100 Grand(Grizzy Hendrix)'s Schizophrenia

The life of a college student is hectic. The amount of craziness involved with every day life is time consuming and stressful. One way I deal with this is new music. 2 days ago I received a link** to a new artist named 100 Grand from New York. 100 Grand has a free album available on his band camp album named Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is the perfect title for an album describing the life of college students and young people of this time. In this album 100 Grand or Grizzy Hendrix talks about the chaos of being a young person in the 21st century. In both humor and darkness, this album describes the thoughts of many people just like me. At certain points of this album I feel like he is speaking my thoughts about college, life, and the world. Much is often made about the fun and parties of young people but rarely is an album honest about the uncertainty about this time. At times the album is dark but an underlining humor is found in his lyrics. College and life for that matter is not all about fun. So I respect the honesty of artists who speak to people like me. The production of the album is pretty crisp. The album is both modern and a throwback to mid nineties new york production. I often receive links to music from artists. 100 Grand is probably the best of which I received. Some of my favorite tracks from Schizophrenia are: "Wake Up", "Cut Class", "Blunts in the Air", and "Blow That Sh**". If you havent heard of 100 Grand before...I'm sure you will be hearing about him in the future. Go to his bandcamp to download this album and his other releases.




**Note: send information about new artist to spliftedresearch@gmail.com or hit us up on twitter @spliftdresearch.

Art of the Week: Basquiat's Most Kings

Jean-Michel Basquiat has become a common punchline in hip-hop lately. Rozay and Kanye have referenced him several times but the biggest Basquiat fan is Jay-Z. Jay-Z(also a collector of his work) has shouted out the deceased artist several times in his songs. The most famous of which is "Most Kingz" which is inspired by the piece above. MOST YOUNG KINGS GET THIER HEADS CUT OFF! is a very powerful statement. Everyone is aiming for the top or the person at the top. The one in power has to keep his eyes open for his successor. He must do so because the successor is willing to kill to get in his spot. Basquiat's art is some of my favorite. It is both street and almost royal. A crown is found in many of his works which goes along with his rugged sense of elegance. Like Basquiat's own life this painting is a reminder that its not easy to be king. Jean-Michel Basquiat's tale mirrors this perfectly. He started out as a New York Graffiti Artist. He slowly rose in New York art circles in the early to mid-Eighties. He became part of Andy Warhol's inner circle and after Warhol's death in 87' he fell deep into addiction and depression. In 1988, Basquiat died of a heroin overdose. He was 27.

SN He looks just like Kid Cudi doesnt he lol

Album Review: J. Cole's Cole World: The Sideline Story

Hunger. Hunger seems to be something missing from the landscape of modern hip-hop. Money is the motive. People want to be rappers because they have money, girls, cars, jewelery and all the other thing we see on videos. But rarely in this day and time is there a rapper who wants to be a rapper, just to be a rapper. That is hunger. And J.Cole is hungry. J.Cole has slowly risen in the game from what many would call a "backpack rapper" to "the next great rapper of our time". J.Cole is different from a lot of emcees. He's a college grad, he produces almost all of his own stuff, and he is a bit older than most rookies(26). But the main difference between J. Cole and everyone else is his stories. Cole World: The Sideline Story is full of those stories. He has stories about relationships, dreams, setbacks, and the life of a young black man trying to make it. With intelligence and humor, Cole has created one of the best debut albums in hip-hop history. For people who have listened to J. Cole for a while, this will come as no surprise. The winning formula he has used on his mixtapes is again used on his debut. J.Cole seems poised to take the throne. He is a true emcee in a time when no one takes pride in that. On "Rise and Shine" Cole has a sample of Jay-Z talking about the type of person he wanted to sign. I think he found that in a kid from Carolina. To me this album is the best debut since Lupe Fiasco's Food and Liquor. I give it a 4.5/5. Anyway, buy J.Cole's album in a couple of hrs its well worth the buy.

