Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Way Back Wednesdays: Ahmad- Back In The Day

"Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore, But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again". I've been feeling like this for the past couple years and I'm still a kid! A song about the teenage years and childhood memories. The sample is Teddy Pendergrass' "Love TKO". The whole song is perfectly done! "I miss those days and so I pout like a grown jerk, Wishin' all I had to do now was finish homework".

Tupac Shakur: The Lost Interview, Pt.5

I'm unsure how many parts their are to this interview but like I said I'ma keep posting them as they release 'em. In part 5 Tupac talks on the phone with Suge Knight and it looks like the Bulls are playing the Magic (Kukoc passes to Harper? as time expires on the shot clock).

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Blue Scholars: HI-808

I've been bumping these guys ever since I saw them in concert. They're def dope live and I recommend you check 'em out. While you're at it check out their latest video, an ode to H-A-W-A-I-I.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Mainstream Mondays: Nas- If I Ruled The World Live At Orange Rockcorps

Nas performs his 1996 hit song live from The Royal Albert Hall in London. The song samples Whodini's song "Friends". The footage is definitely clean! "It sounds foul but every girl I meet would go downtown, I'd open every cell in Attica send em to Africa".

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Slug performing "In My Continental"

I just stumbled across this rare footage of Slug performing his song "In My Continental" on the Late Night Hype Show. Damn I wish I was there!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Who'd They Sample? Saturdays: Spooky Tooth- The Mirror

All I can say is Ant is a genius! He's one of the best producers out there. He sampled this song for Atmosphere's song "Trying To Find A Balance" and it definitely worked. Slug was once quoted saying that this song is, "the one I hate performing the most, but everybody loves it". Anyways check it out.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Tupac Shakur: The lost Interview, Pt. 1

Just saw this on the net today. I guess Vibe has been releasing this never before seen footage of Tupac getting interviewed back in 1996. In this first part Pac talks about life in 20 years and where he'd be. So far they've released four parts of this interview and there's more to come. I'll keep posting the videos as I get them.



Pt. 2 Pt.3 Pt.4

Thursday, September 24, 2009

M.O.P.- Calm Down

I'll be honest, I had no clue about M.O.P. Sometimes that east coast music just doesn't make it's way to Cali. Or maybe I just slept on them. Either way I recognize them now and that's all that matters! I heard this song a couple months back on Curt@!n$ Rebel Radio and was replaying the episode last night. I had to put it up... either that or wait a few years for "WBW" and that wasn't happening. This song is dope. "Calm down, get back!".


Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Drake: Take You Home ft. Trey Songz

















Besides being on some Canadian teen drama, Drake can actually rap pretty decent. He's got a new mixtape out titled "Ready To Fly", a DJ Noodles production. It's got some pretty nice songs on there so it's def worth a check out. Is it just me or does this sample sound a lot like the sample Felt used for their song "Dirty Girl"? You can find the mixtape at Datpiff.


Way Back Wednesdays: The Pharcyde- Passin' Me By

Off their 1992 debut album, Bizzare Ride ll the Pharcyde, comes one of the 90's best. A song about crushes that lead to heartbreak. Is it just me or does love seem to be the focal point for most musicians? Who would have known!?

Monday, September 21, 2009

Mainstream Mondays: Gorilla Zoe In Studio w/ ILLFONICS

Ever since I heard Kid Cudi freestyling like Too Short over this ILLFONICS beat I've been wanting to hear it in an actual song. I searched and searched but no luck. Finally I found this video. I take it that Gorilla Zoe is going to use the beat in some way or another. I'll keep everyone posted when I hear any news.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Who'd They Sample? Saturdays: Karma- Once













So I'm not the biggest Lil Wayne fan out there but he's def got some quality songs. One of my more liked Lil Wayne songs would have to be "I Feel Like Dying". It just has this feel to it, it puts you in a different world. The song Lil Wayne used to sample is Karma's "Once". An amazing song! Truly beautiful. Apparently Lil Wayne released the song before he and Karma Ann Swanepoel came to an agreement. Lawsuits were filed but I'm unsure what the results were. Normally I'd do my research but I'm hungover and in need of a double-double from In-N-Out. I hope you enjoy the song as much as I'll enjoy my #1.


Thursday, September 17, 2009

Brother Ali: Us

I decided to put this video up in anticipation of Brother Ali's latest album tilted "Us". The album is set to drop September 22nd. Good music lives in Minnesota!

Murs: Who's The Boss?

