StuntinonProse

Guilty Pleasures

2008-02-28T15:07:00.001-08:00

A SOP Special Report

co-wrote by: Hugh and J. Burnett

Hugh: I am not a hip-hop elitist nor have I ever claimed to be, but I am guilty of looking down on certain artists/styles of music because they did not display the skill and technique encompassed in the most critically-lauded rap albums. But ironically the music that I found myself criticizing was the same stuff that I listened to growing up. 90% of the rap albums I purchased in the 90’s were executive produced by Master P. So what has happened over the last 8 years that has made me appreciate what many consider “real hip-hop” and convinced me to shun the music that I grew up on? To be honest, I really don’t know. Sure I’ve matured and the rap I’ve become fond of is more intellectually stimulating at times but is that just cause to discriminate against other artists that don’t fit that mold? No.

Recently I’ve found myself listening to (and enjoying) albums from these same artists that a few months ago I would argue shouldn’t even be allowed to record and release music. Gucci Mane, Young Jeezy, Shawty Lo, Young (or is it Yung?) Dro, Boosie, Webbie, Rick Ross, etc. are artists that I feel often catch flack because they don’t lyrically measure up to some of the accomplished rappers of past and present day (Jay, Nas, B.I.G., Common, Rakim, Wu…). While this may be true, what else do these despised artists have in common? If you are familiar with them and have a U.S. map nearby, you’ll notice that they are all from states sitting below the Mason-Dixie line. Coincidence???

One thing you can’t deny is these dudes know how to make hit records. Between the catchy hooks, banging beats and hilarious ad-libs (my favorite), the entertainment value is through the roof. And at the end of the day isn’t that what music is? Does it always have to be serious? I often like to draw comparisons between music and movies. What if I was to look down on Will Ferrell or Jennifer Aniston because their films don’t show the same depth as those by DeNiro or Cate Blanchett? That’s not right. So why is it acceptable to dismiss the latest effort by Jeezy because he can’t hang with Nas lyrically? None of these artists have ever claimed to be the best in the game. They simply make music that represents who they are. Take it for what it is and you might hear something you actually like. What you think J. Burnett?

J. Burnett: I totally agree. I too am a closet purveyor of Southern rap and not just the Cunninglynguists, Little Brother, Strange Fruit type acts but stuff like 3-6, Webbie, Trill Ent., Gucci Mane, Plies (as most of you found out), Shawty Lo, Trick Daddy, Jeezy and plenty others who many would consider to be ig’nant coons. I found myself in the last couple days pondering the same question as Hugh. Can I be a fan of true Hip Hop and still like a Jeezy, a Plies or Rick Ross and I think the answer is yeah, why not???

In case you haven’t ever been on MySpace or outside there’s millions of rappers. Some are great some are boo boo but you have to respect that whoever it is grinded their way into some sort of success. You don’t just luck up and get a contract. If that was the case I’d be rapping now getting all sorts of groupie love. Someone has to see something in you to invest millions of dollar into you. Despite what many believe, there’s no set formula to a hit and when someone makes more then one hit that deserves applause. And if you think there is a formula check out Jeffery Atkins’ case file and/or numbers for his recent album. Did it even drop???

You also have to think about why you’re listening. I don’t take the same ears that I listen to Jay Electronica as I do to listen to Gucci Mane. That’s just stoopid. Piggy-backing off of what Hugh said earlier, if you got two boxers who cares if one knocks cats out with a sloppy haymaker or if the other outclasses his foes with technical prowess. The end result is the W and if you’re listening to rap to be entertained it’s pretty much the same thing.

Chime in at any time jabronis

Shawty Lo Units in the City Review

2008-02-28T15:06:00.001-08:00

Don’t front, D4L’s Shawty Lo banged out a hit with “Dey Know.” The Mandrill-sampled “Dey Know” picks up where “I’m Da Man” left off with Lo boastfully proclaiming his mayoral status in the A and in general…pretty straight-forward right? Lo’s ability to simply and charismatically phrase how he feels over trunk-slapping beats is what’s scored him a following despite the obvious lack of lyricism. Lo’s debut Units in the City continues the trend with anthemic, chorus-driven trunk rattlers.

I honestly thought I’d be buried by and bored with dope boy-isms mid-way through but Shawty Lo shows some alternative looks on Units. On the reflective “Feels Good to Be Here” and the semi-autobiographical “Live My Life,” featuring Kool Ace, Lo is portrayed as thankful and socially-conscious, respectively (“why things gotta be the way they be? /I thought Abe Lincoln said we was free/from the things I’ve seen that cannot be/in the courtroom they’ll railroad me/the laws of justice are colorblind?/then why my partners got all this time?”). Then there’s the quasi-romantic “Count on Me” where making it rain takes on a different meaning if you get my drift. Slightly singing and rhyming in the drawled out whisper that’s signature to Lo, he muses about lavish shopping sprees with a lady friend. But Lo is at his best on celebratory trap-boy records like “GA Lotto” where Lo boasts of holding small faced hundreds from the early 90s and rehashes a crowd favorite with the line “the last time I checked I’m the man in these streets/they know I’m Lo/I’m C-E-O.” Similarly, “Foolish” brags about spending dope money recklessly ("$7,000 on a clean white tee") over the blaring horns provided by Drumma Boy. Disappointingly “Foolish” produces another “I’m Lo/I’m C-E-O” moment but slides by on a catchy chorus. “Dunn, Dunn” proves to be something like “I’m Da Man” part II and proves to be just as good. Crashing cymbals are the backsplash for this ode to Bankhead (a segment of inner city Atlanta) that has Lo taking slick jab to an unnamed Atlantan who also claims Westside Atlanta too. The album concludes with an anti-climactic D4L reunion on “We Gon Ride,” a response to those who thought D4L had broken up.

Don’t get it twisted. Units in the City is hardly lyrical exercise, but it’s damn good at what it sets out to do. The formula is simple: 808-heavy-tracks plus good hooks and dope-infused rhymes. Said formula is virtually perfected at different points of the album ("Easily I Approach"). What can be appreciated about Lo’s approach on Units is that its %100 him. It’s not diluted generic raps over the producer du jour spawned for the purpose of sales. He used mostly local and in-house producers and cooked up a good product. What sucks about the album is weak lyrical moments like “twinkle, twinkle I’m a stiz-ar/peep the iz-ice and the ki-zar.” If you’re looking for something you can get crunk to, ride to et cetera I strongly recommend Units in the City. If you’re looking for life lessons…this ain’t it.