Artist Spotlight: Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar has alot on his shoulders. In recent months he has been given the mantle of the West by Dr. Dre, Snoop, Kurupt, and Game. Over the summer, Lamar released the free album Section.80 which has been critically acclaimed. Also Kendrick Lamar has been featured on the Game's RED Album and on remix to Foster the People's Pumped Up Kicks. Kendrick Lamar's flow is deadly. His rapid fire style is so captivating you are left stunned. This is displayed perfectly on "Look Out for Detox". There is a story that last year on the anniversary of Tupac's death, Kendrick Lamar had a vision of Tupac. In the dream, Tupac told him to keep his legacy alive. Kendrick Lamar has tried to do so especially with his movement of Hiiipower which is sort of akin to Tupac's Thug Life. Kendrick Lamar has the potential of being one of the next great emcees in the game. Look out for him and check out Section.80 and all his mixtapes

My Views on the "Illuminati"

In recent years I have heard tons of people talk about the "Illuminati". I have seen people quote and send links to Youtube videos, conspiracy blogs, and a whole bunch of unreliable information. Most of the information I have heard hasnt been real information just lies and slander. I have heard that everyone from Jay-Z to President Obama is in the illuminati. So lets start on actual facts. The real Illuminati was started in Bavaria in 1776. It was started as an organization of free-thinkers. Their organization pretty much believed in a society free from religion and the other things that seem to deceive and use people. Thats it. Nothing more nothing less. A group of secularists. Somehow the illuminati has been interpreted as some kind of superhuman group of Satanists that control the world. I have heard some pretty ridiculous theories. When people tell me some new illuminati theory I usually laugh at the ignorance I just heard. I am a social studies education major. History, Philosophy, Psychology and other areas of Social Sciences are my life. Because I have studied this so much I have come to understand one key point: When the human mind doesnt understand something it will develop its own conclusion. They say its either luck or magic. Its either God or the Devil. Life is more complex with that. My main problem with Illuminati conspiracy theories is the fact that it leads to mistrust and confusion. I am all for not trusting people but my mistrust is based on fact. At the heart of things, I am a free thinker. I dont allow things blind my views. I dont believe in religion and I'm not easily fooled. I dont think there is some organization controlling the world. The only thing that controls the world is money and misinformation. Both are examples of the only thing humans care about POWER. Power in any amount is part of humanity's nature. More to come stay tuned

Album Review: Lil Wayne's Tha Carter IV

Well Tha Carter IV is legally out now. I've had it for a week like alot of people. My verdict: major disappointment. Tha Carter IV just seems to be lacking something. I think its the hunger that was on the first 3 Carters. Lil' Wayne had something to prove on those albums. He was competing for the title "Best Rapper Alive". He wanted to prove a kid from the South could be considered the best rapper to everyone, their moms, and even the President. Lil' Wayne was a beast at one time and what this album proves is he is in a slump. Tha Carter IV does have decent songs tho. "Intro", "Nightmares from the Bottom", "Interlude"(Tech N9ne kills and so does 3 Stacks), "Its Good"(Weezy's diss at Jay-Z is actually pretty good) and "Outro"(Nas and Busta kill it) are good songs. But he is missing the hunger. None of these tracks are better than any song on any of the Carters. I am a Lil' Wayne fan but he's been tripping lately. He's not focused. He's erratic. He's inconsistent. (Which is weird because I thought he was sober. If so he needs to start smoking and sippin again). But he needs to get hungry again. His legacy could easily fall. Until he gets hungry and passionate I'm gonna chill and not listen. Rating 2.5/5

Free Album: Blu's No York

Okay so today got even crazier. Yeah that Earthquake was crazy but Blu dropping a free album is just as crazy. Alot of you have probably never heard of Blu but you should. Blu is one of the better rappers to come out in the last few years. Some of you may remember him from the XXL Freshmen Class of '09(probably the best list so far. It featured B.o.B., Wale, KiD CuDi, Curren$y, Ace Hood, Asher Roth, and Cory Gunz). Blu's mixtape, "Below the Heavens" was literally one of the best mixtapes I've ever heard. Blu is a conscious rapper meaning he will probably never be a commercial success. Which is cool to me. The love of music over money is a noble act. Anyway here is the link. Enjoy