I completely forgot to post this video when it came out! Ok I lie... I discovered it a couple months ago and wasn't sure if I should post it since it's somewhat older. What the hell! Rick Ross used Murs' beat and in turn Murs responds with this song over Rick's beat.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Mat Weddle: Hey Ya! Outkast Cover

















So I know this is really old but this cover is dope! I'm thinking I heard this song for the first time maybe four years ago? Anyways me and Mat go way back. I mean I was on his top 8 back when he had a Myspace. That makes me cool right? You've probably seen the video for this on Youtube when Mat Weddle performed this song at an open mic night. He released a in studio acoustic version way before the video came out. I prefer the studio's sound quality. Enjoy!


Way Back Wednesdays: Geto Boys- Mind Playing Tricks On Me

"Mind Playing Tricks On Me" was a single by the Geto Boys, off their 1991 album We Can't Be Stopped. The song samples Isaac Hayes' song "Hung Up On My Baby". Using psychological profiles such as paranoia, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression as a metaphor, the song's goal is to express the abandonment of the urban Black Community. "I sit alone in a four cornered room staring at candles".

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Macklemore: Love Song

















So the other day I asked my friend if she had any good music for me. Her response: Macklemore. She was right. Macklemore is def good music. Lately I've been having this thing where the first song I hear from an artist ends up being my favorite. "Love Song" was the first song I heard by Macklemore and right now my favorite. Check it.


Haji P Interview













Can you list a few things for everyone out there to get to know you better? If it was my list it would look something like this: Puff Daddy back up vocals, Michael Jordan mid range jumpers over Craig Ehlo and the "Trapped In The Closet" series by R. Kelly.


I can easily be summed up by watching either one of these fine televised situation comedies: The Cosby Show, Three's Company, Martin, The Fresh Prince, Homeboys in Outerspace, The Muppet Show, Sanford & Son, and Good Times...and then listening to the entire M.O.P. catalog.


You lived in Jersey City, Wilmington N.C. and Hawaii, how have your travels helped or hurt you musically?

It was definitely only to my benefit... and easily the leading influence on my character as a rapper and person. Being from Hawaii, I was raised in an atmosphere where the culture was primarily Asian. In Jersey City, it was typical hood life, both positive and negative. Then, moving to the south, I found out racism was real as hell! That's when ish got funky...and I make it all blatantly obvious in my music!

You worked for a radio station earlier in your career, what did that teach you about the rap game?

It taught me that there's a bajillion rappers in the world who preface their names with "Young," and "Lil!" More importantly tho, it taught me how to understand the difference between "music" and "entertainment." Which is something I think most rappers (especially on some underground ish) need to learn.

How is it working with the rest of the Rec League guys?

Its cool. I mean, the hours are long, and they dont provide dental...but as a whole, it's a great rap establishment to be apart of.

I read on your website that Sean Price stole your cell phone from you when you were on stage. Care to elaborate?

Long story short; I left my phone on stage, he took it, I called it, he told me he took it and threatened to call somebody in Africa, we met up, I got it back... If I tell you everything, nobody will read about it when I write the full story on my website.

I also read that you have a pretty decent Shock G story?

I'd like to think of it as him having a pretty decent Haji P story.

Not to change the subject to much but what are your thoughts on our newest president?

I think he's a pretty tall guy. I would imagine its fairly easy for him to grab things off the top shelf.


Your song "Quarter Water" was the first song of yours that I heard. Care to explain anything about the song? How long did it take to write? Where were you when you wrote it?

That song is definitely my "Bust A Move!" For the one or two people who actually enjoy my music, "Quarter Water" always tends to be the favorite. I'm considering releasing an album with 12 different versions of that song. To include an 80's pop mix, featuring Paula Abdul and DJ Cat.

Quarter Water is a lot more personal than most of what I write. Mainly I do a lot of story teller raps. But that song kinda came at an intense moment of, "Dang, I really want a be a rapper!" I straight up ditched work to write it. I drove off in the radio stations vehicle, about 20 minutes outside of Wilmington, parked in a gas station, sat in the drivers seat and started writing. It didn't really have a hook until a week later when i pulled into the driveway of the studio to record it.

I gotta give a big shout out to Greenville, SC. They've always showed that song an insurmountable load of love. It was one of those jammys that I could literally just hold the mic to the crowd to. Thanks, Greenville.

Before I let you go, what should your fans be looking forward to in Haji P's near future?

Im dropping a full length solo lp with DJ MF Shalem called "Neighborhood Kid" in February. If I had to rate it on a scale of 1 to 10, it would be The Terminator. So, you should probably get it when it comes out.

Be sure to check out this dope MC who hails out of my home town Santa Cruz. You can find him on his website HERE.