Kidz in the Hall Making of Sweet 16

2008-02-28T15:05:00.000-08:00

Kidz in the Hall Sweet 16

2008-02-28T15:04:00.001-08:00

Track the Kidz recorded specially for King Magazine...making of vid coming soon

Kidz in the Hall Sweet 16

Re-Up X OnSmash

2008-02-28T15:03:00.001-08:00

MacBook Air Computer Love

2008-02-28T15:02:00.000-08:00

They Know Mandrill "Children of the Sun"

2008-02-28T15:01:00.002-08:00

The Illest M. Jack Mixtape Evar

2008-02-28T15:01:00.001-08:00

DJ Jaycee Michael Jackson The Soulful Years

tracklist below

Intro

Sugar Daddy

ABC (Jaycee´s 1986 Ultrasound Mix)

It´s great to be here

Jaycee wants you back

My Girl

I wanna be where you are

Dancing Machine

Dance in peace Dilla (Detroit Style)

Mama´s Pearl

The Boogie Man (Interlude)

Can you remember

Ready or not (Here i come)

Never can say goodbye

If i don´t love you this way

I´ll be there

My cherie amour

I don´t know why i love you

Born to love you

Don´t say goodbye again

The love you save

All i do is think of you

I am love (feat. Jermaine)

Call on me

Ain´t no Sunshine

Dear Michael

Everybody´s somebody´s fool

Got to be there

Maybee tomorrow

La la la (means i love you)

People make the world go round

With a child´s heart

What up Khrysis?

2-4-6-8

Ain´t nothing like the real thing

If i have to move a mountain

Random

2008-02-28T15:00:00.001-08:00

...found on Skateboard P's blog

Jay-Z I Know Video

2008-02-28T14:59:00.001-08:00

World Meet the Camp

2008-02-28T14:58:00.001-08:00

Just found out about Bean Town collective, The Camp (Dese, Grime the MC, Excetera, DJ Hevan). I got an email with their new track "Little Story" featuring Slaine attached. To this point I hadn't heard any of their shit so I approached it open-minded and my thoughts were: it's raunchy, kinda funny (dark humor though) and the story-telling was crisp. But it's a track about catchin' the clap so yea that was kind of ~~weird~~ different...But I checked out more of their work and it sounded damn good; definitely worth checkin' out. I must admit I turned a blind eye to the Bean Town after Benzino's tomfoolery but how could I forget this is the same place that brought the likes of bald head slick. Silly me. Anywho, here's a few tracks including "Little Story." Let me know what y'all think. Their album, The Campaign, drops April 1st.

For audio and downloads click here

What the Hell???

2008-02-28T14:56:00.000-08:00

Beyonce as Etta James...I really hope this is prevaricated. Lord, please don't allow this to happen. This can't be real. As if Puff Daddy taking up a role that was perfected by Sidney Poitier wasn't enough. Someone has to stop this from happening.

Farewell Omar

2008-02-28T14:54:00.002-08:00

We'll never understand how you lost your limp in your dying moments

Estelle American Boy ft. Kanye West

2008-02-28T14:54:00.001-08:00

Hip Hop, We're Really Going to Run With This Electronic Thing Eh?

2008-02-28T14:51:00.002-08:00

Above is Hot Dollar of Streets on Lock fame and brother of Guerrila Black. Random. I was researchin' Toomp actually which led me to Wiki and Jeezy's first album, Thug Motivation. For some reason I mixed up Toomp and Shawty Redd in a convo I was having. But out of curiosity I clicked on Shawty Redd's page to see what else he had done which lead me to Hot Dollar who made Streets on Lock, a track I dug. So...that left me wondering "hmmm what's been up with Hot Dollar lately?" and I found the two tracks below, "upside down" and "get naked"...Cats are really going in with Auto Tune and the vocoder. Is Hip Hop really going to go all electronica and shit??? Let me know what yall think...

Check out the audio here

Corporate Politics

2008-02-28T14:51:00.001-08:00

I have some of the most random convos at work. If you've ever found yourself wondering "hmm, I wonder what J. Burnett thinks about when he's not blogging" then here's a dandy sampling...Check it out after the jump

Jay5735: this real life thing is something else

SpaceBarz: who are u telling

Jay5735: it's a constant grind

Jay5735: not the cool grindin like the clipse or tony hawk

Jay5735: it's more like rubbin ur scrotes against a grater daily

SpaceBarz: yeah

SpaceBarz: there has to be an alternative to this scrapping for pennies lifestyle

SpaceBarz: I need to surround myself with wealthy people so I can learn the secrets of the trade

Jay5735: slinging big birds

SpaceBarz: drug dealers are lazy man

Jay5735: thats why they need hard workers like us

Jay5735: sell dope for videogames

Jay5735: no one would ever expect it

Jay5735: we'd just be at the crib playing xbox 720s

Jay5735: no one would be the wiser

SpaceBarz: man

SpaceBarz: the perfect life would be

SpaceBarz: an xbox

SpaceBarz: a projector or HD TV

SpaceBarz: a crib

SpaceBarz: on the beach

SpaceBarz: with a fully stocked bar

SpaceBarz: and strippers in the crib

SpaceBarz: dancing on poles

SpaceBarz: cleaning up my garbage

Jay5735: lol

SpaceBarz: yeah

Jay5735: there has to be a way to have strippers at your house 24/7

SpaceBarz: I can see it now

SpaceBarz: yeah

SpaceBarz: be a pimp

SpaceBarz: or live at body tap

SpaceBarz: or be a rapper

Jay5735: hmmm...i could see one of those moves workn out for me

SpaceBarz: living at body tap

Jay5735: nah being a pimp

SpaceBarz: oh

SpaceBarz: well

SpaceBarz: you gotta have a strong pimp hand

Jay5735: yea i dont have that

Jay5735: chicks just respect and admire me

SpaceBarz: not hoes

Jay5735: they're not scared of me though

SpaceBarz: you gotta break a hoe in

SpaceBarz: like a pair of church shoes

Jay5735: lol

Jay5735: that's a great line

SpaceBarz: its true man

SpaceBarz: thats too much work

Jay5735: but you can break a hoe w/one good slap

SpaceBarz: and some church shoes slip right on too

SpaceBarz: and others aren't ever comfortable

SpaceBarz: its varies man

Jay5735: tis true

SpaceBarz: all this analogical pimp talk has my brain going

Jay5735: i'm tryin to figure out how i can turn this into a blog

Jay5735: what image would best summarize this convo

SpaceBarz: hmm

SpaceBarz: Got any pictures of strippers cleaning up garbage???

