of my life. I'm christian, not for abortion, believe in the second ammendment and all that stuff. But I believe in being conservative only in your personal life. I dont think my beliefs based on my personal experience and my faith should be dictated on everyone in this country. And more personally I dont know why some people seem to be republican only if they got money. And my biggest problem with the Republicans are yes Black Republicans. Now i have nothing against those who are conservative in nature. And I actually respect Michael Steele but he is one of the few. My thing about black republicans not black conservatives is they mostly seem to be people who were born poor and got into a good school left their old neighborhood and since that seem to believe they made it by themselves and everyone else can. First of all, that is the dumbest clique in the world-You can be whatever you want in America. Bullshit...why are people homeless, why do some schools have no textbooks and leaky ceilings, why do people keep losing jobs but college tuitons keep going up, why doesnt everyone have healthcare(but those are another story). But my other problem with black republicans is their need to go against black people on every issue. It seems to me that black republicans have such a need to be accepted by white republicans that they forget where they came from and their common sense. I dont understand how black people could say that Obama is a terrorist or wasnt born in this country or he is a thug. How can you say that when you know the historical implications of those stereotypes.Now if you disagree with obama about spending and things like that I can understand. But to resort to ignorant generalizations to be on tv and to be different only hurts black people. And the main reason I dont like Black Republicans is the need for them to dismiss racism all the time even when there are valid examples. But thats why I dont hate Michael Steele. Yeah he seems to dance and act like a chicken for some of the republican staples(Limbaugh, Beck, Hannity, and rest of the gang at Fox News). But every now and then MIchael Steele slips up and says some real shit. Last week, in an interview on TV One( a black owned channel, what BET would be like if it was run by black people....yeah I said it) Roland Martin stated, "White Republicans have seem scared of black folks" and Steele responded, "You're absolutely right.I've been in the room, and they're scared of me," Steele said. "I'm like, 'I'm on your side." Now I'm sure he is gonna back away from that but that allowed me to see something. Black republicans cant really believe this shit. Michael Steele doesnt think racism doesnt exist or shit like that he just thinks he has to do that to be accepted. Its like when Booker T Washington said that blacks dont need political power or civil rights but they needed trade schools and jobs first. Washington and Steele are just playing the game the way they think it will help them the most. But they also dont see the effects of them doing that. For some reason people think that one person represents an entire group of people. So when they heard Washington say that blacks didnt need the rights guarenteed to all citizens in the constituiton people thought that he spoke for all black people. And when people hear black people say that the only thing that makes a kid growing up in the hood not suceed is themselves people believe it. They accept it as fact. And black people are more than just what the media portrays us as. We are not all drug dealers, pimps, rappers, janitors, athletes, ignorant, lazy, stupid, good dancers, and all the other things we get labeled as. more later lol

Album Review: Attention Deficit Wale

Okay this is the album I have been looking forward to for almost 2 yrs. And Wale finally delivered and I really like it. Wale adds another great album to the list of great debuts this year. This year has been all about the newcomers to game and most of them haven't let ne down. Wale however is someone I think will not be a commercially successful rapper but a critical success(kinda of a Lupe Fiasco). Wale's album is completely different from anything out there(another trend this year). Wale is the most poetically deep of the up and comers. And he shows that in Attention:Deficit. The album has solid tracks including: Mirror Mirror, Pretty Girls, 90210, Shades, and Beautiful Bliss. The one thing I dont like about the album is it seems short and has too many features. Some of the features take away from Wale's appeal of the lone rapper. I wish Wale had taken the Nas approach and not had any features forreal(even though Bun B kills on Mirror Mirror and Gucci even does good on Pretty Girls). But through it all Attention Deficit is something you need on or iPod and guarentees that the next generation of hip-hop is here to stay. And thank god because Gucci, Boosie, and Lil Wayne all goin to jail next year which clears room for new talent lol

October Hiatus is over...we back

We back I had to take a lil break(i need some workers, for real) but Im back to go hard for my birth month. Its been a couple of things going down since I been out so here is a recap...

1. Lil Wayne plead guilty to a felony and released a mixtape in October. Also he has set a release date for his rock album "rebirth" slated for Dec. 18(we will see about that)
2. Lil Boosie is sentenced to 2-4 years in prison....both Hip-Hop and Webbie should feel good about at least 2 years w/o boosie lol
3. Both Chris Brown and Rihanna have set their albums to be released in December...also they have been doing a whole bunch of interviews were little is heard about their new music. And forgive me but Rihanna playing the victim too much to me. And I do plan on BUYING Breezy's album just to support someone who I think is talented and deserves a second chance...
4. In sports, Yankees won the world series...I dont really like the Yankees but it was cool seeing Jay-Z with them holding up the Dynasty sign. Also, the NBA season started: Now I'm A Chicago and Cleveland fan(along with Memphis) but I can see anyone besides the Lakers and Celtics in the Finals.
5. And last but not least I wanna give my condolences to the families of those lost in the recent shootings around the country(not limited to the Ft. Hood shooting). May they rest in peace

* The picture above is of me and my nephew listening to WALE....I love Hip-Hop lol

Music playing on my iPod

Lately I've been listening to several things. In hip-hop, of course I've been rocking Cudi, Jay-Z, a Raekwon but I've also been getting into UNI, Pac Div, and the Cool Kids(I been on them but I just started back heavy listening to them). UNI and Pac Div make the hip-hop I remember as a kid. Its like Fresh Prince meets Tribe Called Quest. I have been listening to alot of alternative rock/pop. Of that genre I'm really getting into the bands MGMT and Vampire Weekend. MGMT is unlike anything I've ever really liked before. They've got a downtown electric sound to them that has influenced rap as of late(Kid Cudi's album, Jay-Z's album, and Drake's So Far Gone all have a lil MGMT DNA in them lol). As far as Vampire Weekend goes they have a laid back feel and I've been listening to the for a while. And as far as the throwback music I've had in rotation: Debarge, Blackstreet, Prince, The Beatles, and Weezer have been getting a lot of play on my Ipod as of late. So here is a playlist of songs you should have:

1. Forever-Drake ft. Kanye, Wayne, Eminem
2. Think Good Thoughts-Drake ft Phontae
3. Soundtrack to My Life-Kid Cudi
4. Up, Up, and Away-Kid Cudi
5. Thank You-Jay-Z
6. A Star is Born-Jay-Z ft. J.Cole
7. Beautiful Day-U-N-I
8. My Life-U-N-I
9. Electric Feel-MGMT
10. Oxford Comma-Vampire Weekend
11.A-Punk-Vampire Weekend
12. Passin Me By-Pac Div
13. Driving Down the Block(remix)-Kids in the Hall
14. Juicy-Emily Wells
15. No Diggity-Blackstreet
16. Come Together-The Beatles
17. While My Guitar Gently Weeps-The Beatles
18. I am the Walrus-The Beatles

