Freddie Gibbs featuring Pill "Womb 2 the Tomb" VIDEO

Okay, here's the video for my favorite ditty of the summer, "Womb 2 the Tomb" by Freddie Gibbs feat. Pill (produced by the Super Incredible Mr. Lee). I dig it. I never actually like, for real looked at Freddie Gibbs either... um, cute anyone?

I think this new breed of rappers that can for real rhyme are actually good looking: Blu, Freddie, Pill, Mikkey Halsted, J. Cole... makes you actually want to watch videos again. Hee.

Anywhoo. If I ever shoot a video, I will officially have a scene where I get my hair done under a bridge, or next to a grafitti wall. If the guys can get their hair cut in abandoned warehouses, why can't we do the same? I'm just sayin.

"Wonderful Life" Sean Falyon feat Playboy Tre & Scar

Wee! Excited about this ditty. Playboy Tre is quickly becoming my favorite rapper (if you still haven't downloaded Goodbye America or Liquor Store Mascot your speakers are probably mad at you).

Of course, ya'll know how I feel about my longtime buddy, Scar... he's poised to be "next" and is a phenomenal writer (John Legend, Mario, Jamie Foxx, etc).

Kudos to Sean Falyon for a jamming song-- Sean Falyon BE Everywhere coming soon.

"Wonderful Life" produced by the Weathermen:

The Foreign Exchange "I Wanna Know" video

Check out the new video "I Wanna Know" by Foreign Exchange. This is one of my favorite songs off of Leave It All Behind... or at least, one of the most well-written songs. It's so hopeful. And I know my cynical ass needs reminders that there are still some people who believe in the concept of wanting to have unconditional love, or at least, trying your best to obtain and live up to the concept. Anyways. Nice video.

The Foreign Exchange - ''I Wanna Know'' from The Foreign Exchange on Vimeo.

A3C Festival Wrap-Up: Killer Mike, J.Cole, Rakim, Spree Wilson, Tanya Morgan & More

The A3C Festival returned to Atlanta last weekend. Let's just say, I'm totally hip-hopped out. I mean, I dig rap and all, but rubbing elbows for three days with dudes who actively try to out "hip-hop" each other has been exhausting. There were a lot of cool acts though, namely, Spree Wilson, J. Cole, Killer Mike, Mikkey Halsted, Tanya Morgan and Diamond District.

Anyways, I covered the festival for Creative Loafing. If you missed anything, catch up.



A3C Day #1

A3C Day #2



A3C Day #3

Why More Women Should Attend "Real" Hip-Hop Shows

With the A3C Festival kicking off today, I thought it would be a good time to give the ladies 5 Reasons to Attend a "Real Hip Hop Show."

For people who dig hip-hop that's not necessarily co-signed by urban radio, this is a cool festival, with tons of artists (most of which are actually good) and a generally good vibe. At least it was last year (check my wrap-up from last year). For the 2008 Festival, I was actually on the Women in Hip Hop panel alongside Roxanne Shante. Super cool. But honestly, aside from that panel (where I actually performed), the women were SCARCE. In fact, the only real female performer was Roxanne Shante who came out during the Juice Crew reunion. And of course, there weren't many women in attendance throughout the festival. I get tired of being one of only a handful of women at these kinds of shindigs. With that said, here's my list of women should attend more "real" hip-hop shows.

5 Reasons Women Should Attend "Real" Hip-Hop Shows


1. Wearing flats and sneakers make you sexier. Now, I've never been one of those women who need the 9 inch "Carrie" stilettos to make me feel complete. Hell, they hurt. I actually rarely wear heels period. But for my female counterparts, I know that heel-wearing is a big deal. Some of ya'll won't even leave the house without a pair on... nevertheless, you consistently complain about how they hurt your feet. Ah, the joys of womanhood. Well, at "real" hip-hop shows, sneakers and flats are not only accepted but encouraged. It's sexy. You'll be regarded as a "down chick who genuinely digs the music" even if you couldn't tell Blu from Stat Quo.

2. You'll get noticed without any effort. You know the incessant giggling girls do to get noticed? Or the chicks who talk to their friends extra loudly to get attention? or the women who deny themselves bra-power to let it all hang out? Well, at a "real" hip-hop show, such things are not necessary. There just aren't that many of us, which by default automatically demands attention. Men expect you to go see Lil Wayne or Drake. But if you show up at a Slaughterhouse show, you'll be dubbed the coolest. Now, if you're not really into hip-hop and are overwhelmed by the idea of a room full of wild neck-bobbing men, there are still a couple of acts you can check out: Little Brother (more women tend to check for them and the actually have danceable music), Blu (draws a laid-back crowd), Slum Village (laid back crowd, danceable music).