SpaceBarz: if not, I'd say use the cover of The Mack

Jay5735: that's what i was thinkin

SpaceBarz: Cool

The Most Intelligent Rapper: Cadence Weapon

2008-02-25T11:36:00.000-08:00

SOP Special Report

Words by Hugh

While reading the Jan/Feb issue of my favorite magazine, URB, I came across a page and a half section of record reviews. Being the sucker for album critiques that I am, I immediately ran my fingers over the artist names and album titles to see if there was anything I had already heard. After scanning the first page, not only had I not heard any of these albums, I hadn’t even HEARD OF them. Finally my eyes met a familiar title in that of The Cool by one Walasu Muhammad Jaco, more popularly known as Lupe Fiasco. After reading the subheading for the review: “Self-Indulging Record” and seeing the shocking 2.5/5.0 rating that the album was given, I began to question URB’s music reviewing credibility (word to The Source). But after reading the review, it made some valid points that I couldn’t be mad at. But that’s a completely different discussion as I digress…

My reason for mentioning Lupe was the irony of the subtitle of the review that filled the column to the left of The Cool’s critique. “The Most Intelligent Rapper” was the line used to describe Canadian rapper Rollie Pemberton, who goes by the stage alias Cadence Weapon. My first thought was “Wow! What a dope name,” and then to call this guy the most intelligent rapper on the same page with Lupe Fiasco? That’s saying a lot. So after reading the brief, but positive review (3.5/5.0) about his sophomore album, Afterparty Babies, I scurried to the internet to do my research. After getting my hands on an advance copy of his new album (which drops officially next month), I was completely confused with what I was hearing. I was expecting something along the lines of Lupe or Nas and what I got was well...Cadence Weapon. When you listen to this guy you have to go into it with no expectations or preconceptions (if that’s possible) because his material is completely left-field. First off, Cadence’s delivery is hella unorthodox. This is no secret to him, as he raps on the opening track of his album: “…with an off-beat delivery and an awkward obscenity…” And if you can get past that Cadence will raise the other eyebrow with his unique production (he does his own beats). The sounds found on his album are a melting pot of genres that cover hip-hop, rock, pop and even techno. I must admit after the first time through, I was ready to write this guy off, but his humorous, clever lyrics were what drew me back for a second listen. Cadence spits several slick lines throughout the disc like:

“And to the jerk that said words don’t hurt, talk to me for a change/ I’ll treat you like Pac in a range”

or

“…I heard homegirl does the head bobble/for any John in the district, city or county/I sop up the goods like Bounty/like I, heard she got on his head like a bounty…”

Cadence keeps you laughing and listening with his clever and cynical lyricism. He actually reminds me a little of a guy J. Burnett mentioned recently, Danny Swain. If you’re open to something different from the norm, check out Cadence Weapon and let us know what you think.

Click here for the audio

Writing Letters to Riker's Island

2008-02-25T08:26:00.000-08:00

ItsTheReal

Gone But Not Forgetten

2008-02-25T08:25:00.000-08:00

At the height of Yola's popularity, success, etc. homie got shot in the face. It wasn't none of that Uncle Murda ish. These slugs almost sent Yola home but he recovered. I'm looking forward to hearing more from DG Yola. I really dug that track, Ain't Gonna Let Up. And the streets are still itchin' for that Gutta World my boy. Anyways, here's a few tracks I scooped from Yola's MySpace

PS If you're Yola's publicist and you're reading this holla at me, thanks...

For the audio, click here

Emo Lo

2008-02-25T08:23:00.000-08:00

Say what you want about D4L's Shawty Lo but the below track, "Live My Life," is kinda live. I mean it's a waaaay different look than "Dey Know" and "Dunn Dunn" which are both pretty awesome in their own right. Regardless, I dig this track and for the record/nonbelievers/haters and others who wonder I've heard Units in the City and it's pretty damn good. Fabo you've been dethrowned as solo artist most likely to succeed out of the Down 4 Life camp. Sorry.

Let me know what yall think...

For the audio, click here

Mash Ups On Me

2008-02-25T08:20:00.001-08:00

I didn't check these out their first time around. I figured I'd check em' out. You may have em'. You may not

For download link, click here

For download link, click here

Plies Bust It Baby Casting Call

2008-02-25T08:19:00.001-08:00

Can we be set back any further???

Shit's Kinda Crazy

2008-02-25T08:16:00.000-08:00

His name is Boon Doc and he’s from Denver, CO

Find out more on his MySpace

Mickey Factz Up High

2008-02-25T08:14:00.000-08:00

Mickey Factz is leaking one brand spankin' new song per week and this is week 8. Catch up already. Let me know what yall think of Factz.

For the audio, click here

Read Closely

2008-02-22T09:28:00.001-08:00

Does anyone see what I see? Only a select few will be able to appreciate this...

"I got 5 on my feet/40 on my neck/20 on my wrist/10 on my pinky...that's the right pinky/but the left pinky get me freaky, freaky girls like Pinky

For the audio hit up StuntinOnProseDotCom

Somebody's Gonna Feel Me For This

2008-02-22T09:27:00.003-08:00

Immortal Technique Tell the Truth

2008-02-22T09:27:00.001-08:00

Drive Bys Volume 1: Mos Def

2008-02-22T09:26:00.002-08:00

Mos Def Ghetto Rock

2008-02-22T09:26:00.001-08:00

Lil Wil My Dougie

2008-02-22T09:25:00.002-08:00

Jadakiss Welcome to the Roc Freestyle

2008-02-22T09:25:00.001-08:00

Lord Have Mercy!!!

2008-02-22T09:24:00.005-08:00

More info HypeBeast/Streething

Note: Good thing I don't have that Stimulus check in my pocket or it would be a Reynolds...

Lloyd Banks Statue of Liberty

2008-02-22T09:24:00.003-08:00

Lloyd Banks Statue of Liberty

Lloyd Banks Statue of Liberty

2008-02-22T09:24:00.001-08:00

Lloyd Banks Statue of Liberty

DJ Drama + B.G. Hood Generals

2008-02-22T09:23:00.001-08:00

DJ Drama + B.G. Hood Generals

It's All About the Benjamins

2008-02-22T09:22:00.001-08:00

According to Politico, Hillary's in debt. Read the story here while Obama is has bucks to throw around. I think the implications are pretty obvious.

