IS DRE EVER GOING TO DROP DETOX?

I ma really getting tired of waiting on DETOX, dre's third studio album. People have been waiting on the album for like 6 years now. Just yesterday, i was listening to GAME'S debut album, THE DOCUMENTARY, and there was a song on it where dre comes in and says, "watch out for detox"; that was in 2005, 5 years ago. And the album is still not out, and he is even saying he does not know when it would drop.

I think he should just cancel the project, so that the whole world would stop waiting on it. He can do that, and start working on it on the down low, so that there would not be any pressure as per the release date.

I remember sometime late last year when i heard he and game were back in the studio, and were working on the album, i thought to myself "finally, detox would drop". And till now, even though he had SNOOP DOGG and STAT QUO also in the studio with him, day and night, i thought that would be enough force to push out the album, but i guess i was wrong.

Below is what he had to say about it:
"Once that sound is right, once that mix is right, it's a feeling that you get, here -- It's unexplainable," Dre said about putting together his records. "I have to go out to clubs now...You need to understand what people are listening to. I'm working hard on it. I'm stopping to work on other artists in-between, but the minute it's done and I feel it right here. I don't think I've done that [perfect] record yet. I'll know what it is when it comes; I know exactly what it is in my head, but I haven't done it yet. It's close...I got some sh*t coming, believe me."

On another note, i guess i know where he is coming from; he has to really perfect his job to the point where he feels it has gotten to that level, that dre standard. I wish him all the best.

NAS AND DAMIAN MARLEY, "STRONG WILL CONTINUE".

I just got off listening to the lead single off QUEEN'S rapper and THE BEST RAPPER ALIVE, NAS and DAMIAN MARLEY'S collabo album, DISTANT RELATIVES; one word, CLASSIC.

I think this is what people need right now; JAY-Z started the return to quality rap songs with his rampage last year, and i think nas would take it to another level with this song, and the album when it drops.

I can not leave out damain marley in the creativity of this song. The song has a good message, nice melody, and nas blessed it with one of the best verses i have heard from him in a while. It is like this dude just keep getting better. After 18 years in the game, you would think he would have lost it, but this dude keep surprising me every time i hear him flow.

I think if this song is pushed the right way, and given a very good video, then it would really go places; because it is very different, and i think that is what people need right now, a breath of fresh air. The blend of reggae and rap is just fantastic.

Nobody thought they would have a chemistry together, but after hearing them on ROAD TO ZION, a track off damian's 2005 album, WELCOME TO JAMROCK, people started asking for more of that type of collabo. I guess that is what prompted them to record a whole album together, which metamorphosed into "distant relatives".

I heard that the album has been pushed till april 20, i just can't wait till it drops. And i can't also wait for nas's 10th studio to drop.

IS M.I STILL THE KING OF RAP IN NIGERIA.

I remember when M.I blew up sometime towards the end of 2008,he had everybody all of a sudden saying he was the king of rap in NIGERIA. Well, i accepted that fact, cos at the time, no other rapper, asides from MODENINE, was dropping anything. And he came with a solid formula, and didn't have to spit his rhymes in vernacular or anything like that.

He got all the shows, and his debut cd, TALK ABOUT IT, was the must anticipated album of that time. I can say his album is the must anticipated rap album a Nigerian rapper ever dropped.

I got the cd immediately it dropped and i was not disappointed; from the beginning till the end had some form of creativity, and flows was crazy. He came with the lyrics; delivery was tight; and he had a story to tell, so i can say it was a complete album.

After the album dropped, a lot of people started the argument about who was a better MC, he or MODENINE. I stuck with him cos in my books mode is a very rigid rapper. I like when a rapper can be flexible enough to flip his flows, and not sound the same on a considerable amount of tracks. I just thought mode was all metaphors and similes, plus one same style of delivery.

I guess m.i won me over, and i started preaching the gospel. He started getting shows like dance hall and r&b artist do, and the celebrity life began. Then he dropped a mixtape, sometime in the first quarter of 2009, and i was so disappointed with it. He was sounding too much like LIL WAYNE on must of the tracks, and it was like he was no longer serious with rap. He would just play over a track, and not really say anything that made sense. Then he started talking about making an r&b album, and then i just lost all respect for him.

He came back towards the middle of 2009 with his latest single, "somebody wants to die", and he got back the respect i had for him. He went in hard on the track, and he hard the lyrics on point.