Little Brother fans

3. You'll only be referred to as a "ho" if the rapper is telling a really intricate, witty story. There will be no demands for you to drop it like it's hot, take off your panties and there will be no blow job requests (unless of course the request is followed with a self-deprecating laugh indicating seriousness only if you're down). See, "real" rappers are all about respecting the ladies and rejecting the status quo on the radio. Yes, Murs, Talib Kweli and whoever else probably want to shag you just the same as OJ the Juiceman and Yung Ralph. But the difference is that the aforementioned want to bone you with RESPECT. Get it? Eh.

4. Free weed. I'm not inclined to smoke these days, but if you delight yourself in greenery, "real" hip-hop heads will share.

5. Cool points. If you're a woman and you are spotted at a "real" hip-hop show, you will forever be considered cool by any man who spots you there-- well, as long as you're wearing your sneakers of course.

Random Tips on Nabbing a Cutie in the Crowd at a "Real" Hip-Hop Show:

**Even if you don't like the music, understand the music, or know who the hell the dude on stage rapping so sincerely into the mic is, just bob your head whenever the crowd does. When your neck gets tired, do your best not to look bored. Instead just stare contemplatively at the rapper or DJ on stage as if you are truly trying to decipher his lyrics. You'll look deep and concerned and most of all, as if you truly enjoy "real" hip-hop.

Kool G Rap



**If you spot a cutie in the crowd you'd like the specific attention of, there's something that you can do that will immediately spark his interest. If the rapper on stage looks a little grimy and you hear the words "hustle," "corner," "street," or "grind" used, lean over to said cutie and say that most rappers these days are totally influenced by Kool G Rap, and that Kool G is so underrated. If the rapper on stage has messy hair, looks kind of sleepy and you hear the words "self," "knowledge," "earth," or "higher power," lean over to said cutie and say that most rappers these days are totally influenced by Tribe Called Quest and Q-Tip is really an innovator. Let me know if works.

Slaughterhouse at the Loft in Atlanta

Slaughterhouse at the Loft in Atlanta (plus Killer Mike/Mike Bigga)

My first thought when I walked into the Slaughterhouse show at the Loft in Atlanta, was 'damn, where is everyone'? I came late, (and actually missed my boy, Small Eyez) and the crowd was still pretty thin. For a city full of so-called hip-hop heads who yearn for the days of yesteryear when rappers put aside their ice dreams for bonefide lyricism, the place sure was empty.

"See, Atlanta people are full of shit," one of my boys told me, frowning. "This is a "real" hip-hop show and ain't nobody here. I don't see none of them Apache niggaz here... where they at? I don't want to hear anyone talking shit about Gucci Mane and OJ. They don't even support when they have real hip-hop here."

Dude clearly had a point. Although the room got a little thicker by the time Slaughterhouse went on, I still was disappointed in the lack of support. I don't know. Maybe people were all "concert-ed" out after seeing Goodie Mob rock last week. Eh. On to my thoughts on about the show...

Things I learned at the SH show:

1. Joey is amusing. Granted, most folks have a hard time this guy seriously, and hell, we all know why. But damned if he ain't funny. His first act of amusement came unintentionally, when he took off his shirt. Now, I'm all for dudes taking off their shirts and whatnot, but not dudes with birdchests. About 10 minutes into his set, Joey decided it was "hot than a muthafucka" and stripped. Um, hee. But seriously, his sarcastic comments and banter with Crooked and Royce was pretty amusing.



2. Killer Mike was called to preach. >"They ask me why I'm rapping, tell me I'm called to preach/I smile, and kiss them on they honey brown cheek..."-"God In the Building"
Anyone who has ever seen Killer Mike, er, Mike Bigga, perform knows he has the ability to make you reassess your life. And not in a preachy, naggy, generic-Creflo Dolla kind of way. The dude really cares about your existence and progress, which is why he chooses to forgo the bullshit and get straight to the point. As he told the audience at one point, "fuck that backpack shit, this is real music..." He later informed them that he is really rapping about their life... fuck a Benz. Word, Mike. Word.

Now some people have suggested that Mike should've been part of Slaughterhouse, so that the south could be properly represented. While he certainly has the lyrical capability to join the group and the south should have been represented properly--honestly, I think his message is too hardcore for the group. He's too gritty-political, honestly. While SH isn't on bullshit either, to be honest, they're not as deep as Mike. Before you think I'm just illogically on dude's jock, think about it. There's a difference between reigning lyrically and having a powerful message that just happens to be lyrical as well. Dig? At any rate, my super group would be something like: Killer Mike (Mike Bigga), Bobby Creekwater, Pharoahe Monch and like Ras Kass (if he can stay out of jail).