B.o.B. x LRG x URB x Mick Boogie

2008-02-22T09:20:00.000-08:00

My Name is B.o.B.

courtesy of MickBoogie

The Ambassador x Wale (Wale Interview)

2008-02-22T09:19:00.002-08:00

Check out my homie Ms. Bassa choppin' it up with Wale right chea and get the preview of his vid right chea. Holla

The Questions

2008-02-22T09:19:00.001-08:00

How does Rick Ross manage to receive so much press coverage on the net (I'm lookin' at you Fader)?

Where's Ludacris (I hope this isn't what the hibernation was for)?

Can the G-Unit resurge?

How's Prodigy not in jail yet...I mean not that I'd wish jail on anyone...

Will they ever leave Kellz alone?

It's Like He's Walking On Air

2008-02-22T09:11:00.001-08:00

Leaked...Check Your Connects

2008-02-21T08:48:00.001-08:00

Jay Electronica + Urb

2008-02-21T08:47:00.001-08:00

Halle Berry on Barack Obama

2008-02-21T08:46:00.001-08:00

"I'll do whatever he says to do," actress Halle Berry said to the Philadelphia Daily News. "I'll collect paper cups off the ground to make his pathway clear."

My response: Word...hmmm. (Considers entering into politics then thinks about what happened to the Hip Hop mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick and decides against it. Then thinks but yo, it's Halle Berry (lays head down and ponders the possibilities)).

Bucket Low Fuck It Tho

2008-02-21T08:44:00.000-08:00

Not really a big fan of bucket hats. They kind of have that middle age old white pervert in an Astro Van appeal to them but this one is kind of hot. I found it on the Ice Cream blog here. I don't know about that $195 price tag though. Thoughts???

M.I.A. Paper Planes (Remix)

2008-02-21T08:43:00.000-08:00

Tracks off of the Paper Planes Homeland Security Remixes EP (the DFA and RemixAdrock's Remix for the Children, respectively)

Audio here

Super Pwned!!!

2008-02-21T08:42:00.001-08:00

Devin the Dude Makin it Hard

2008-02-20T12:18:00.000-08:00

courtesy of OnSmash

Audio can be found here

Say Goodbye to the Bad Guy

2008-02-20T12:17:00.001-08:00

Fidel Castro steps down as Cuban leader

Love him or hate him, duke kept it gangster for decades...

The Streak Continues...

2008-02-20T12:16:00.000-08:00

Check out the delegates totals over at CNN. Although I don't think he'll reach the 2,025 needed to clinch the Dem nod I think by the time the convention comes the Democratic populace will have communicated that they're ready for change i.e. not Hillary. We're witnessing history and I'm proud to be apart of this...movement. The last movement (the Dipset) I was involved with didn't turn out so well.

Pay Homage to the Black Moses

2008-02-20T12:14:00.000-08:00

For the audio dedication click here

Where There's Smoke There's Weezy

2008-02-19T09:25:00.000-08:00

ItsTheReal

You Should Know: Danny!

2008-02-19T09:23:00.000-08:00

Meet Danny! He's a military brat from South Carolina. He's a rapper/producer/cynic hybrid. His names been circulating for a minute but I just became acquainted with him and his music. It's self-described as "A Tribe Called Quest on acid" or "EPMD on LSD." I'd prefer to just say it's dope; laid back beats, witty/humorous flow from a well-grounded perspective. Think HOJ-esque. At the age of 24, dudes already a vet (something like 7 albums including a best of) . He's retired and came back already, like seriously. Check out his music and let me know what yall think. Q&A coming soon...

More D. Swain @ dannyswain.com

For the audio head on over to StuntinOnProseDotCom

Blu A Whole Lot of Soul

2008-02-18T12:28:00.000-08:00

I think this has been floating around for a couple of weeks which makes it two years old in internet time but I don't operate by y'all rules.

Blu A Whole Lot of Soul Vol. I, Vol. 2

Tracklist

Volume 1

01-blu-soul_provider

02-jdilla-suninmyfacefeat.bluandjontel

03-exile-fly(songofliberation)ft._blu

04-johnson&jonson-theonlyway

05-blu-myworldis_still

06-blu-another_day

07-movemeant-gititnowft.bluandtrek_life

08-johnsonjonson-boutitboutit

09-bluandexile-partyoftwo

10-c.r.a.cknuckles-collectrespectannacheck

11-exile-tellyouft.bluandaloeblacc

12-bluandexile-lifesagambleft.donelsmokestreklifeandcashiusking

13-c.r.a.cknuckles-mrbig_fizz

14-exile-maintainft.bludonelsmokescassand_jontel

15-johnson&jonson-holdonjohn

Volume 2

01-johnson&jonson-get_high

02-blu-mars_(remix)

03-blu-spainish_winter

04-sene-dope(4goldropes)-(feat.blu)

05-c.r.a.cknuckles-lovedont

06-johnson&jonson-swear

07-blu-badnewsbarnes

08-blu-glass_o’wine-(instrumental)

09-blu-rockstpark

10-c.r.a.c_knuckles-go

11-blu&exile-pearlygatesremix

12-blu&exile-thoughts

13-johnson&jonson-outro

StuntinOnProseDotCom

Just In Case You Wondered

2008-02-18T12:21:00.000-08:00

G-Unit Return of the Body Snatchers >>>> Re-Up Gang We Got it 4 Cheap Vol. III

I know it's blasphemous but it's true. Sorry. Sickamore felt the same way.

StuntinOnProseDotCom

Never Be Deprived of SOP, Never!!!!

2008-02-18T12:00:00.000-08:00

It's come to my attention that every so often my site messes up for no reason whatsoever. I also realized this is the price one pays for getting what is *ahem* economical. Damn GoDaddy. So, I set a few more to ways to get to the site and its content. I'm simulcasting (is that really a technical term?) over a blogspot. So in case of emergency or my site getting all janky on you here's the proper procedures.

1. Go to: stuntinonprose.com

2. If that doesn't work, try: stuntingonprose.com (take note to the G)

3. If that doesn't work go to: stuntinonprose.blogspot.com

Straight Shots: The Night that Started it All

2008-02-18T10:58:00.001-08:00

SOP Special Report

I figure since I'm at home recovering from getting my wisdom teeth removed I'd rehash this story. Awhile ago I wrote this breaking down Jada's quote: "Start with straight shots and then pop bottles/flirt with the hoodrats and then pop models" and later I wrote part two but I never shared the night that started it all until now...