Right now, in 2010, i don't know if he stands as strong as he used too, and i think if a serious artist came up with enough fire power, that artist would take his title. In fact, i don't think it is still his title, i think that post is vacant. I think the throne is empty.

Talking of an empty throne, i think NAETO C is gunning for the throne, and i think with a little more work he can get it. I never took naeto seriously when he dropped his first album; not like i didn't feel him, or respect how he came up, i just thought he was the type that was just doing the rap thing for fun, but he surprised me how he kept dropping single after single, till the crowd accepted him. Now that he has his new single, "ako mi ti poju" blasting on radio, and the video constantly been played, on MTV, and CHANNEL O, i think if he drops his second album soon, then he would get the title.

As for mode trying to switch up his flow, as he said on radio a couple of months ago, i wish him luck, cos he really needs to do that to keep up the weather in recent rap scene.

Another rapper that i think is a worthy contestant for the throne, is none other than ELDEE DA DON, the founder of TRYBES RECORDS, and former member of the group, TRYBES MEN. Eldee has been on the scene longer than must of the acts, at list 10 years running. Even when he was away in AMERICA, he kept the music coming. Now that he is back home, i think he is out for the money, explaining why his recent songs, are more like r&b songs. I think if not for this, he would be holding the throne, because you have to agree with me that eldee is incredible on the mic.

So, right now, i think the throne is vacant, till a rapper comes up and claims it.

A LOOK AT THE BILLBOARD CHART.

Hello people? I have not done this in a while, as a matter of fact, i have been off my blog for a while now, and i know i have lost a lot of readers, but i'm back and better, and ready to continue serving you with only the best gist in hip hip/rap, and my take on them.

On the billboard chart, there are not really any new rap albums doing good, it's still same ol JAY-Z, EMINEM...

The YOUNG MONEY album "we are young money" did 21k this week, bringing it to a total of 232k after about a month. I am not looking at gold for this album, but i wish them luck.

Eminem re-released his RELAPSE album around the end of last year, and it gave the album a boost. I guess he is trying to get the album over 2 million copies sold in the u.s. This week, the album sold 17k, bringing the total to 1,777,000. I think it is still going to have a big problem going double platinum, because people hardly ever talk about the album anymore.

Jay-z on the other hand has a lot going for him; dropping two singles off his latest album in the last 4 weeks, which are getting heavy rotation on radio, and the videos also being played constantly on t.v. I think if he keeps on pushing, he might just make it to double platinum. This week, his 11th album, blueprint 3, sold 15k, bringing the total to 1,549,000.

The biggest disappointment to rap right now, 50 CENT sold just 7,300 of his 4th album this week, bringing the total to 365,000. I can't believe that an artist that was known for selling millions, and even once selling 1.1million in his first week, is finding it hard to go gold after just 4 albums in. I think people are just tired of the same old tactics that 50 cent uses to promote his albums; starting a beef with a well standing rapper, just before he drops his album.

the clipse are still on the charts, although they are not doing high numbers, but they have never been known to sell platinum, but they have always dished out quality rap music. Their new album, "til the casket drops" sold 2,900 copies this week, bringing the over all total to 62,000.

WHAT IS YOUNG BUCK'S FATE WITH G-UNIT?

YOUNG BUCK, former G-UNIT member, is asking for a "one on one' with 50 CENT. I remember when buck was kicked out of the unit sometime in 2008, and he started making a lot of noise about how he would make it on his own, how g-unit was all "show money". He even made a couple of diss records, and was always dissing the unit at his concerts/shows. He was quick to appear in THE GAME'S video, MY LIFE. It is just funny that he now wants to have a one on one with 50 to iron out his matter.

I think buck wasn't thinking well when he made his decision, cos he would have thought of the fact that 50 has his contract, and as long as 50 does not let him go, he would just be a frustrated artist. And knowing 50 for the kind of cruel person he can be at times, buck would probably be hanging for a long time to come. I don't think there is anything more frustrating than that.

Buck must have thought he could go the "game" route, but he should have realized that they were not in the same situation. Compton rapper, GAME, was signed directly to DR DRE, and just got linked with g-unit to get some buzz for his upcoming debut album(the documentary), back then in 2005; That is why game could get off that easy and still make music. Looking back, i think game did a pretty unbelievable thing going against 50, and not even having any of his label's backing.