The World Is Yours

We are living at an interesting time. We have war, calls for anarchy, liars, hypocrites, pimps, preachers, and politicians. We also stand at a moment were it is one thing our generation has the chance to stand for....truth. Now by truth I dont mean what ur moms, pops, pastor, teacher, friend, or politician says is truth but what is actual truth. Truth is something we find only after learning all sides of what different people call the truth. For too long in this country we have let people tell us what is truth. But in an age where on your phone you can google anything we must look past the old ways of determining facts. In my History as a Discipline class we learned about the 4 processes to learning the truth as far as history. The first is what you think you know, the things people have been telling you your whole life and what you have come to decide is fact. The next part is learning the actual truth according to statistics, testimonies, and different opinions. The third is the realization of everything you were taught about history and the world is just someone's opinion and you are stuck in confusion. The final stage is when you learn that history and fact is only what people make it. To get to that forth stage you have to realize that people want you to think a certain way to control you. And you also must decide that when you hear the truth you have to options-choose to accept it and try and learn more or go back in the cave and believe the lie. Its like in the Matrix when Neo has to decide if he will choose the red or blue pill-reality or the false reality he believed in his life. And for too many people they choose to ignore the facts and be a drone. But can we change anything as drones? Of course not by choosing lies we choose continuity instead of change. And without change we are left with the same problems that always exist. We havent chose fact in our politics we chose simplicity. When we find out or schools are failing and the children arent ready for life, what do we do? We say, hey, lets make school easier and maybe people wont fail as much. But thats not the answer how about parents step up and get involved with their children and give teachers more money to get the best possible. But parents dont want their children to learn, they want them to make As. We dont want our children to change the world, we want them to be part of the normal working class that hates their meaningless jobs and do it just for a paycheck. But it doesnt have to be that way, because at the end of the day-The World is Yours. You can choose to be that drone, that pawn. Or you can choose truth and stand up for truth and tell the establishment to fuck off, we are tired of living the lies you want us to live. We can change most of the problems in this world by doing something about it. Want better education-work with kids and make sure parents do their jobs, we want more control over the truth-demand it. We are not talking about protest we are talking about revolution and the revolution starts with knowledge. Dont stand by old excuses demand answers to the questions we all want to know. Why do schools fail so many? Why are we in a war that is killing more of our people than our enemies? Why do people in America die of hunger and are denied rights? Why do we want to talk about celebrities more than race, health care, and overall truth? We can get these answers, but you have to choose to come out the cave and swallow the pill. We have to decide complacency is not want we want we want change. We want the truth. And then and only then will we be free from mental shackles. And then-The World is Yours....holla

Why America is scared of everything....

Why are Americans' scared to talk about race? It could be we are afraid to open up the sins of our forefathers(yes some of my ancestors owned slaves). It could be that we think that racism doesnt exist unless black people are sprayed down with hoses, only allowed to go to certain restrooms and drink from certain fountains, or are not denied constitutional rights. Or maybe the answer lies in the fact that none of us want to recognize our natural prejudices. I think its a combination of all of those things. People often make the mistake of thinking racism is only about the overtly racist things in the past. Racism isnt about that, its about not thinking that someone is like you just because of their skin color. And we also make the mistake in thinking that racism is only about black and white people instead of everyone from Native Americans, Mexicans, Italians, the Irish, and any other race in the world. But I feel like everyone is so scared to talk about race because its such a confusing topic and it makes people feel guilty. But we only add to that by refusing to recognize it or by painting anything directed to someone of another race as racist. Like I said earlier, I dont think Joe Wilson was racist is saying "You Lie". I do think it was dumb but that shit happens everyday. But there are things directed at the President that are racist. Comparing him to a monkey, a witchdoctor, or anything else is racist. And I think by saying that racism doesnt exist is horrible. I've experienced things in my life that had to do with race. They include experiences with black people and white people. Black people and white people in the past have treated me different because of how dark my skin was. Yes I get racially profiled by police more than alot of white ppl, but I also get profiled more than alot of lighter skinned black people. Racism exist in every culture of the world and the only way to change that is to quit throwing words and start listening to one another. And its not just race we are scared to talk about. We are scared to about education, sexism, politics, and anything else important. But we will talk about what Kanye West says at the VMAs, how Michael Vick is a criminal, how Brittney Spears is crazy, how Michael Jackson was weird, how Madonna was a whore, and how Whitney Houston was a drug addict. You know why....because America is scared of anything. We are scared to live in reality so we make celebrities gods. And we drive them crazier than they were before they became celebrities. Yeah Michael Jackson was weird but we made him seem so crazy that his own friends avoided him and let him die alone. We drove Whitney and Brittney to do mass amounts of drugs and craziness. Why? Because we dont want to live in our lives so we pressure other normal people to be superior. So the cycle continues. When will we learn to quit being afraid of shit and listen to each other. Maybe never but at least for me I will change the world around me. And if everyone started changing the way they act and how they listen and argue maybe the world wouldnt seem so different in someone else's skin. I put the picture of slave shackles above because we are SLAVES. One of my teacher's (Dr. Greene) talked about how there cannot be a slave without a master. So we are the slaves to the norm or what we feel is normal and the masters are the people who control what we think is normal. But thats another discussion isnt it? Think about it.....

Why I think part of the backlash against Obama has to do with race.

The picture above could be left without caption and it would just prove what I am about to say. This picture was held by protestors at the National Tea Party, Saturday. People have been saying they dont agree with Obama. I can understand that at certain points but when people say that some of the backlash is not about race, that is a lie. If that was true alot of things wouldnt happen. People wouldnt have called him a muslim, sent in more death threats than any president, circulated fake food stamps with Obama's picture on it (along with a bucket of chicken, some watermelon, and the kool aid man), people wouldnt question was he born in America, and all the other things that have happened that step out the bounds of a genuine debate about policy. Now alot has happened over the last few weeks. First Congressman Wilson said that dumbass comment calling the president a lie. Do I think that was about race? Actually no but it was stupid as hell considering the thing he said Obama lied about was clearly written in the healthcare(no healthcare provided for illegal immigrants). But I do think that things are out of control. The reason I feel this bullshit is partially racist is that when people are speaking out against Obama it is not about why healthcare should be changed, why we are building debt, or any reasonable argument it is about Obama is not one of us, a real American. And because I am studying history in school the only times people have asked that question in the past is about foreigners and minorities. So if its not about race what is it. And dont say that Socialist or Fascist bullshit FOX and all the other fringe people of America say. All that is, is a distraction. From changing America. When will people realize the things that make us similar are greater than the things that divides us. And when will people realize people have invested intrest in dividing us. Healthcare reform is not about the government taking over. The public option is about taking the power of life and death from insurance companies. Its only a few insurance companies in america-Blue Cross and State Farm being largest. And they have so much power because of little competion that have established a monopoly on insurance. So why is it that people say they dont want a public option? Because the insurance companies are paying them to say that. In a recent poll, most doctors support a public option because they actually will get paid more if insurance companies dont have as much power. Life and Death in america is decided by insurance companies and they dont make their decisions based on anything besides money. But to get back to my original point I think we are stirring a pot of hate that can only lead to tragedy. Hate groups numbers are up along with death threats to politicans so how can we say race has nothing to with this debate. The picture above isnt about anything other than race. It shows the first african american president as an african witch doctor. How is that not about race? This conversation is not over so stay updated...