The night started off simple enough. I planned on meeting up with some of my fraternity brothers to celebrate our founder's day. We met at a taco spot and got wings and beer which is odd in itself (going to a taco spot to get wings but ok). We ate. We sipped. We joked. All of the cheerful backslapping and revelry that would be expected of a fraternity gathering--nothing out of the ordinary here. So as the night is concluding and the checks are being payed out one of my line brothers proposes that we got to Pin-Ups, a shall we say night establishment with shoe models in Decatur, GA. I tell him I'm broke. He says he got me and since it was Wednesday the table dances would be $5 along with the bottom shelf drinks. So I say fuck it, why not.

So we head over there. I walk in and dap up the doorman because he also happens to be in the frat. Remember that. The first thing we see besides the homely woman occupying the cash register is a 6'4" 250+ dark skinned man in a cheap 3 piece suit--think Steve Harvey-ish except lower tier. So he greets us and proceeds to telling us that the VIP is wide open. Given the fact I only had the $20 my line brother spotted me I figured that was not in the plans. So I get a drink or two or three, end up puffin' a black and mild and chillin'. My first mistake was I didn't have any sunglasses on. When strippers can see your eyes they know what you're thinking. So I get a few dances and the cats I was with did the same. Keep in mind it's a Wednesday. And it's already 12:15am. So the doorman I mentioned earlier his name is Tiny. No jokes necessary. He approaches us and asks about the VIP and if we wanted in.

I referred him to my partner and the turning point of the night comes here...My partner agrees to cop the bottle of Moet--mandatory for going VIP--and we end being shown the "private" rooms. So he's like you can either go in the private rooms or the area on the main floor that's roped off which was a no brainer. Why the fuck would we pay to be moved to a different part of the floor we were just on. So he tells us to go pick some chicks and we pick the most random, scarred up, gutter butts available just off the strength that we were rookies.

So back there's it's $10 per dance and we have 3 strippers. So we're drinking the sham-pania, they're drinking it and we're just kickin it. Then they start dancing. Of course, the typical ish that goes on in the private room goes on but as Mr. Rock says, there's no sex in the champagne room. 15 minutes go by. 30 minutes go by. An hour passes and I'm starting to do the numbers in my head. And I'm like yo we're fucked. I have no money left and barely anything in the checking account. So my partners go to the bathroom and the scrippers huddle up. This is an hour in. I'm like oh shit we're about to get hosed. And one comes up to me and says we're at $200 per person. And i'm like okay you know real nonchalantly. Like oh that's it. In my mind I was nervous as fuck and thinking about how I could jet out of the strip club without getting bodied. So my partners come back and I tell them how much we're at and for whatever reason we just allowed them to continue dancing until I was like yo we needs to bidounce now! So he's like how much? They're like 300 per and we're like whhaatttt. So we tell Tiny to come over. He does and the chick wants a dub per dance and Tiny's like nah, it's $10 so she comes down on her price to 2 yards per chick. At this point I'm totally panicking in my mind. So my man goes and gets the dust. 4 bills and gives it to 2 strippers. One says she's short 1 bill so the other stripper gives it to her. As soon as she gets her guap she's out...like gone, not on the floor, not in the backroom. She's gone or so they said. So my other guy brings back 2 more bills and the other one's like I'm short now I must have miscounted the money. And they're like we don't have anymore money. So she starts saying shit like yall better find it. So we just get up like okay and I presume we were gonna make a dash but like most strip clubs, there's only one way out and in and it's never a situation where you can just dip out without running into some deebo ass nigga. So they can't find this chick who apparently dipped with 3 bills while the other strippers had 2 bills and 1 bill respectively. And we're arguing back and forth with the chick and trying to find the one that went ghost. So we keep inching towards the door and right before any more money was bled and presumably before we got thumped, the bouncer who was our frat brother stepped in and said it's cool I'll talk to her. Y'all can go. So that's where my usage of the mantra emanated from. The idea that we should've stayed our broke asses on the main floor and drank bottom shelf rum and cokes as opposed to going to VIP and getting raped for the price of a cheap cash car.

Fin

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Flo Rida Elevator feat. Timbaland

2008-02-18T04:32:00.001-08:00

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Dirk = Owned

2008-02-18T04:31:00.000-08:00

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Prominent Civil Right Activist Passes

2008-02-17T08:19:00.000-08:00

Pictured above: Reverend James Orange (left) and Reverend Joseph Lowery. Photo courtesy of AJC.com

The Rev. James Orange, civil rights activist, dies at 65

brief bio

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Busta Rhymes Woo-Hah!!! (Remix) ft. ODB

2008-02-17T08:18:00.002-08:00

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Wiz Khalifa Say Yes Video

2008-02-17T08:13:00.000-08:00

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These Joints Are Fly

2008-02-17T08:12:00.001-08:00

full pic @ StuntinOnProseDotcom

I'm Calling Bullshit, Nas!!!

2008-02-17T08:11:00.001-08:00

Editor's Note: Yesterday I lost the last TWO WEEKS worth of posts. I'll spare y'all the details but I wanted re-post this and a few of the other recent drops I posted. My bad...

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a big Nas fan and if you don't know me take my word for it--I am. But when it comes down to keeping my reputation as a keep-it-realist and maintaining my admiration for a favorite artist of mine, I'd rather call a spade a spade. I think we're giving Nas too much credit. I think at this point it's safe to say he's talking out his ass and that there's no profound statement to be made by an album called Nigger. I've talked shit all my life and I'll be damned if I don't know when someone's pulling some shit out their ass and dis nigga here is blowin' hotter steam than glory hole

When Nas dropped Hip Hop is Dead I like many others believed Nas in his heart of heart believed it. Otherwise, why would he say it. There's the obvious tailwind of media coverage he received from it and of course the dialogue that came from it which also in itself ~~may have~~ generated some scans, but Nas using a market scheme to sell records??? I couldn't go for that--not the one-time child prodigy who made Illmatic. To me, Nas represents the essence of Hip Hop but after viewing this video I'm starting feel like I/we got plizaid. Also, lol @ the reporter skirting around saying nigger. That's right white girl. That's a no no, just kidding white constituent or am I??? Don't try that shit out with me though; no telling how a nigga would react. But, viewing the video when she asked him about the statement he wanted to make last year with HHID he said "that's been done. I appreciate the response I got from that but this is a whole new chapter. That train has left the station," hardly the response of someone who actually believed in the statement Hip Hop is Dead, right. I never thought I'd go use slickback as an example but I'd be damned when I/we would see the day that Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson when given the chance to speak on an issue they championed in the past blow it off like eh, that's over, whatever.

