The new joint from Common

Okay, so I got the single in the mail from Common. It is called "The People" and it is produced by Kanye West. The full disk is titled "Finding Forever". I think the full release is set for July, but I could be wrong. Meanwhile, "The People" is just okay. It is a very safe single and I did not find much uniqueness in the song. The song is still so much better than most of the mainstream hip hop that is played on the radio.



There does, however, seem to be some hype behind the next single. "The Game" will allegedly saturate the universe within the next week. But, of course, you can find it on YouTube along with this interview.

I really like Common's music. I am certain that I am not his biggest fan because there are some folks who are just more fanatical about him than I am. But I do enjoy his music and what he stands for. I listen to "Be" quite a bit. "The Corner" is my jam. "It's Your World" is also a fav. And though a lot people like "Go!," I do not like it, rather I don't like the lyrical content, but I really like the uptempo beats.

So my anticipation for "Finding Forever" is high. I don't like to have expectations before hearing a project. That way I'm not as let down if it's not so good. But Common will come through ... I am certain of that.

Hip hoppers, find some good music and share the love ... kfox!

DJ Jazzy Jeff

I am really digging this new DJ Jazzy Jeff disk. "The Return of the Magnificent" is packed w/jams. Some have an old school feel and others are just blantantly banging!

Some of the guests include Peedi Peedi (he's dropped some lines on some Roots projects that are just killah); Method Man, Black Ice, Big Daddy Kane, Jean Grae ...

I'll try to give details later, but if you have a clue, you'll be telling me the details, right? Oh, but there is one cut called "Practice" f/J Live and it also samples the infamous press conference w/Allen Iverson where he is talking about practice ... classic.

Watch your back hip hoppers (and watch your front too), kfox

Yo, peep this ...

There has been some buzz on the upcoming Pharoahe Monch project. So peep this "What It Is" off of Desire, in stores June 26th.

**photo courtesy of Emimusicpub.com

Get your Hip Hop On!

So, it is true that I missed all of the hip hop shows in Cleveland over the past few weeks. I really wanted to peep the Brother Ali show. But don't dispair because if you are true hip hop fan, you not only checked out the Rhymesayers crew, but you also sat in on the El-P/Definitive Jux set. And there is more on the horizon; that's right, it is time to get your hip hop on:

~The Underground Nation: Darren Anthony, T-Mates and Therlbread~
On Thursday, May 17, 2007
@ the Beachland Ballroom
15711 Waterloo Road
@ 8 p.m.
Tix are $5 in adv; $8 @ the door ... call 216.383.1124

~Lifesavas and Strange Fruit Project~
On Thursday, May 17, 2007
@ the Grog Shop
2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights
@ 9 p.m.
Tix are $10 ... call 216.241.5555

~The Ill Disciples~
On Friday, May 18, 2007
@ the Agora Theatre & Ballroom
5001 Prospect Avenue
@ 8:30 p.m.
Tix are $6 ... call 216.241.5555

~Slum Village~
On Sunday, June 3, 2007
@ the Grog Shop
2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights
@ 9 p.m.Tix are $12 ... call 216.241.5555

~Peanut Butter Wolf DJ Set~
On Wednesday, June 20, 2007
@ B-Side
2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights
@ 9 p.m.Tix are $10 ... call 216.241.5555

~Sage Francis and Buck 65~
On Wednesday, July 11, 2007
@ the Grog Shop
2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard in Cleveland Heights
@ 9 p.m.
Tix are $15 ... call 216.241.5555

The Changing Face of Hip Hop

Every so often I post the hip hop charts from WMCO. New hip hop music makes it way to my office on a weekly basis. Some of it stands out from the pack, some of it is judged by its cover (and the judgment is usually accurate). But the point is, the music is new and the charts are always changing ...

So here goes :: this week's badasses!

My favs are DJ Vadim, Sage Francis, and Red Cloud; fav never to make the list: Gutterfly.

1
EL-P
I'll Sleep When You're Dead
Definitive Jux
2
J DILLA
Ruff Draft
Stones Throw
3
DJ VADIM
The Sound Catcher
BBE
4
WAX TAILOR
Hope And Sorrow
Decon
5
BROTHER ALI
The Undisputed Truth
Rhymesayers
6
MOVE.MEANT
The Scope Of Things
Wax Paper
7
GABRIEL TEODROS
Lovework
Massline
8
SAGE FRANCIS
Human The Death Dance
Epitaph
9
REDCLOUD
Hawthorne's Most Wanted
Syntax
10
BUSDRIVER
RoadKillOvercoat
Epitaph

Dream on and aim high ... kfox!