As for buck, i feel the dude, and i like him, and i think he made the decision based on how frustrated an artist he was at the time. Think about it, how can you be a well known international rap artist, and yet you live on show money, and do not have much to call your own. The must of the cars you drive, and the chains you wear belong to the boss, 50. How can you be living to make someone Else's life better; that person being 50. I can remember buck saying he never got any check while he was at the unit, and the management at g-unit made some claims that he had made in excess of 10 million while with them.

I just feel for buck right now, because time is ticking, and the longer 50 holds him down, and stops him from putting out anything new, the more forgotten he would be. Hell, 50 himself doesn't even have the kind of clout he had from about 4 years ago.

But i have to say buck has to keep a low profile and think of the best actions to take before making a move. I remember seeing a movie where this girl wanted to run away from her mom cos the mom was always giving her a tough time, and this cop caught her and brought her back, and on the way to meet the mom, the cop told her this "you will live her, but make your move at the right time; not now, not like this". What that means is that buck would have thought of a better way to leave the u-nit and not by the outburst that got him to be stranded till date.

A couple of weeks ago, he dropped another diss attacking 50, LLOYD BANKS and TONY YAYO; and then a couple of days later, he is begging for a one on one with 50. He is hot and cold, he needs to sit down and plan how he can come out of his contract, whether he would have to drop the stipulated number of albums that are on the contract or find someone to buy him off, that is if 50 allows that.

I just wish him luck, cos after game left, he became my favorite on the unit.

BEST RAP ALBUM OF 2009.

There has been a lot of arguments, and a lot of list made concerning who had the best rap album for the year 2009. It might be a touchy subject to deal with because a lot of people want their favourite rapper to have the best album of any year it was dropped, but being objective, and basing your arguments on some facts, i think we can all reach a justifiable conclusion of who had the best rap album for the year 2009.

Let us first of all view all the rap albums that dropped this year, or rather, the major rap albums that dropped this year. In no particular other; BUSTA RHMYES- BACK ON MY B.S, EMINEM- RELAPSE, JADAKISS- THE LAST KISS, RICK ROSS- DEEPER THAN RAP, RED AND METH- BLACKOUT2, JAY-Z- BLUEPRINT 3, 50 CENT- BEFORE I SELF DESTRUCT, RAEKWON- ONLY BUILT FOR CUBAN LINX 2. These are the list of rap albums that i feel are notable enough to be mentioned on this list, and from this list, i want to touch on all the weakness greatness of each album.

Jadakiss- the last kiss
I have to commend jada on this one. I am a jadakiss fan, and i have followed his career from when he was with puff, in the group, the lox, to when he did his first solo album(kiss the game goodbye), and the second(kiss of death), and i can say that this is his must rounded album till date. I can say this album is the must complete. Unlike his fellow lox members, sheek louch and styes p, jadakiss has always been known to try the cross over appeal but still keeping it gangster, and it has not always come out well in the past, but i can say he pulled it off with this one. Another reason why this album is a great album, compared to his first two; he had a lot of lyrical display on his first album, but he also had like 4-5 songs that he tried to get the mass appeal, and it didn't come out well. Personally, i think if not for this, it would have been a better album, although it might not have sold as much as it did. Moving to the second album; he had a really nice intro, nice lyrical wordplay, then the next 2 songs, which i consider the worst songs on the entire album, drag the album back. It does not make it a good listen. But with this album, his third album, i think he mastered the formula, and it is great. The first track is fire, the second track is more fire, and even when he gets to the tracks where he tries the mass appeal formula, it clicked well for him. Other than one or two songs, i think this album is a masterpiece. He particularly impressed me on the pharell track; i thought he was going to do dumb down for the verses, but they are so appealing, and still on point.

RICK ROSS- DEEPER THAN RAP:

Rick ross is another rapper that impressed me, because i was thinking what he would have to rap about after just dropping an album(thriller) last year, but he pulled it off with this one, and had a lot of people, even his enemies, saying it was a wonderful album. I have a harsh rule for judging albums from their first three tracks, if you do not show me what you got, and i have to skip, then you are out of my list, but he came hard. The beats are point, the production is killer, and he does well on the verses. Before i heard this album, i didn't believe that rick ross hard the skill to flow continuous, over 32 bars without a hook, and still have me hooked. He killed it on the intro. I think this a very good album.