Album Review: Man on the Moon: End of Day

I have listened to every type of music. On the 10,000+ songs on my laptop & iPod i have hip-hop,R&B, blues, Alt. Rock, Punk Rock,Classic Rock, Country, Bluegrass, Jazz, and anything else. But Kid Cudi's MOTM is by far the most unique hip-hop album I've ever heard. This CD is amazing. The set up of the album is really interesting in how he made the cd tell the story of dreaming rim cycles. The album is pretty dark to be honest and since I'm usually blue I can relate to mostly every lyric on here. He has some really deep intimate lyrics on this CD. In songs like "Sountrack to my Life", "Sky Might Fall", and "Solo Dolo" he explains his pain and how he wrestles with demons alot. Even his biggest song, "Day N' Nite" is about trying to find solitude in marijuana in the midst of death and change surrounding him. So with that in mind I wasnt that suprised to hear the level of heaviness. The only hip-hop album I can compare this to is 808 (which he wrote like half of). And since I loved 808 I also really like this CD. If I made an abum right now with a huge budget it would sound like MOTM. So in the end I think this CD is a game changer and a great debut album for probably the most diverse rapper since Lupe. And also this CD shows how this new class of hip-hop is the best in a long long time.

Album Review: Blueprint 3

This week, BP3 dropped officially. By now I'm sure you have heard at least a couple of tracks not already released as singles. So I have decided to give you my point of view. First, let me say that this is the album of the year hands down. And also this might be Jay-Z's best album since Black Album. Now I love both American Gangster and Kingdom Come and both brought him fans that would have never listened to him. But this album is a Jay-Z album. What I mean is American Gangster was a concept album and told the story of a hustler, Kingdom Come told the story of a grown ass man, and BP3 reminds you why Jay-Z is hands down the best rapper alive and probably the greatest MC to ever live(scandalous). When the Black Album dropped it showed people who had doubted for so long that he was and is the best alive. Black Album is one of the top 10 albums of this decade for sure and one of the greatest rap albums ever. BP3 shows you once again that all that bullshit about Lil' Wayne being the best rapper alive is bullshit. Now if Lil' Wayne would sit his as down as make an album and not a collection of singles he might have a lil more consideration in my book. But as for now Jay-Z is it no debates. And w/ this album he proves it. I mean the first single of his album was D.O.A. which killed every rapper using it and might have killed auto-tune period. And this album has many songs that remind you the best rapper alive is 6'2" has no tattoos and is from Brooklyn. My favorite tracks personally are: Thank You, Empire State of Mind, As Real As It Gets, On to the Next One, and a Star is Born. That is alot. And with the singles added that is fucking amazing. This is off one disc. So yes BP3 is a classic and Jay-Z just dropped the first pure Rap Classic in almost 2 years. So please support good music buy it....HOLLA

The importance of mythology in Hip-Hop

The fact that the multi-millionaire(near billionaire) above started life as a kid who lived in poverty and turned to drug dealing is amazing. That is to me the most amazing thing about hip-hop and in all America. And it also speaks to the mythology of the American Dream. The most important thing about an artist is image and backstory. And Jay-Z image is near mythological. Look at Reasonable Doubt. It is as much about living in hell and wanting to get out. Yes he talks about drugs but it is from the positions of the evil and pain involved in it. One of my favorite Jay-Z lines is from Fallin'(American Gangster) in which he says "I guess its 2 sides to what substance abuse is". Also, many times people try and make Jay-Z seem out of touch or "not hood enough" which is absurd. Just how the Wu-Tang Clan got there style and swag from watching Kung-Fu movies on Saturdays, television and movies helped develop Jay-Z. Gangster movies are the most popular movies especially to men. Scarface, The Godfather, Goodfellas, Carlito's Way, and ever other crime drama has molded American Pop Culture. And it has definately molded hip-hop. Remember, Biggie called himself "Frank White" who is a character in the movie "King of New York". Also, Jay-Z first album featured him on the cover wearing a fedora and scarf looking like he was Frank Lucas himself. And to say a dude from Bed-Stuy is not hood is ridiculous, he is from the streets but became a man and dresses and acts like it. Why would he talk about tee-shirts, js, and chains when he can afford Gucci suits, louie sneakers, and Rolexs? And the thing I like about Jay, is he isnt satisfied. He is already rich, he is trying to be wealthy. Wealth means if Jay and B ever have kids, and then grandkids them muthaf- will still be rich. Black people always wanna get rich to flaunt that shit and we never want to leave things for our kids and its cool a dude is trying to change that. So hate him if u want but Jay-Z is the American Dream....

Dos and Do Nots of College: Fashion Wise

Well, School has started here and at alot of places around the country. And in the two days of it I've seen alot of ridicoulus clothing. I havent seen this many people dressed in wack ass clothes since ugly day in high school. So as a service to the children here are examples of what not to do in school.



1. Never ever wear fake brands....Look I know the prices for things you might like may be expensive but never ever buy fake stuff. For the money you waste on fake stuff you could save on discounted real things. The most common fake product are Jordans. I have seen alot of Jordan 13 fusions lately, the problem with that is there are NO JORDAN 13s out or coming out for months. I hate fake shoes probably because people try to play them of as exclusives like Chuck Inglish says,"I see you with them lime green 3, except they never made them, they some lime green fakes"....lesson dont wear fakes



2. Always Match...I dont know what it is that makes people not match. Didnt your mom's tell you what colors match. Don't pull some totally different bright colors out your ass and think you're are styling because you're not. You look ridiculous, you look like crayons, and not Crayolas but them cheap ass Dollar General ones that all the colors have a strange dullness to them lol



3. Here are some brands that are pretty wack right now....Coogi(yeah I said it), Akademiks,Ecko,Girbaud(the strapped ones, normal jeans are okay),Shady(never was cool),and Makavelli(the biggest disgrace to Tupac's name ever. He would never have worn that wackness)



4.And now for some you better not have these on or you will be clowned....Avirex, Southpole,U.S. Polo Assn(lol you better not have these on. People will make you wanna kill yourself afterward I have seen it many a time, and everytime I see it, and its worse each time.) and Fubu(never wear that or Old people will joke on you.)