Blu's No York
http://hulkshare.com/ijh47qgufxzf

Mixtape: Curren$y and DJ Drama's Verde Terrace

The past two weeks in Hip-Hop have been crazy. A series of new releases wouldn't be complete without a release from Spitta. Curren$y is probably my favorite rapper at the moment. His flow is crazy and he's always coming out with new free music. For this mixtape, Curren$y hooks up with DJ Drama. I haven't listened to it yet but I'm sure Spitta is going in. Below is a link to download this off Dat Piff. If you don't have a datpiff account you can still download it for free. Enjoy

Curren$y's Verde Terrace
http://www.datpiff.com/pop-mixtape-download.php?id=m71c4c4c

Snoop Dogg Interviews Kendrick Lamar

The legendary Snoop Dogg interviews up and coming Compton MC Kendrick Lamar for his GGN network series on Youtube. At the end of the video Kendrick Lamar performs and shows off his amazing ability. Its good to see a new generation of real West Coast Emcees. #californialove #peace

A Brief Discussion on Fashion

The picture above is a picture of me wearing a Bethune-Cookman Deadstock Snapback. This picture is from 3 years ago. I bought that hat about 4 years ago. Yep 4 years ago. When most of you were trying to get your fitted game up, I was getting my snapback game up. Snapbacks as you know are everywhere now. Every store is also starting to sell snapbacks to cash in on the fad. Most of my snapbacks are deadstock. Deadstock means that the hats are vintage and aren't currently being made. Its funny to me that deadstock snapbacks were alot easier to find when I started wearing them than they are now. This brings me to an important fact about fashion: fashion is not about spending alot of money. I have alot of snapbacks and all of them cost under $22. All the deadstock ones cost under $15. Being a stylish person is never about how much the clothes cost, its about SWAG. Style is about individuality. Alot of the styles which are called hipster or mainstream now have been part of my clothing for a while. The slim jeans, slim tees, Vans, and Chucks have been in my wardrobe since 8th-9th grade. I was inspired to wear this because the music I listened to at that time Alternative rock. Also I hung out with a lot of people that would later be defined as hipsters. So almost 10 years ago I was a hipster at a time in which a lot of black kids were wearing baggy jeans, forces, and all that other stuff. I dressed that way because that's what I liked. I've never been someone to dress like everyone else because I learned I wasn't like anyone else I had ever met. Although I was ostracized by the black community at that time I learned to not give a f***. That is what swag is all about. So for the rest of my life my jeans will always be my actual size, I will wear rock/rap t-shirts, I will rock Snapbacks, along with my Vans, Chucks, and Jordans. Peace

Complex Soundboard: Ari Gold

Entourage is one of my favorite shows ever and Complex is my favorite website. So its only right that I include this soundboard of classic Ari Gold quotes

Mixtape: Big K.R.I.T.'s Last King 2 (God's Machine)

Big K.R.I.T. is one of my favorite new school rappers. Although I'm from the South(Alabama/Mississippi stand up) I for the most part don't like a lot of new school southern rappers. To me it seems most new southern rappers are too gimmicky. They seem to aim not for longevity but for 1 hit. KRIT isnt like that. He is country but he's more than that. KRIT seems to be that dude from the hood that loves the hood, but is aware of the world around him. Along with rapping, he produces his own stuff and holds it down for a state without many big name rappers(besides David Banner). Anyway, KRIT returns with this mixtape after his previous mixtape, "Return of 4eva". KRIT has the momentum to become the next leader of Southern Rap. Below is a link to his new mixtape, "Last King 2(God's Machine)". Enjoy

Big K.R.I.T.'s Last King 2(God's Machine)
http://hulkshare.com/8vbza3xbe98m

New Mixtape: The Weeknd's Thursday

I'm sure most of you have heard of The Weeknd. If you haven't that is not the name of a band. The Weeknd is a 21 year old Canadian singer. The Weeknd has developed a huge following since he released his mixtape "House of Balloons" was released earlier this year in March. The singer also received a big co-sign from fellow Canadian artist, Drake(who is featured on the song "The Zone"). The Weeknd mixes R&B with several genres including dub-step which gives him a very unique sound. The Weeknd returns with his mixtape, "Thursday" which I'm sure will add to his already growing buzz. Below is a link to this mixtape and his first mixtape "House of Balloons". Happy Listening