Monday, September 14, 2009

K. Flay Presents: Mashed Potatoes

















I'd say I definitely have a profound love for women. I've been told I even might be obsessed with women. I concur, partially. But when it comes to women rappers my love for them somewhat vanishes. Don't get me wrong, I'm no where near sexist. It's just that I don't tend to dig them musically. I mean I like Missy Elliott (but that's because of her odd, yet creative music videos), I like M.I.A. (but that's because I dig the fact that she's from Sri Lanka), I like Eve (but that's because of her awesome tattoo on her breast) and I like Salt N Peppa (well because the simple fact that Salt N Peppa are sick). It's honestly a shame that my brain thinks like this and that I'm starting off the post like this, but trust me, I will get to the point.

All that aside, when it comes to K. Flay, all those thoughts are out the door. She's dope! With a look that for some reason reminds me off Lily Allen and a style that reminds me of that one Fergie song, "London Bridge", K. Flay has me nodding my head and tapping my feet.

The 24-year-old, hailing from San Francisco, mixed and produced the whole cd by herself (awesome)! The first song from the mixtape, "ON the bridge" (which samples the Red Hot Chili Peppers song, "Under The Bridge"), is def my favorite song on the mixtape. K. Flay makes the sample feel like it was meant for hip hop. The song also has the feel of Ice Cube's "It Was A Good Day" with lines like: "The day well homie it ain’t done yet, Cause it’s only half past three, Chillin as the CHP zoom swiftly right past me".

For the third song on the mixtape comes "CRAZYtown". The song samples Gnarls Barkley's song, "Crazy". Definitely a song that gets your foot tapping and I even laughed at the line, "As I stare at an ink blot, Thinking why I think the thoughts I think, Paying 20 g’s a year straight to my shrink". The fifth song is the most creative song on the mixtape in my opinion. The track titled, "miniVANS ft. Eligh", samples The Pack's song, "Vans". Only she's not rapping about sneakers, she's rapping about rolling around in her family's Chrysler Town and Country. "Singing 99 bottles of beer, so obnoxious, Reading Bearenstein Bears till I got too nauseous." Did she just use Bearenstein Bears in one of her raps?! I now officially have a crush on this chick.

The sixth track is titled, "love in this CLUB MED" (obviously sampling Usher and his song "Love In This Club"). This track has taken me from my comfortable spot on my couch to my bathroom mirror (singing along with K. Flay and trying to look cool while doing it... I even took a few bathroom pics for my Myspace while I was at it). "I wanna make love in this club to a thug with a speedo, Hit up my cabana whip it like devo, No clap, all I’m catching is rays, Ladies in the back let me hear you say." This chick is awesome! If nothing more, the tenth track (sampling M.I.A.'s song, "Paper Planes") had me scared. K. Flay starts off the track by saying, "So watch the fuck out man, I dig a hole to China, put your head in it". She goes hard! The eleventh song and also the last is titled, "crack a VANILLA COKE", a song about K. Flay's addiction and desire for Vanilla Coke. At first I had trouble figuring out what the sample was but finally I realized it was Eminem's "Crack A Bottle". Sorry Marshal but K. Flay's song is far superior.

Overall this mixtape is dope! Totally creative, very addicting and I highly recommend it. Whether woman or man, quality music is quality music. If you're reading this review K. Flay, we should go out, you can teach me how to make home-made mashed potatoes sometime. Oh and I was totally joking about taking bathroom pics for my Myspace. I swear! Speaking of Myspace be sure to check out K. Flay on her's. Click
HERE

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Kanye & Taylor Swift At the MTV VMA's

It seems like Kanye freaks out every single year at the VMA's. What's his deal?! Some of the outlandish things Kanye does is awesome (his famous "George Bush doesn't care about black people" line was unbelievably great) but sometimes Kanye just needs to chill. Check him interrupting Taylor Swift as she tries to give her acceptance speech.

Alexander Spit: Beat For The Street

So I just heard of this dude the other day and decided to check out his new music video. After a couple listens I'm still not sure how I feel about the song. The video is dope and you can tell that dude has a nice flow... just not sure if I'm digging the beat just yet. Previously Alexander Spit was a member of the San Francisco and Los Angeles based Hip Hop crew, The Instant Messengers. Anyways check it out.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Who'd They Sample? Saturdays: Nosaj Thing- Aquarium

I heard the sampled version of this song by Kid Cudi around a year ago. Kid Cudi's song, "Man On The Moon (The Anthem)", is one of my favorite Cudi songs due in large part to the amazing beat. The video for Nosaj Thing's "Aquarium" is captivating and beautiful. To me the video is about a man who falls in love with a mermaid. Although she loves him back she still longs for the ocean. One day she goes back into the ocean and he follows her in. I emailed Nosaj Thing and this is what he had to say about my ideas, "I'm pretty much on the same page with you on the video. I wasn't involved with making that video. It isn't the concept I had in mind when I made the song either. I called it aquarium because I was inspired by a big aquarium that I visited the summer I made the song". Anyways check out the video and be sure to check out Nosaj Thing.