5. Most importantly, If you wear tall tees still kill yourself lol

Summer Recap and What 2 Look Forward to This Fall

Well I don't know about the rest of you but this summer was pretty cool but also seemed like the longest summer of my life. So besides the bonfires, beers, and friends you hungout with, you might have realized the drought musically we were in this summer. I think the two biggest party songs were, "Ice Cream Paint Job" by Dorrough and "You're A Jerk" by the New Boyz. I do think one of the better songs from this summer was probably "Poke Her Face" by Kid Cudi ft. Kanye & Common. That song is just so cool you forget how degrading it is to women. And anytime you can get girls to sing degrading lyrics its always funny. Another big song, at least to me was "Pretty Girls" by Wale ft. Gucci Mane. I think part of it is the shock that either one would work together. But hands down the biggest song this summer has to be "D.O.A." by Jay-Z. And what is great about that is one of the most popular songs this summer talked about how a genre is horrible right now. I think Blueprint 3 easily has the momentum to be the best selling album this year. But after Jay-Z, what other albums are there to look for? Well Secondly I think Lupe Fiasco's LASERS is something to look for. Lupe seems to get better each time out and I'm sure this album is worth the wait. And plus Lu is so stingy with music everytime its something new I'm happy to hear it. But after Lupe, we have probably the last albums of Class of 09' rappers(and the Heavyweights of the class). First up is Kid Cudi, Cudi easily has the best success so far with Day N' Nite and Poke Her Face. Plus all the music I heard outside of that is really good and innovative. So along with Cudi, I have to put Wale & Drake as the next hottest albums this fall & winter. Even though Wale is one of my favorite rappers I think Drake will outsell him and get more media attention(actually he's already doing that) but Wale is a fighter and I think he may have a dedicated following like Lupe. But I think Drake is the favorite of every girl and every non hip-hop head. I would like to see Wale pull a classic with commercial success out but I've got doubts. Drake is on MTV.com everyday for gosh sake. And plus is the only rapper I know that is not from the hood and starred on a teenage drama to have a huge street following. So those are my favorites this summer musically. Hope the fall doesnt suck lol

How College Dropout Changed My Life.....

Its funny when you look back at your life and relive moments that ultimately change it. That can be said about my life and College Dropout. By the time, College Dropout, came out I had already fallen in and out of love with Hip-Hop. I first fell in love with it right around when 2pac died. But by the time 50 Cent dropped Get Rich or Die Trying, I almost hated rap. Its probably because the first rapper I really knew was Pac, and by the time 50 got huge everyone compared him to Pac. I decided then and there that if hip-hop was so empty of emotional stories and good music that 50 Cent is 2pac, I AM DONE WITH RAP. So in 8th grade I started listening to anything but rap: Nirvana,Weezer,The Beatles,Led Zeppelin,The White Stripes,The Strokes,Miles Davis,George Benson, and anything else. But as I went to high school rap cameout with really good music. First Speakerboxx/Love Below dropped(classic), Black Album(Jay-Z) dropped, and College Dropout dropped. College Dropout is what offically brought me back into Rap. Because like me Kanye West was a suburban black kid, who loved fashion, was educated about the plight of black people, and loved things not stereotypically black. So his swagg got me and when I got his album it clicked. From that first skit featuring Deray as Bernie Mac, I was hooked. I listened to that cd nonstop for weeks and months. I could relate to everything on that album. How people try and label you, ignorance, religon,fashion,humor, politics, struggles, and victory. After that I felt a connection with Kanye. It was more than just a good music connection, it was like he was the first rapper to talk about shit I was feeling. All his albums parallel with my life at different points. College Dropout-came in my freshman yr in high school, Late Registration-an album about having things you always wanted but lacking something cameout my Jr. Yr of HS. Graduation came out 4 months after my high school graduation and explained the joy felt of moving on to adulthood and having fun partying. 808 and Heartbreak, is the most connected to any album I felt since College Dropout. 808 came at a time in my life where I was in a huge depression in my life. I didn't want to do to school anymore, my love life was fucking horrible, my life was totally just out of wack jus like 808. So Kanye West, despite being an asshole is one of my heroes. And I feel like he is the best artist this decade...If you don't fuck you lol Holla

Artist To Watch: Dane One

I recently heard about Dane One, through a friend working through his street team. I looked him up on Myspace and heard a couple of his songs. And I have to say I'm feeling him. Dane One seems to be something that is missing in rap in this age. A dude who is holding down for his city(Chicago) and who is influenced by the sounds of his environment. He's style is pretty original but if I had to describe it to someone who hasn't heard it I would say a mixture of Chicago based rap(i.e. Crucial Conflict) and a mixture of a young 50 in his tone and delivery. His music is street but a more conscious street. In true Chi-Town form he speaks of the glamour involved in the street life but the pain and hard knocks involved in it. But I suggest that everyone check him out and support the man. For more info and a listen to some of his tracks go to www.myspace.com/teamfirst Holla

Malcolm X: The Black Conservative

The title of this post to some might feel is ridiculous. After all in the history books at your school you are basically taught that after slavery there were two Civil Rights leaders: Dr. King and Brother Malcolm. After that in a round about wat they tell you MLK was the "good one" and Malcolm was the "bad one". These two figures are presented as polar opposites. They present MLK as the angel of light, unifying people of different races with his poetic words and non-violent protest. They present X as this demon, dividing people and calling for the murder of all white people. That is unfortunate. True MLK and Malcolm X are different in philosophies. But to present them as "bad and good men", respectfully, is a crime to history and their legacies. Also the characterization of Malcolm is so far from the truth. By all means Malcolm was no more radical than any modern day Conservative. Malcolm X advocated that the best way for black America to advance in America was by not accepting handouts from white America. That includes not accepting welfare, food stamps, and the things that many feel don't support hard work. He was a deeply religous man and tried to live his life on the principles given in the Quran and the Bible. Also he was an advocate of the 2nd amendment. He believed that people where given the right to own and defend themselves with guns. But this is where people usually say he advocated hate. Malcolm didn't advocate hate but he saw a double standard. The people who said he was a hoodlum for advocating defense were the same one turning hoses on black people and lynching black people. But one difference between King and X was that Malcolm felt a non-violent struggle could not give Black Americans true freedom. He felt the only successful fights for freedom in history were by force. And if you don't believe that why do we fight wars? Remember America became a country by declaring war on their former homeland. So was he wrong in feeling that? Maybe. But his conservative views on welfare and programs also opened the door to him feeling that people couldn't ask for freedom. He felt that when you ask for something guaranteed to all Americans you are not being treated as an man. So what is controversial about that? And also if you put him in the context of history his statements describing white people as "white devils" wasnt as controversial as the American government doing testa with Syphillis on black men in Tuskegee, the acceptance of lyching in the south, or the murder of Emitt Till. I think it became easier to White America for them to be scared of Malcolm X than Martin Luther King. But while doing that they closed their mind to how Malcolm X was conservative in many aspects of his life. Even some of the leading Black Conservatives today realize that. Michael Steele has said his favorite historical hero was Malcolm X because he was about action. Also Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said Malcolm X was his hero. So why do we not give Malcolm X credit in the Civil Rights Movement? The better question I might ask is why are Martin Luther King, George Washington Carver, and Harriet Tubman the only black people we learn about in school. Is it because we believe they're not as threatening? And if not that are there only a few important black people in American History? Think About it....

Happy Birthday SPlifted!! We are 1 Year Old...