The Weeknd's Thursday
http://www.hulkshare.com/mo4lner5w3nj

The Weeknd's House of Balloons
http://www.the-weeknd.com/TheWeeknd_HouseOfBalloons.zip

New Mixtape: Wale's Eleven One Eleven Theory

This week school started for kids all over the country. As for me, college began for the 5th time in a row. To help keep my mind off of this tragic continuous event I vacationed in new music. Wale dropped a new mixtape this Wednesday. Although I was a skeptic of Wale joining Rick Ross' MMG, he has remained relatively the same rapper. On this mixtape "Eleven One Eleven Theory" Wale raps with the same energy he had before his signing with MMG. He is still brilliant and thought provoking(especially on tracks like Varsity Blues and Ambitious Girl pt. 2). He still has a flow that is infectious and different at the same time( best shown on Chain Music). But last but not least he can make a club banger( "Lacefrontin" & "Bait"). Wale seems to have a bright future ahead of him. The most important lesson learned from this mixtape is never under-estimate the ability of Mr Folarin. Enjoy

Wale's Eleven One Eleven Theory
http://hulkshare.com/ajoipgxf1on3

Photo: Louis Armstrong

I saw this picture on Tumblr. Since I've seen it, I've been obsessed with it. To me this photograph represents alot. Among other things it is a picture of one of the greatest artist of all time, Louis Armstrong. Jazz is one of the greatest American creations, so seeing one of the biggest jazz musicians amongst the pyramids and the Sphinx is amazing. The pyramids represent the power of those who built them, africans. So the picture seems to represent the power of ancient Africans and African Americans. This of course is just my interpretation of it.

Forbes' Hip-Hop Cash Kings list for 2011

It goes without saying that money is a very important topic in Hip-Hop. Forbes Magazine annually releases a list of the top earners in Hip-Hop. The top spot of the list this year belongs to, no surprise Jay-Z. On Niggas in Paris, Hov says, "I'm planking on a million". Jay-Z is only being modest with that figure he's planking on $37 Million last year alone. "That sh** cra". for the rest of the list take a look below


Cash Kings 2011: Hip-Hop’s Top 20 Earners

1. Jay-Z: $37 million

2. Diddy: $35 million

3. Kanye West: $16 million

4. Lil Wayne (tie): $15 million

4. Birdman (tie): $15 million

6. Eminem (tie): $14 million

6. Dr. Dre (tie): $14 million

6. Snoop Dogg (tie): $14 million

9. Akon: $13 million

10. Ludacris: $12 million

11. Wiz Khalifa (tie): $11 million

11. Drake (tie): $11 million

13. Pharrell Williams: $10 million

14. Timbaland: $7 million

15. Swizz Beatz (tie): $6.5 million

15. Nicki Minaj (tie): $6.5 million

17. Rick Ross (tie): $6 million

17. 50 Cent (tie): $6 million

17. Pitbull (tie): $6 million

20. T-Pain (tie): $5 million

20. B.o.B (tie): $5 million

Album Review: The Throne's "Watch the Throne"

Watch the Throne was released this morning at 12am(11pm where I live). So the question is "how is it?" My answer: Sick AF. The album is as epic as it was advertised. Some things became clear to me as I listened to this album: 1. Jay-Z is the greatest of all time hands down 2. Kanye is officially the best producer/rapper ever. 3. Frank Ocean is about to rule the world. He has 3 amazing co-signs in 1 year. Watch the Throne pushes rap's borders so far ahead it shouldnt be understated. This album has the best of every Kanye & Jay-Z album in it. It has the honesty of College Dropout and Reasonable Doubt. It has the sound of Late Registration and MBDTF. It has Jay-Z spitting hard as he did on the Black Album. And it has the innovation of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The chemistry between Jay-Z and Kanye is dynamic. On some song Jay-Z takes the lead and on others Ye takes it. The production of this album is amazing. Swizz Beats, RZA, S1, and of course Kanye make the album sound untouchable but approachable. The subject matter of the album of course consisted of the bragging of two really rich men, but it also was personal. Race, class, family, philosophy, and religion were important topics in both Kanye and Jay-Z's rhymes. I really like this whole album but my favorite tracks are: No Church in the Wild, Niggas in Paris, Otis, New Day, Who Gon Stop Me, Murder to Excellence(amazing), and Why I Love You. Although the album is not perfect it is still very amazing. Ye & Hov could have disappointed but they rose to the occasion and they might have officially killed CDs forever. All together I give it a 4.5/5

almost here

How Watch the Throne has already changed music...