3. Crooked I doesn't remember his raps. While under ordinary circumstances this would've annoyed me, it was actually hella funny. Apparently he never remembers his rhymes. In fact, when they did their little solo sets, he couldn't remember the words. I guess he may have felt bad about it, because when they closed the show with "One" he jumped down into the crowd and rapped his way back on stage. Dude rocks. Also, lest we forget, Crooked was one of the first dudes to really properly utilize the Internet to boost his career w/ his weekly rhyme series. That was random, but I'm just saying.

4. Women are scarce. I was talking about this on Twitter, wondering if there were going to be any women at the show. Of course, I knew there wouldn't be, but I kept my fingers crossed anyway. It's not like chicks don't dig hip-hop. Before Drake became the annoying-rapper-that-bloggers-incessantly-name-drop-for-hits they packed the Loft and screamed their little hearts out for him. (They also offered him sex after hearing him "croon" "Best I Ever Had" and apparently believing he was somehow talking directly to them, but that's another story.) Anyhoo, the point is, where are the ladies? I mean, SH is full of relatively attractive guys. Aside from Joey's bird-chest, he's cute. So is Royce, Crooked and Joell. I mean, even if you don't like hip-hop, you can just go to watch the action-- sorta like chicks who couldn't tell a lay-up from a jumper, but enjoy seeing Dwayne, CP3 and Lebron sweat.

Aaaaaand ladies, guess what? The dudes at "real" hip-hop shows won't make you feel uncomfortable. They won't be a nuisance because "real" hip-hop heads respect ladies. Or at least they like to pretend as if they do. Example: They'll look intently at your ass, but won't grab it unless you make a request. So don't be afraid. Hip Hop desperately needs us, trust me.

Bottom line: All in all, this was a good show that's worth seeing if it comes to a town near you.
Jacinta's Grade: B

Pill- "Glass" video directed by Zach Wolfe

This the real next generation of Atlanta rap.Watching this video made me remember why I fell in love with the A in the first place, circa 1998.

2009 VMAs: What in Sam's (or Viacom's) Hell?

Okay, so, the VMAs were last night. Those that read me know that's not the kind of thing I typically talk about here, seeing as how the VMAs have sucked for the past... what? Like 8 years? Also, I'm over 16 and MTV just doesn't do much for me any more.

But since there was so much drama attached to last night's show (maybe moreso than even Jay Cutler's atrocious performance for Chicago), I felt inclined to comment on a few things.

First... the hell is going on? Is it me, or did that entire show (well, what I caught of it between flipping back and forth between the game) seem... off? Strange? Forced? Weird? Creepy? I mean, it opened great, with a moving speech from Madonna and an angry, dope ass performance from Janet Jackson. Then... all hell (literally) broke loose.

1. Kanye's "Disruption". Um, first off, I'm inclined to side with Davey D on this one. Shit looked staged. From the randomness of the "outburst" to the fact that Taylor was conveniently backstage when Beyonce so graciously gave her an opportunity to re-do her lame ass speech for the lame ass award she won. Shit, they were even dressed alike. I thought the artists weren't supposed to know who's going to win. If that's the case, why would Taylor have even still been backstage, seeing as how Bey shouldn't have even known that she was going to win?

Even if it wasn't planned, like seriously, it's not that damn deep. Taylor Swift's 25 year-old self (I don't care what ya'll say, 19 my ass) is not a martyr people. Hell, people are still talking about her corny win today-- all because of Kanye.

Not only that, but why are people all surprised and disappointed at Kanye if the stunt was legit? He's been inappropriate for years. Doing inappropriate, gay shit is hardly out of character for dude. I'm just sayin.

2. Lady Gaga's blood. The hell? I dig her music. But what in the hell is she doing? And more importantly, why the hell are ya'll buying into the whole crazed, "artistic" thing she's trying to pull off? She's like a horrible mixture of Grace Jones and Madonna. Difference is, Grace Jones and Madonna earned their weird creativity stripes with more than one song and one strange ass, borderline demonic performance. And before you get all sensitive, like, I get what she was doing. I understand the point she was making. The shit was still creepy and weird as shit. Sorry. Media vultures? I could dig the blood in the eye and dying and wheelchairs if were for an actual cause. But being bullied by the media? Um, unless your name is Michael Jackson, get over yourself already.

3. Pink's trapeze act. She must've practiced the hell out of that. I'll give her that. But seriously, sometimes just plain ole singing does the trick. I do not need to see your ass flipping and swinging through the air to enjoy your performance. See: Alicia Keys.

4. Jack Black prays to Satan. Perhaps the most disturbing thing of all was the fact that Jack Black jokingly prayed to the devil. Okay, read that again. The dude literally prayed.to.the.devil. Is that funny to ya'll? Seriously? Did you snicker? Did you LOL? Too far, ya'll. Too far.

Bottom line: MTV has gone straight to hell.