1 year ago today, I started SPlifted Research, the website. The website was started out of one of our favorite past times, talking music, politics, and (explicit) lol. With the help of my friends and those of you who kept reading and giving support through Facebook and Myspace, a year later I'm still doing it. I want to thank you all for giving me to time to express my views(though sometimes Crazy) and responding with yours. Although we been around for just a year I feel like alot has changed in the world. We lost a music legend, got a new president, and the economy sunk. So I guess you can say we started when the president was white and the economy wasnt as bad. But through all the joy, pain, laughs, cries, and music of the past year we have talked about all of those things on this site. I never thought that when I started this website I would do it for more than a couple of months. I literally started this an hour after thinking about it. All I can say is I knew that I had strong opinions about things that I felt were getting neglected by other people.But with all of that, I promise to do more with this blog than before. I'm gonna feature new artists(including 1 I heard about through a friend named Dane 1) and the latest in politics and style. Also I wanna finally do the next part of the website and create a mixtape(artist rap and rock holla at me). And If you wanna join the team hit me up on Facebook or Myspace. Or by my email. Anyway lets keep the ball rollin'. Let's make it another great year. Holla

Yours Truly,
Juice, Editor in Chief

Coolest High Schooler Ever: Zach Morris Vs. The Fresh Prince

Okay in this time of politics and debates we have neglected a special topic. Yes, long before Obama or McCain, Kobe or Lebron, and iPod vs Zune there was one debate...who was the coolest teenager ever? Zach Morris or Will Smith(Fresh Prince). Now both are easily the two coolest TV teens ever but who reigned supreme? Lets Begin

Background
Zach Morris-Rich Kid who lives in Southern California, had his own cell phone(before most of America), and is the biggest troublemaker at Bayside High School.
Will "Fresh Prince" Smith-Poor Kid from West Philidelphia(Born & Raised) for a punishment for getting into a Fight he is sent to live with his Uncle & Aunt in Bel-Air.Coolest Kid and biggest troublemaker at Bel-Air Prepatory
Decision-While Will's family is richer and his life is a rags to richest story, it is easier to be cool at a Private School than a Public School. Also Zach Morris commited more felonies than any TV character not to be arrested...plus Zach had a phone. 1 for Zach

Clothes
Zach Morris-Zach was a pretty cool dresser but didnt start any cool fashions.
Will Smith-The Fresh Prince is the prototype of cool as he wears the bright colors, Jordans, Earrings, and the coolest fade ever(sorry Kid from House Party).
Decision: 1 for Will

Girls
Zach-He not only had Kelly(who is still fine) but hooked up with Jessie,and the fine Lisa Turtle,(all of which on and off camera) and every other female to be on the show.
Will-He got some of the finest girls in History. He had a young Tisha Campbell, Nia Long(twice as two different characters), Naomi Campbell, Vivica A. Fox, Jasmine Guy, Kim Fields, Tyra Banks, Robin Givens, and Garcelle Beauvens. All he was missing was Halle Berry and thats a perfect list. LOL
Decison-Will was a whore LOL 1 For Will.

Special Powers
Zach-He could Freeze Time, Damn
Will-none
Decison-Zach

Actors who Portrayed them
Zach-Mark-Paul Gossalor, after Saved by the Bell, nothing lol
Will-Will Smith is one of the top earning actors of all time. He has been nominated for 2 Oscars, He has several Grammys, married to Jada Pickett(damn), his kids are good actors.
Decision-No Competion 1 for Will

Impact
Zach-Saved by the Bell is a classic teen show and remains popular to this day
Will-Fresh Prince introduced Hip-Hop to many people, remains popular today and the episodes never get Old. Also on Saved By the Bell they watched Fresh Prince beat that....
Decision-1 for Will

Winner-The Fresh Prince(Hip Hop wins)



HOLLA LOL

Jazz

Recently, my love of Jazz music has been renewed. I could say that is out of the frustration of current music and also my boredom of summer and my need to just chill but I think it's more than that. Jazz(until the death of Miles Davis) was the most inventive style of music ever on this earth. The best thing about Jazz is that the pioneers of it all learned classical music and used its structures to advance an art born out of slavery. Hip-Hop which is a child of blues and jazz at its best is only a little brother to music of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Theolonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Dizzie Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holiday, George Gershwin, Louis Armstrong, and all the legends of jazz. Hip-Hop is improvisational like jazz but as of lately it lacks the slickness, soul, and structure of a great jazz composition. Instead of evolving into a grater artform it has devolved. Its a million rappers and producers who don't understand structure and the importance of their work. It is no question that some of the greatest rappers and producers are fans of jazz and sometimes the children of jazz musicians themselves. Nas's father, Olu Dara is a jazz musician. Rakim's parents were jazz musicans, Lupe Fiasco's father was a jazz musician, along with many others. The fans of jazz make hip-hop better. While Jay-Z and Kanye have the most swag out of any genre they understand that they cannot dress or be more cool than a Miles Davis, a John Coltrane, or a Dizzie Gillespie. Jazz is the original cool. Jazz caused a shift in American Culture. It made it where white kids start to dress and look up to African Americans. That is something lost today. Also, Jazz is such a wide collection of sounds that no musical genre has ever come close to it. Jazz is the greatest artform America ever made. It shifted the worlds eyes to music created from the children of former slaves. Jazz is American history. So in honor of it I want to include two downloads to introduce you to jazz. Not that Kenny G bs you think is jazz but REAL Jazz to say it bluntly. So here are to of the greatest cds ever.

Miles Davis-Kind of Blue
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=V6M60WAF

John Coltrane-Blue Train
http://rs99.rapidshare.com/files/39819596/1957_John_Coltrane_-_Blue_Train.rar

more jazz to come holla

Featured Lady: Lauren London

There are rumors out that woman above in Pregnant. Not just with anyone's child but that of DeWayne Michael Carter Jr, yes Weezy. So seeing as how Lil' Wayne has killed a dream of mine I'm choosing to feature Ms. London as a featured Lady for the second time. She was after all the first one on this site so Its only right for her to be the first one to be featured twice. So here are some of the pictures showing the beautiful young lady before her pregnancy. And go see I LOVE YOU, BETH COOPER she's in it.....holla

I hate You Lil' Wayne.....lmfao

Will We Ever Learn?

After the shocking death of Michael Jackson people initially took a step back and remembered all the greatness of his work. They put all the rumors and lies(he was found innocent and I believe he was) they read in tabloids and the internet and realize they had just lost the greatest entertainer ever and one of the most tragic people ever. But after a couple of days the once credible media like CNN has become a magazine television show. I heard this and I heard that blah blah blah. They treat a recently deceased and unburied man as the circus freak they portrayed him as in life. For what? A couple of more viewers? You sacrifice the legacy of a man and his children’s view of their father for a couple of flashes in the minds of people who’s attention span is the length of toddlers and monkeys? Where did journalism go in America? Is it no longer about truth and now about who has the juiciest tip? Do we not realize we made Michael Jackson seem weirder than he was because it sold? We destroyed someone we loved because a lie is more believable than the truth. We as people believe two lies about celebrities: the first is they are higher than humans and second that they live drastically different lives from us. Michael Jackson by all accounts was the most fragile, soft spoken, and troubled man before he was a superstar, what made us think he could take that. This man only wanted love from his fans and the respect of his peers but we forced him into seclusion and when he changed musically we threw him away and called him a freak. And in death they are called him a freak. When will we learn or will we ever learn?