Watch the Throne is shaping up to be one of the most epic releases in the last few years. The idea that Jay-Z(the greatest rapper of all time, yeah I said it) and Kanye(who is one of the greatest artists ever) made an album together is something amazing all together. Another interesting thing about this is they actually made this album together. That is something to not be thrown aside in these times of emailed in lines and beats. Watch the Throne seems to have that old fashion work ethic. The most talked about thing concerning this album is the fact that it has leaked yet. As of now it is Thursday Aug. 4(Pres. Obama's 50th bday and Splifted Research's 3rd birthday) and the album has not leaked. As a person who has downloaded music since he was younger(illegally) I am surprised. Usually an album will leak within in 1-2 weeks before the album release. Jay-Z's management has also said the album "won't leak". To be able to say that in 2011 is Amazing and something to not be understated. The Throne(Jay-Z & Kanye) has also decided to release their album digitally first on iTunes then retail stores a couple of days later. This has caused a stir with alot of stores but will ultimately not hurt the sales of the album. With all these factors it is clear that The Throne is about to change Rap and maybe music all together. When the album comes out I'll put up a review. But until then....Peace

My Favorite Songs from this Summer

Ok its been a lot of music this summer. These Songs are essentially part of my summer playlist and were my favorite songs this summer.

1. Yonkers- Tyler, the Creator
2. Hustle Hard Remix- Ace Hood ft. Rick Ross & Lil' Wayne
3. I'm On One- Dj Khaled ft. Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, and Drake
4. Donald Trump- Mac Miller
5. Otis- Kanye West & Jay-Z(The Throne)
6. Trouble on My Mind-Pusha T feat Tyler, the Creator
7. 600 Benz- Wale, Rick Ross, Jadakiss
8. Beautiful People- Chris Brown
9. Celebrity- Big Sean ft. Dwele
10. Get Right- Big K.R.I.T
11. Hol' Up- Kendrick Lamar
12. #jetsgo- Curren$y
13. Flowers- Wiz Khalifa, Curren$y, Big Sean
14. Novacane- Frank Ocean
15. Party- Beyonce ft. Andre 3000 & Kanye West

Splifted Back

Well its been a while since I've been on here. To be honest for a while I thought about never writing again. But I missed it. Its the end of the summer and almost the 3 year anniversary of this blog. This summer has been kinda crazy enjoying the last few days of freedom I will have as a college student. This summer has also had some great music. From Maybach Music's Self Made, the continued development of Odd Future, and the anticipation of Kanye & Jay-Z(The Throne)'s Watch the Throne. But yeah I'm back like Tupac, Reeboks, Snapbacks, and Herpes. lol peace

What I'm Listening to: Curren$y

First of I'm back. lol Now that I have that out of the way I have been listening to a lot of Curren$y in the past 2 months. I have known about Curren$y since high school and I sparingly listened to his music. I kind of fell off his bandwagon a couple of years ago but over the last few months I have become a huge fan. The first step towards me becoming a Curren$y fan again was Pilot Talk which dropped in the Summer of Last Year. Then, Curren$y dropped Pilot Talk II which built on the intrigue of the first Pilot Talk. Curren$y has developed one of the most unique and amazing flows in recent years. He is often lumped together with Wiz Khalifa but Curren$y is alot better emcee than Wiz. Curren$y's flow is a never ending barrage of thoughts, analogies, and metaphors. His obsession with marijuana, cars, and jets turns off a few people on the surface but his lyrics seem to be more than just the brags of a young rapper. Curren$y unlike alot of rappers seems to have found his niche. He doesnt try to be a hardcore rapper and he doesnt try to be a hipster or any other label people without taste in good music would use. I'm excited to see Curren$y's future in rap. I also encourage everyone to listen to his music especially Pilot Talk I&II. Happy Listening....