Then, whenever someone asks him to explain the concept he can barely put together a cohesive thought. I mean what's good Nas??? Anytime someone calls bullshit on it, it's like naw it's Nas. I know he's going to have some deep shit to say but when asked who the dude was voting for he couldn't even just feign throwing up the O. Bullshit!!! And if you watch the video to the end Kelis makes reference to John Lennon's track "Woman is the Nigger of the World" but if you watch this you'll see that the same message Nas is communicating (niggers = the ig'nant and/or disenfranchised people of the world) is seconded by the chap his wife bass acwardsly threw a dagger at. Are we saying, him and wifey aren't on the same page or does dude not even know what statement he's making anymore? I'm hoping that there's some deep shit on the album but shit's looking bleaker than a Fat Joe song that's likeable. What do yall think?

Next Nas album title: Hip Hop is God's Nigger.

Update: Nas speaks more on the album title on Jamie Foxx's show.

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Guilty Simpson Ode to the Ghetto

2008-02-17T08:09:00.000-08:00

Most mainstream rappers seem content peddling lies to the public. But there are artists out there who do keep it real like Detroit’s Guilty Simpson. Guilty was hand-picked by the late James Yancey at an open mic which is quite possibly the illest co-sign a rapper can get. After picking up a significant buzz bullying through Detroit’s packed underground circuit he signed on with the boutique label, Stones Throw. On his debut, Ode to the Ghetto he reports live from the streets of the D giving it to you straight with no chaser with raps that would make his mentor, J-Dilla, proud.

At no point is Guilty doing anything but doing him on Ode to the Ghetto—none of that fake shit going on here. Whereas it’s become commonplace for other artists to rap about nonsensical violence for the sake of violence (and to sell records), Guilt presents the mindset behind the stick-up kid’s acts. On “Robbery,” he rhymes “my loot’s like Dave Chappelle/funny as hell/money is frail/pockets on E/and a broke ass nigga I’m not gon’ be/that’s why I keep the glock on me” showing the poverty that drove him to “strong arm” fools. On the love tip he invites you to help him decide whether to stay or leave his dysfunctional relationship on “I Must Love You.” Over Dilla’s crashing cymbals, Guilt humorously rhymes about candlelight dinners at Red Lobster that go well until his chick flips on him for supposedly flirting with the waitress.

Guilty shows throughout the LP that he has a knack for drawing you into his experiences. On the album’s title track he portrays the grime of the D with the tale of a slimy neighbor who slings weight but ends up getting jammed up by corrupt cops. Speaking of cops, “Pigs” explores Guilty’s feelings for the boys in blue. He affectionately rhymes “when I see the boys in blue, I feel like a blood.” He also talks about the prejudice officers have for black folks in the hood adding some social commentary to the typical “fuck the police” stance. Ode gives you all sides of Guilty; even the romantic side. “Kinda Live” has Guilt serenading a female he’s formed a bond with. Then there’s the anarchy that takes place on “Kill Em.” DJ Babu helms the organ while Guilt channels his aggression into a cryptic track that could easily be a theme for Jason Voorhees-like action. From lyrical onslaughts to funny tracks about a female Stan, Ode gives you a substantial helping of good Hip Hop music.

Point blank, Ode to the Ghetto is a dope LP. What Guilty Simpson understands better than most underground acts is that the fans don’t need another album chalk full of crazy wordplay. The fans need an album they can live to and Guilty provides that with Ode. He puts his experiences on wax in a way where you either feel like you’re present or it makes you recall a time when something similar happened to you. And lyrically, he’s dumb nice but he’s able to balance being nice with making good songs with good concepts. And with the production line-up of Mr. Porter, Madlib, Black Milk and Dilla there’s hardly ever a point where the beats are lagging. Ode to the Ghetto succeeds in not trying to rehash the Golden Era but pushing the sound of Hip Hop forward. If Guilty can continue to make music at this level of quality then he’s destined to be one of the greats.

StuntinOnProseDotCom

World Meet Spot

2008-02-17T08:07:00.000-08:00

World meet Coney Island's own, Spot. From time to time, I receive music from publicists pubbing indie artists. Some is good and some is butt--alot more of the latter. But uh yeah...if you're reading this and you're an artist that's sent me music I'm not talking about your music being butt. It's the other guy's shit. Spot's mixtape A Breath Away shows that Spot has potential to do some things. I'm not too keen of the drug dealer motifs but he really does have a polished flow. Check out his tracks "She Hate Me" and "Hold Up" below. If you likey, download the mixtape above. Comments please...

Head on over to StuntinOnProseDotCom for the audio

Fabolous + DJ Drama There is no Competition

2008-02-17T08:06:00.000-08:00

Fabolous + DJ Drama There is no Competition

Glow in the Dark Tour Dates

2008-02-17T08:05:00.000-08:00

Tour dates after the jump...

Courtesy of HipHopDX.com

4/16 - Seattle, WA @ Key Arena
4/18 - Sacramento, CA @ ARCO Arena
4/19 - San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion
4/20 - San Diego, CA @ Sports Arena
4/21 - Los Angeles, CA @ Nokia Theatre
4/24 - * Tucson, AZ @ University of Arizona's McKale Auditorium
4/25 - * Las Vegas, NV @ Red Rock Casino Resort Spa
4/26 - * Albuquerque, NM @ Journal Pavilion
4/27 - Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
4/29 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Ford Center
4/30 - Austin, TX @ Frank Irwin Center
5/1 - Dallas, TX @ SuperPages.com Center
5/2 - Houston, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
5/4 - Atlanta, GA @ Gwinette Arena
5/5 - Tampa, FL @ Ford Amphitheatre
5/6 - W. Palm Beach, FL @ Cruzan Amphitheatre
5/8 - Charlotte, NC @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
5/9 - Raleigh, NC @ Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
5/10 - Washington, DC @ Nissan Pavilion
5/11 - Virginia Beach, VA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
5/13 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
5/15 - Boston, MA @ Tweeter Center
5/16 - Hartford, CT @ North East Dodge Music Center
5/17 - Philadelphia, PA @ Susquehana Bank Center
5/18 - Scranton, PA @ Toyota Pavilion
5/20 - Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
5/21 - Toronto, ON @ Molson Centre
5/22 - Auburn Hills, MI @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
5/23 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
5/24 - Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center
5/27 - Saskatoon, SK @ Credit Union Centre
5/29 - Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Palace
5/30 - Calgary, AB @ Saddledome