Who I'm Feeling Right Now: TV on The Radio

Alright, I know TV on the Radio has been out for a minute but in the last month I have really got into them. But in a time of unoriginal music they shine out as a hope that music may not be dead...completely. Dear Science their most recent cd is a gem hidden last year(it been the year of Tha Carter III and all). For true Alt-Rock fans, TOTR is a flashback of the origins of the genre with hints of David Bowie and a little New Wave,Punk, and Funk. My favorite song on the album is "Crying" which is a weird sounding but catchy. Your first listen will have you humming it for hours and days after hearing it. Another attractive thing about the band as you can see above is their mixed make-up consisting of black people and a white person(Tunde Adebimpe, the lead singer is from Africa). This and the great music they produce seems to indicate that music transcends ethnic barriers and cultural stereotypes. Another reason I wrote this post is I thought after all you bandwagon MJ fans attention spans end you will be open to different music. So if you love music get TOTR's Dear Science....

20 Best Michael Jackson Songs + 10 Best Jackson 5 songs

Say what you will about the personal life of an artist but in the end Michael Jackson was still an artist. Not just with videos also Michael Jackson was one of the greatest songwritters and singers to walk this earth and as a true fan of music and Michael here's the 20 greatest Michael Jackson songs.

20.Heal The world
19.Who Is it
18.Blood On the dance floor
17.You are not alone
16. Thriller
15. Stranger In Moscow
14.Will You Be there
13.Gone Too Soon
12.Dont Stop Til You Get enough
11. The Lady In My Life
10. Dirty Diana
9. The Way you make me feel
8. Smooth Criminal
7. Wanna Be Starting Something
6. Leave Me Alone
5. Rock With You
4.P.Y.T.
3. Man In the Mirror
2. Billie Jean
1. Human Nature

Jackson 5 songs
10.Sugar Daddy
9.Rockin' Robin
8.Dancin' Machine
7.Blame It on The Boogie
6. ABC
5.Love You Save
4.Want You Back
3. Who's Lovin' You
2.Never Can Say Goodbye
1. I'll Be there

Michael Joseph Jackson 1958-2009

Yesterday, the world lost the greatest entertainer ever to walk the earth(forward & backward). Michael Jackson was the first artist I ever listened to. Of course my age has handicapped me to only remember the events of his life from the Dangerous Album days. My first memory in both TV and music was the premiere of the Black & White video. I had seen other videos of Michael Jackson(I've always loved and been terrified of the Thriller Video) but I watched the Black & White Video live on FOX. My dad made me a Jackson 5 fan as well as a Michael Jackson fan and that is one of the coolest things we share. Michael Jackson means so much to so many people but I think he will be remembered differently by different people. I think black people are more forgiving of the controversies that are brought up as much as his name. But I think it's accurate to say his music will forever speak volumes over those short comings. Every Michael Jackson album went platinum. Every MJ album is amazing to hear and is a jewel. And with saying that 2 points can be raised. First there will never be another Michael Jackson. And I know people say that alot about dead people(still cant believe he is dead) but statistically there will never be another. Thriller sold 28 million records in America alone. No one else can do that again. The best selling album last year sold 3 million copies. The other point raised out of this lost is Michael Jackson was so underrated and so mistreated since the 80s. This man lived to entertain and every step of the way people used him, lied about him, and isolated him even more. My sister raised a great point right after we heard he passed. Michael Jackson died alone and feeling like no one loved him on a personal basis. This man was an entertainer since about 6 years old and his career spanned over 40 years. He raised money for AIDS, Cancer, and hunger around the world. He made black people accesible on MTV and helped popularize BET. And with all that it took his death to realize how they had treated him. I feel guilty as well. I am a huge MJ fan since I was born but I often made jokes about his appearance and odd behavior. I didnt realize what Michael Jackson mwant to me until he was gone....R.I.P. Michael Jackson

Featured Guest: Keith Brown with his rebuttal of King Magazine's 8 Facts about Hip-Hop

I'm readin these...and I figured I just had 2 say somethin about it....so I'mma state the "facts" and summarize the premises...then I'll rebut them. Some I agree with, others I don't

1. Ice Cube had the greatest 5 year run in Hip Hop

basically...from '88-'92 Ice Cube had no stumbles and made the best of the time from building N.W.A with "Fuck Tha Police" and destroying them on "No Vaseline" with "AmeriKKKas Most Wanted", "The Predator" and "Death Certificate" all certified classics in between

I gotta say I agree with that....even Jay-Z didn't do 5 straight years without stumbling, Pac either

2. Famous Common is less than Common Sense

basically they sayin that as Common Sense gained popularity his mic skills diminished since his heyday in the 90's.

I'mma have to say I agree AND disagree...Common Sense is one of the dopest emcees to touch a mic. I admit that 2000's "Like Water For Chocolate" specifically the lead single "The Light" garnered him a new fanbase, one more likely to watch Oprah than Rap City: The Basement. He isn't as witty on the mic as he was on "Can I Borrow a Dollar" or "Resurrection" and has yet to make a song as good as "I Used To Love H.E.R."...that said 2005's "Be" is his best work...also Finding Forever's "Start The Show" and "The Game" as well as his guest appearance on Kanye West's "Get Em High" all show that while he has a different crowd 2 cater to....dude still got it on the mic

3. In 2009, Ready To Die sounds dated

What they're basically sayin is that Biggies classic offering has more skippable tracks than classics His shouting delivery (Gimmie The Loot) is no longer used for a reason, and the samples used on the album are no longer relevant.

once again....I agree and disagree. the samples used on this album are the same types of samples that have people calling 9th Wonder a genius. If if there are skippable tracks on this album they only seem as such because they aren't as good as the "Juicy", "The What" and "Unbelievable"

4. Miami has yet to produce a great MC
What they're saying is that aside from 2 Live Crew who are pioneers of 1st amendment rights in Hip Hop and Trick Daddy who is ultimately "Tupac-Lite" Miami has no representatives in the stratosphere of unfuckwitability.

simply put....they're right...Miami has a few pretty good emcees...but no one to rival the kings of other coasts

5. Summer of '98 was crucial to Jay-Z's career

Basically what they're sayin is that In My Lifetime Vol. 1 was a sophmore slump in comparison to Reasonable Doubt...and had it not been for Big's death and Jay not making some great strides he would have fizzled out

Vol. 1 was really bad...it had 2 of Jay's worse tracks I've ever heard and some of the worst beats he's ever selected too. I think Vol. 2 was a great step up. but I don't think Jay would have fizzled out. Not with Blueprint and Black album yet to come, and his uncanny knack to make good radio friendly records. But all in all Summer of 98 was very pivotal.