Friday, September 11, 2009

Michael Jordan aka Hall of Famer

I had to post something about MJ being inducted to the Hall. Some might ask, "what does this have to do with hip hop?" and my response would be, everything! So much about MJ is exactly like hip hop and the hip hop "lifestyle". From retiring multiple times like Jay-Z to selling out shoes like Run DMC. Flying across the court so gracefully and flowing on a track with such rhythm is something I identify being one of the same. MJ was such a huge part of my childhood (as was hip hop). One of my favorite MJ moments was back in 1992 ( game 1 of the NBA Finals vs. the Blazers) when Jordan went off in the first half. The part that sticks out the most in that game is when MJ hit his 6th three of the half and then looks over at Marv Albert and the rest of the NBC announcers and shrugs. Sometimes MJ even surprised MJ. I'm so glad I followed him so closely back then because now I have a lot of dope memorabilia to show for it (including a sick MJ and Spike Lee poster and some really dope MJ watches). Anyways I feel like if you dig MC Hammer then you most certainly dig Michael Jordan. Congrats MJ! And yes, I still "want to be like Mike" (I also wish I could go back into time when Gatorade was in the glass jars).



And if that didn't pump you up: The Alan Parsons Project- Sirius (aka the Chicago Bulls intro music)

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Way Back Wednesdays: The Beatnuts- Do You Believe?

For those of you who don't know, The Beatnuts consist of JuJu and Psycho Les. "Do You Believe?" is the second single from the 1997 album, Stone Crazy. The song starts off with JuJu rapping about his "ghetto mentality" and Psycho Les' follows with a verse about making music and partying. The sample used in this song is from the song "Fueron Tres Anos", by the group Los Angeles Negros. I chose this specific video because of it's quality but the original video has the words "Make It Or Break It" across the screen with a phone number to call (212-491-7253). Being the nerd that I am I tried calling the number but unfortunately it doesn't work. Anyways it's a dope song! "Yo check it" out.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Mainstream Mondays: Kid Cudi- Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)

















With the first installment of "Mainstream Mondays" (a segment that will cover music that has ties to corporate and/or commercial entities) I'm posting Kid Cudi's newest single, "Pursuit of Happiness", off Cudi's first studio album, Man on the Moon: The End of Day. I've been waiting for this song (featuring MGMT & Ratatat, also produced by Ratatat) to leak for a few weeks now and luckily DJ Semtex did just that. Cudi will also be performing this song (with Ratatat) on "The Late Show With David Letterman" tomorrow night.
Man on the Moon: The End of Day, drops September 15th.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Who'd They Sample? Saturdays: Valerie Simpson- Silly Wasn't I

This song was sampled by 9th Wonder for Murs' track "Silly Girl" (off of Murs' album "Murray's Revenge"). Also used in 50 Cent's song "Best Friend". Check it out.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Kanye West- Can't Tell Me Nothing w/ Zach Galifianakis

I know this is really old! Just thought it might help get the weekend started off right. Kanye should def think about hiring Zach for future music videos.


Thursday, September 3, 2009

Jay-Z: Young Forever ft. Mr. Hudson

















HOV? A "Forever Young" sample? Blueprint 3? I just had to. Even the artwork is clean! Blueprint 3 comes out 9/11. I would say "Go to the store and buy it" but I don't really care all that much. Check it out though.


Wednesday, September 2, 2009

A.R.M.- Heaven Only Knows ft. Brother Ali

I just discovered these guys today and all I can say is wow! I'm always excited to discover quality music and this def fits the bill. A.R.M. consists of: M.anifest, Krukid and Budo. The trio, hailing from Ghana, Uganda and Seattle respectively helps create this perfect blend of music and culture. Anyways check out the video and be sure to check out A.R.M.'s website HERE.

Way Back Wednesdays: Rappin' 4-Tay- Playaz Club

This is one of my favorite songs to chill to. The beat (sampled from William Bell's song "Private Number" ft. Judy Clay) is so relaxing and Rappin' 4-Tay's flow is just that, flow. "Playaz Club" off of 4-Tay's album, Don't Fight the Feelin', is still to this day one of his biggest hits. "Me and my homies, we tighter than a glove".