Guilty Simpson Interview for NobodySmiling.com

2008-02-17T07:58:00.000-08:00

Anyone could get clapped in the D. No one’s prone to the violence that’s clutched Motown as of late—not even the rappers who’ve “made it.” When poverty is amidst, so are the hammers. D-12 rapper, Proof, was slain from a gunshot to the head and solo rapper, Obie Trice, barely escaped the same fate. It’s real in the streets of Detroit right now. Emerging emcee, Guilty Simpson was almost swallowed up by this very environ living a life that consisted of getting over by hook or crook—usually crook. After a few run-ins that nearly sent him to the pearly gates, he decided to look to the microphone for an honest buck. Becoming a mainstay in the breeding ground that brought us some of Hip Hop’s finest (J-Dilla, Eminem, Elzhi, Phat Kat and Slum Village), Guilty Simpson used that same aggression and straight-forward orientation on the mic to land himself a deal with Stones Throw. Now, he travels the world slinging rap tunes instead of well, you know, rocks.

NobodySmiling.com: You’ve done a lot of touring overseas. It seems like they have a greater appreciation of Hip Hop outside of the United States. Do you feel that’s true and if so, why?

Guilty Simpson: I think we appreciate it too but they’re able to really appreciate underground Hip Hop because they know where it started from. They’re more based on the foundation of rap as opposed to swaying with the new fads. You can look at it the same way as how kids in the United States might not appreciate the education that’s really laid at their feet. Then you might take students that come from other countries who do and end up becoming doctors and shit. It’s a different type of appreciation when you’re able to admire something from a distance; when you can just appreciate the art form. We take it for granted a little bit around here but I think the major corporations played a large part in that.

NobodySmiling.com: I know touring overseas must have been a crazy experience for you. Do you have any stories that stick out in your mind from your time overseas?

Guilty Simpson: Yeah man probably just my first time over there. It kind of was overwhelming. A couple of my homies like Slum [Village], Phat Kat and Black Milk had been over there before I had. They tried to prep me as much as possible before I went over there about the love and the type of energy they give over there. Once you go over there and you see it first-hand, you get a better idea of what they’re talking about but if you haven’t been over there then you can’t totally relate. Once, I had been onstage overseas and they got like a mosh pit going. They were really wildin’ out. That energy is one of the biggest differences over there.

You know one of most memorable moments was when I went to Paris. They told me about how people from Paris felt about Americans and all this stuff. I went over there with Black Milk and Sean P[rice]. Right after I got through doing my set, they called me back out and they gave me some Air 1s with my face all on them. Sean P’s face was on them. It was for our group (Random Ax). They gave me the impression that Paris was going to be unwelcome to us and a rough stretch on the tour but they had a lot of genuine love for us. So that was really overwhelming that someone would take their hard-earned money and make me some shoes and not take one Euro for them.

Nobodysmiling.com: You have music in your bloodline with your father and grandfather being artists. How much did their careers as performing musicians affect your decision to rap?

Guilty Simpson: When I was younger I didn’t take it for what it was worth. One thing I can say is that what they were doing didn’t necessarily inspire me to be a musician or performer per se but it did give me a love for the music. My father would work a nine to five and come home from work and pull out his alto saxophone and play for hours on top of hours. So when I was young I’d just sit and watch him do that. But I was more the type that thought the pussy dudes played in the band. I kind of had a cloudy vision of what my destiny would be. I think everything happens for a reason. But they definitely instilled inside of me a…well my pops didn’t usually get paid to do venues but they’d always be there. He was always dedicated to the band. It just made me, more or less, recognize and acknowledge the power of music without directly being involved in it. Then once I got into it, it all clicked and it all made sense with my father, my grandfather, just everything. I eventually got on the page but at a young age I was so inexperienced…I wanted to be Tony Dorsett or Walter Payton or shit like that. In hindsight, I understand it and in hindsight I wish I would’ve picked up one of those instruments they tried to get for me.

NobodySmiling.com: I hear Kool G Rap is one of your favorites. What was it about Kool G Rap that inspired/influenced you?

Guilty Simpson: His content was gutter but at the same time, syllable-wise and the way he could rhyme, he embodied a real emcee to me. You have to understand listening to rap music in Detroit, we idolized rappers because of what they could say on the mic. But being in the hood in Detroit, we idolized dudes that were getting money…like real life gangsters. So applying that to my musical life and my real life, G Rap just embodied everything. He was a gangster rapper, and a rapper’s rapper. The same thing goes for Ice Cube, Scarface but G Rap was my top guy man. I hear a lot of emcees borrow from him, but he’s not really held as high amongst the general fan consensus as one of the greatest rappers but he’s definitely a common named name amongst peers who do this.

NobodySmiling.com: What was life before rap like for you?

Guilty Simpson: It was wild. I got into my late teens, early 20s…if you don’t have direction in a city like this or any city where you have poverty directly in your face like Detroit and you don’t have a vision you’ll get swallowed up by your environment. I was wildin’ out, fighting, shooting just doing dumb ass shit. I never really tried to be the big drug dealer guy or nothing like that. We used to rob a lot of niggas but, I thank God for giving me that direction because there’s a lot of people that are talented but didn’t really follow up on their talent and got engulfed by the environment in Detroit. After awhile, you’re going to be one of two things: either a drug dealer or a fiend. Those weren’t options that I really wanted to deal with. I didn’t really want to deal with a drug dealer’s conscience or not knowing if a fiend was going to kill you, a rival drug dealer, the police…I didn’t really want to make that my direction. I have people that did choose that lifestyle, that I love to this day that I’ll bust slugs for, but I just didn’t think that was right for me. I always felt deep down that there was something different planned for me.

NobodySmiling.com: Was there one major event that lead to your change from the streets to rap?