6. Lil Wayne is the best punchline rapper of all time

Basically they say he's witty and has great delivery. So he's the best at it

Now I'mma try my best not 2 sound like a hater...but NO...most of Wayne's "punchlines" are actually similes some of them good ("make a movie of our lifestyle/but they urn/like a dead body burned on a mantlepiece) some of them horrible (I gets all in ya head just like shampoo) In my opinion the greatest punchline rapper might be Redman. the best right now, I'd have to go with Ludacris

7. Tupac's influence is second to none, but he was an average mc
the jist of what they're sayin is that Pac is and was of the pillars of Hip Hop culture but his skills on the mic wern't that great and that he should rather be regarded as the "most important rapper of all time"

2Pac is probably my all time favorite emcee. No he's not the wittiest puchline, metaphor and simile type emcee. but his message on the mic was unparalleled. the stories he tells and the pictures he paints puts him in the same conversation with Shakespere and Poe. Common Sense once rhymes "peep the passion of this B-Boy rationale half of it is what you say and half is style" Pac was al substance and because of it he needed no flash and flare on the mic, just his conviction makes him who he is alone.

8. Nas has Hip Hop's best solo discography
Hell U know the albums. I aint gotta explain

Personally I prefer Jay-Z's over anybody's beause even with his mis steps he's got the most albums I listen to for a SOLO artists compared to anybody else. I do feel like Nas' might rival his

Why I Hate BET & Tyler Perry....yeah I said it

At one time of my life I loved B.E.T. I couldn't wait to get home to see 106 & Park with A.J. & Free, watch Rap City: The Basement with Tigger, and even Hits from the Street. But overtime BET started showing alot more negative stereotypes surprisingly as more people started watching it. At one time BET had News and responsible mature conversations about sex, violence, and the things that affect the African American community. But after BET was sold to Viacom(MTV,Nickeloden,CMT,VH1 yes Viacom owns all of that) BET started being used as a broke version of MTV. Every horrible show MTV makes BET recreates with a special "blackface twist" You have Cribs here's How I'm Livin'. You have the Real World here's College Hill( which makes a joke out of great HBCUs). You have The Hills and Laguna Beach here's Baldwin Hills(easily the worst show I've ever seen on any network. Sidenote: Have you ever watched that show? The dialogue is so horrible it make it look like them damn kids can't read a script as well as act.) BET also is responsible for putting the worst hip-hop and R&B in America on the air. Think about this Bow-Wow has more retired videos than Kanye. Wtf is that? And if I see another Video about an abstract idea, imma scream. But as Spike Lee would say the "Coonery & Bufoonery" is not totally on BET. Tyler Perry has made almost billions off it. Now I'm not knocking a man for making money. But at what cost dude do you sell your soul? Every play, movie, and show depicts the ugliness of our community: Violence, Drugs, Promiscuity, and Ignorance without solutions but with laughter. Now are they funny? Yeah I guess but the bigger problem is what does this say to people who arent black? Some don't present Black people as bad for instance, Why Did I Get Married?( which happens to black ppl and white ppl) but not enough of his work shows positive black people who are successful. Why? You have the power to change situations but instead you become part of the problem. The problem is to people who are not black or from urban areas, black people are what they see on TV. And what do they see on TV? Ignorance. So when I meet some of those people they say: Wow you talk so proper. Then I'm stuck thinking....What the Fuck you expect me to talk like? Am I supposed to say ask like ax. I guess I'm supposed to start rapping and dancing in mid-sentence too huh? And instead of black people showing how ridiculus that is we add to it. So in the end are we putting blackface on ourselves. When we start taking responsibility for what we portray. Because I can tell you this, Pres. Obama, Oprah, and even Jay-Z are better examples of the black people I know than Gucci Mane, Lil' Wayne, and Katt Williams.....HOLLA think about it

SPLIFTEDxSUMMER09: What 2 Rock

Thank God its summer first of all. But to me this summer is different, I mean its the last summer of the "new millennium" and so you have to do it right. Also this summer will be probably the last summer where 80s clothes are definitely still cool. So you know what that means bright clothes,hi-tops, and fades. But don't go overboard don't try to wear to much color limit it to your hats, tees/shirts, and sneakers. Lime Green, Neon Colors, and Royal Purples are the best colors for the summer and can make you standout but not in a bad way. You should get shirts a little more fit with shorter sleeves and slimmer sides. Jeans should be a little more fit but not suffocating you(get whats comfortable). Levi's 501 and LRG are always perfect with slim jeans. I like high tops usually Dunks and Vans but I recently got some Nike Flight Lites which are comfortable and standout strong. I gave style icons to follow last year and here are this years: Kid Cudi, The Cool Kids, and yes Will Smith(Fresh Prince not I Am Legend lol). But I'm really feeling Cudi's style. Almost as much as when I first saw Kanye's style. The difference is Cudi's style is simplified but stands out, something I strive to do. Kanye's style changed hip hop clothing kind of like FUBU changed the 90s. The Cool Kids are the 80s nostaligalistic Dynamic Duo. They sometimes go overboard but mostly stay within reason. And no throwback style would be complete without the Fresh Prince. The first 2 season of the Fresh Prince are still some of the coolest things stylistically. And also ever since I was a kid I strived to be Will Smith. lol. But on the real I have a couple of examples of what to wear so..... Step Yo' Game Up. PEACE

Element Plaid, $40, www.elementskateboards.com

WESC Blue Tee, $20, www.pac-sun.com

LRG Grassroots Jeans, $85, www.karmaloop.com

Nike Air Flight Lite, $80, www.finishline.com

What I'm Feeling Right Now: Kid Cudi

Kid Cudi has been gaining momentum as a rising star in hip-hop and pop music. The Buzz first started with him writing and being featured on several songs on Kanye's eclectic album, 808's and Heartbreak. Then he dropped Day N' Nite, which is probably one of the hottest tracks in Hip-Hop and Pop music. Kid Cudi's mixtapes: A Kid Named Cudi and Dat Kid From Cleveland(not official) are swarming with buzz also.(both download links provided below) Kid Cudi swag and style also is very captivating. His intrest in seeral types of music was clearly influential on 808 and seems to be why Kid Cudi seems to be Kanye's Wonder Kid(no pun intended). Cudi along with Drake, Asher Roth, Wale, B.O.B., and all the new young artist in rap seems to be a good thing. Alot of devout Hip-Hop heads will probably disagree and say that this isn't rap. We must realize Hip-Hop reflects the people who listen to it. I do not only listen to rap and most of my friends don't either. Our world is merging in Culture and Hip-Hop is an example of that. If Hip Hop doesnt evolve it will die. The same thing happened with Rock, people didnt want to change and their careers suffered for it. So we have got to accept things are gonna change and change is not always a bad thing....