RAEKWON:

Before i heard this album, i heard it did better, in its first week in the itunes store, than jay-z's blueprint 3; this made me really interested in getting this album. I have always been a WU-TANG fan, and my personally favourites were GHOSTFACE, RAEKWON, METHODMAN and GZA, so i have always followed their career, but i was really surprised that rae's album was moving units. For one, the lead single was not on heavy rotation on radio, and the video was not being shown every 5 minutes on MTV, "so what made this album sell?", the answer was the quality. When you make good music, word of mouth would be your marketing tool, and before you know, your album would be flying off the rack. I finally got to listen to it, and i have to say it had that element, that rawness that rap has been missing; and good production as well. Rae has always been lyrical, so there is no contest on that part. I think is album is a genuine classic.


RED AND METH: BALCK OUT 2

I have to confess, this is the first sequel album that i would prefer to the first installation. I am a die-hard red man fan, and i have followed his career from the MALPRACTICE Album (i know you would say that is not far back enough), and the duo are just dynamite together, so i loved listening to their songs. With the first album, they had bigger singles "rockwilder".....and the album was cantered around that, the hit singles over shadowed the other tracks, but this one, every song is a hit. I put the cd in the player, and i didn't use the remote till the end. I was scared before i heard the album, that maybe meth would disappoint me, but he really surprised me, after all these years, these guys can still spit fire, i was really impressed.


50 cent- before i self destruct.

I do not know why 50 named this album "before i self destruct", i think that alone killed the potentials of the album becoming a hit. This album is seeing 50 at a nose dive in sales; but i do not really judge an album by record sales, in fact, after i heard "baby by me", i started having a good feeling about the album. The other single, "ok/all right", was nice too, even though he burrowed the style that eminem used on some songs on the relapse album, the song is still a good song. Over all, i think this album didn't really have a focus that was the weakness; he just tried all his old formulas, and put in some new tricks, hoping it would make the album move more units. I guess if you are in it just for the money, it would tell sooner or later; i guess that is the case with 50's fourth album.


RELAPSE.

I heard a lot of bad reviews about this album before i heard it, and when i did listen i was impressed, although it took me a while to listen, because i didn't like the new style/accent that eminem picked up. I was thinking he would get serious at this stage in his life, but he still goes comical. Asides from that, he is still one of the best, if not the best, with wordplay, lyrical manipulation. When you listen to his lyrics, you wonder how he thinks then up, and you always wonder where he gets the passion to deliver them the way he does. I think the album had good production all through.


JAY-Z- BLUEPRINT 3:

Before i talk about this album, i would like you to know that i am a nas fan, and even though he and nas have reconciled, i still have not taking likeness for jay, but i can't but like this album. This is the album that took jay the longest time in recording, and it came out well, very well infact. He killed it on the intro; that is a criteria for me, for a good album, and he showed that he can still rap. I think every single song on this album was recorded to perfection. Every song is a potential single. I think, asides from his first two albums, this one might be my best jay album. The first blueprint was cool, but "that nigga jigga", and "hola hovito" spoilt the tempo of the album for me. But with this one, every song is where it is supposed to be. For you to be more than 12 years in the game, and still spit like he did one the album, then he should be applauded. And you know producers, the finest producers, always have their best beats ready for jay, so you can say this album didn't lack good production. Infact, it had one of the best production, alongside rick ross's deeper than rap, in 2009.


BUSTA RHYMES- BACK ON MY B.S

I think your album is as good as your weakest song, and i think that is what killed busta on this one. He had a couple of songs that pulled the album down. He had great songs like "respect my conglomerate", and the song with ESTELLE, but i he tried to do too many things on this album, an it looked or sounded like a cd with a couple of busta songs just thrown together. It was not coherent.



THE BEST RAP ALBUM OF 2009:

Based on lyrical content, production, sales, over all delivery, i would give it to jay-z’s blueprint3. And trust me that was a hard one, because you know I am not particularly found of the guy, but you just have to give it to the man. His album is, as of the last week in December, has sold in excess of 1.4million in the u.s, coming behind eminem’s relapse(1.6mill) as the second highest selling rap album of 2009. I think that is impressive for the climate of hiphop, and for an artist dropping his 11th studio album. And even though eminem beat him out with about 200k, his album had more popularity; hit after hit, with ground breaking singles. I think it is only right we give it to him.