Guilty Simpson: Yeah man, there were several events. Before I got deep into the rap stuff we used to be out here thuggin’ just doing dumb stuff. There were a couple of times when we got into it with some people and dudes out here don’t play. We’d be out here wildin’ and fighting and doing whatever and I just had a couple of brushes with death where someone could have easily killed me. You just kind of realize this isn’t the life for me. It wasn’t that I was scared or anything like that. It was just a point, during a couple of times, where I was like it’s time to grow up from that stupid shit especially arguing over words especially when you start compromising the safety of your family or your livelihood you know stuff you really stand for. Simple words in the club or screaming out the wrong neighborhood, that wasn’t reason enough to die in these streets of Detroit. So, I just gave that shit up.

NobodySmiling.com: You rhyme a lot about police brutality and your dislike for the police. What are some of your experiences that made you feel that way?

Guilty Simpson: Man, you know friend’s experiences and my own experiences. I got a homie right now who got shot by the police over nothing. They do a whole lot of dirty shit to us. I understand that you’re here to enforce the laws and you want to have some type of structure but my experiences have always been they’re fucking with me for nothing just because I may fit a certain criteria of who they feel like the enemy should be. You have to understand I’m coming from kids just trying to have fun—and this is before I got into the street shit—to full responses from mad squad cars. I remember a long time ago a dude in our neighborhood got shot and the police showed up and they were real casual about getting this man the assistance he needed. When you’re really in the hood and you grow up in an area that’s not financially flourishing, police have a certain attitude where they treat everybody in generalities like since you live here you have to be like this. I just think they treat poor people unfairly. I got homies right now that’s locked up because, till this day, he says that he didn’t do what they said he did. It’s a whole lot of things. They used to do shit like pull us over because we were in the wrong neighborhood and do some shit like lock our keys in the car and make us walk home you know bullshit like that. I just don’t get along with cops. There are some good ones but it’s a lot of bad ones and I don’t have the time of day to figure out who’s good and who’s bad so fuck em’. I don’t really trust them.

NobodySmiling.com: How’d you meet J-Dilla (R.I.P.)?

Guilty Simpson: There used to be this spot right outside of Detroit where they had open mics. I was one of the emcees there week in week out on my thing. This particular night, the place was packed. Dilla and them were in the house and I didn’t even know it. I got off the stage after doing my thing and shortly after that, my man DJ Houseshoes called me and asked me how I felt about working with Dilla. Of course, I wanted to do that. I was like shit, of course. Later on that week I was in the lab with Dilla. I had already knew about his work but he actually came to a club, saw me onstage doing my thing and from then on he knew he wanted to work with me, so I was thankful for that. I’m glad he chose that club that night to go hang out.

NobodySmiling.com: I know you had a lot of buzz brewing from “Strapped” and the labels were probably sending all kinds of deals your way. What made you sign with Stones Throw?

Guilty Simpson: I had a couple of options man. I think the main thing was to find a place that gave the artist the freedom to do what he wants to do and Stones Throw is not afraid to let the artists do their thing whether it succeeds or fail. It’s just the fact they understand the concept of giving an artist room to grow. I can’t think about making a Jeezy type of record while making my album or guess what my record’s going to sound like I’m trying to be Young Jeezy. Just having that freedom in general and to just have the label send out records, it makes it real, real easy. A lot of the other situations I was in, I wasn’t necessarily sure if I would’ve have been able to control it like that. They (Stones Throw) gave me gravy paperwork. It’s real hard to get rich especially on an independent label but they put me in the position with my paperwork where I’d be able eat and I’m positive I wouldn’t have been able to get that from any other labels. If I was, it definitely wouldn’t have been a label that has a reputation for putting out quality records like Stones Throw. Dilla was there and up until the time he passed, he had nothing but good things to say about ST (Stones Throw). It was just a good fit for me.

NobodySmiling.com: Stones Throw has one of the most diverse rosters. What’s the typical day in the office like there?

Guilty Simpson: I’m still in Detroit but I go to L.A. quite a bit. When I’m in L.A., I get up smoke some weed to get my body right (laughs) then I go to the lab. Next I head to the label, chop it up with MED, Madlib, J Rocc too… Basically, it’s just a real good vibe when I’m dealing with them. When I’m there it’s really all love. So I do all that then I get lifted and probably go to a party in Hollywood. Peanut Butter Wolf is always on the tables somewhere so we might just go there, kick it and just vibe out. That’s really what I do in L.A. It’s like a vacation from Detroit. I’m not trying make it seem all bad but it’s just kind of tense here just the way the people carry themselves in general. It’s tense. When you go to L.A., everyone’s relaxed. I probably got a jaded view because I’m in Hollywood a lot as opposed to Compton or South Central which I’m sure has a Detroit vibe to them. Basically, when I’m out there I kick my feet up and just parlay and smoke good.

NobodySmiling: What can we expect from your upcoming debut, Ode to the Ghetto?

Guilty Simpson: I’m still grounded by that old Hip Hop shit. It’s going to have that grimey ass content, ridiculous ass beats and hardcore lyrics to it. It’s not going to be about nothing crazy like killing babies or let’s go shoot your momma however I’m not watering down what I’m trying to do to cater to some type of audience. A lot of people who do know about me and have been following me from day one, they know what kind of emcee I am. Rather then going outside of my element, I’d rather stay true to the people that do follow me and let my fan base grow from there. You’re going to get raw ass Detroit shit with beats from Madlib, Oh No, Black Milk, Mr. Porter, Dilla. Regardless of who it is you’re going to get a motherfucker who’s going to give you the tour of some Detroit shit. You’re going to hear about the guy down the street that does dirt but in my rhymes you’re going to hear about why he does dirt too really getting into details about why shit is the way it is. At end of the day, what I want to project is real shit over some banging ass beats.

NobodySmiling.com: What would make this a successful debut to you?

Guilty Simpson: I don’t want to put it in the sales realm. I want people that follow my work to stand by it. I don’t know if at the end of the year that appreciation will come for my record. Maybe that’ll come five years from now when somebody is like I copped this record 5 years ago and I played it and the shit sounds just as good as when I first got it or it sounds better than it did when I first got it. I want my music to age well. I don’t want for it to just be hot for the times. I want some shit that’s going to age like wine. Even if someone was like this record is alright to me but now I’m listening to it 5 years later and this is the shit. I don’t even care if it has that Reasonable Doubt effect. We missed it at first and it came back and we’re like this is the shit. I want something I can look back on and be like I’m proud of that record. If I do that then I’ll be fine. My fan base will grow not to sound arrogant. I’m just confident in what I do. I didn’t win the lottery to be Guilty Simpson and put a record out. I put in work. If I stay true to myself, then things will work out.