Plain Pat & Emile Present: A Kid Named Cudi

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NKBDEYC9

Dat Kid From Cleveland Mixtape

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=66AFCLEE

Album Review: Asleep In the Bread Aisle

Asher Roth is probably the most hyped rapper since Lupe Fiasco. He has a chart topping debut single, "I Love College", has been interviewed by everyone from Rolling Stone to the Wall Street Journal, and is getting unfair comparisons to the greatest white rapper ever, Marshall Mathers III, aka Eminem. But despite all the hype his debut, Asleep in the Bread Aisle, proves to be quite impressive. Despite the comparisons, Asher Roth is not the new Eminem, which isnt a bad thing. He is more of a Backpack rapper, if anything other than Asher Roth. He does have manic and funny songs( Lark on my Kart, Bad Day, Lion Roar ft. Busta Rhymes, and Be By Myself w/ Cee-Lo) but he also goes deeper in songs(His Dream, Sour Patch Kids) and talks about his love for Hip Hop(Fallin'). But the most talked about song is "As I Em" a song that addresses the Eminem comparisons and his respect for him. But with this album, Asher Roth builds on his own hype and seperates his self from other rappers, both white and black. After this album the comparisons to Eminem are now irrelevant and a display of lets face it racism. But Asher Roth is one of the best new rappers and this album proves that. My only problem is the album is kinda short but full of quality. So i give it a 9/10. Yes its that good.

Legalize It? Really?

First let me say this I do not condone any illegal behavior and I do not smoke marijuana. Also I am not an expert I'm just interested. But I hear, all the time, "Weed should be legal" which is usually followed "dude" or "man". Then the other statement is usually "The only reason the government won't is because they can't tax it" which is crazy, the government could tax toilet usage if they wanted. So the debate is why isn't it legal and the question is do you really want it legal? The pros of legalization would include: more tax dollars, decriminalization of non violent marijuana crimes, and alot of high people. But the cons for marijuana advocates could break their heart. Although people would benefit from selling weed they would have to have a real legit business and alot of permits. Also it would be no clear way of telling how much weed you could smoke and drive and be in public. And the worst thing would be the destruction of marijuana culture. Movies like: Up in Smoke, Harold & Kumar, How High, and every other weed movie would not be as funny. Also alot of reggae, rap, and jazz would lose their risqueness. Weed sub-culture would no longer be fun or funny. Most people would smoke weed with no sense of the history and pride of smoking, it would be lame. And then no one would smoke, weed sells would plummet, and the dream of weed legalization would end in disaster. But of course this is hypothetical and told by a conspiracy theorist but it is very likely this could happen. But the biggest con against legalization is the government. Can you imagine how horrible the Amercian Government would make marijuana if it was legal. Look at what they did to tobacco. Cigarettes and tobacco products are so bad for you people who don't even smoke get cancer. So imagine how horrible a joint and blunt would be for you. So i know i have crushed a dream for many of you but hey dont stop believing lol Keep Toking...Happy 420....

Splifted Research's Official 4/20 Playlist....

Okay, I know it's 4/20 so I decided i would help ya'll out and put some classic smoking songs on a playlist for you. And also I'm going to say you do not have to smoke to enjoy a good smoking song(It helps) but you don't have to. And also I am NOT condoning any illegal activities. So here it goes.

1. I Get High-Styles P

2. Kush-Lil Wayne

3. The Weed Song-Bone Thugs N Harmony

4. Smoking On Purple-Lil Boosie ft Webbie

5. Legalize It-Peter Tosh

6. Mary Jane-Rick James

7. Pass The Dutchie-Musical Youth

8. Easy Skankin-Bob Marley

9. Blaze It Up(For the Weed Heads)-Bone Thugs N Harmony

10. Blueberry Yum Yum-Ludacris

11. Crumblin Erb-Outkast

12. Jammin-Bob Marley

13. HI-Life-U.G.K.

14. Let Me Ride-Dr. Dre

15. Next Episode-Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg

16. I'd Rather Be With You-Bootsy Collins

17. PMW-Lil Wayne

18. Paper Planes-M.I.A.

19. Machine Gun Funk-Notorious B.I.G.

20. Wrap Sumden-Nelly ft. St. Lunatics

And Then At the end of the day, after you have wasted time, money, and brain cells play- Because I Got High-Afroman

Happy Toking I guess lol

Everybody Hates Chris....

To be honest I am a Chris Brown fan and I also realize he made a stupid mistake in this assault thing( If he did It). But I look at things from an outside bigger picture. Why are all these people trying to persecute him. He is not the first singer to be accused of this. I think it is several reasons why also. Im not gonna say it is race but why did no one say shit about Kid Rock beating women, Tommy Lee, Elvis, Paul McCartney, Charlie Sheen, Eminem(allegedly) and whole bunch of other people. Why does the media feel it is necessary to make a teenager seem like a fucking monster for making a mistake if it is not race? Why are black youth charged with crimes twice as likely to have there pictures shown than white youth. Why are black youth and white youth charged with the same crime given different sentences. Let me tell you something, if instead of Chris Brown supposely hitting Rhianna, Zac Effron had hit Vanessa Hutchins alot of motherfuckers wouldnt say shit. People are treated unfairly because of skin color. I mean dont get me wrong a crime is a crime but 2 wrongs dont make it right. No man should never hit a woman correct but no woman should hit a man neither. And too often people don't wanna talk about that. So the media chooses to compare Chris Brown to Bobby Brown, O.J., Ike Turner, Michael Vick, and any other black man white people hate. It is all a game and they fucking with people to make money not to help abused people so they can cut the shit. And I don't think his career is over, they want it to be but people forget about shit quick. Fuck we keep giving Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston old asses chances why not C. Breezy? My bible says, "Ye without sin cast the first stone." So think on that....

Hip-Hop Ain't Dead, All Music is....

Too often is Hip Hop called Dead without putting it in context. Yes Hip-Hop is dead, but so is all music. And it has been for a good while. All Music Rap, R&B, Rock(for damn sure), Country, Jazz, Blues, and anything you can think of. If you dont believe me what is the last good rock band to come out and stay around. White Stripes in like 2001? Even Pop Rock. Who Fall Out Boy? Music has no soul anymore for the most part. People just want there songs on the radio and on phones. And even the Grammys has caved in you realize Tha Carter III won best Rap Album. Although it was good The Cool was the most unique and inventive album in that category. But they would rather give it to the highest selling album in the past few years. Are we rewarding making alot of money or making good albums. Or is the problem deeper than all of this? Is it that society as a whole would rather make money than do stuff they enjoy or makes a difference. Most of my friends are majoring in business and don't know what they wanna do. Or they all wanna be sports medicine majors when that field isn't expanding. We look down on people that become teachers(like I plan to be) and look up to people who have more zeros behind their salaries. So does Cash Rule Everything Around Me? Hell Yes. People dont wanna hear good music they want whats hot. Record companies don't care about the bullshit artists they produce they wanna make money. So the chain is Artist make bullshit, People buy bullshit, Record Companies want more bullshit. And further evidence of the death of music is all the good artists are either quiting or doing other stuff. Kanye is talking about quitting and becoming a designer, Lupe is talking about retirement, Eminem is just coming back, Jay-Z is just releasing singles, Andre 3000( who knows what that nigga is doing, anything but Hip Hop) But this story isnt going away anytime soon so To be Continued....