Ghostface Killah & Doom "Chinatown Wars"

I must admit that I like Ghostface Killah. I've blogged about his music on several occasions. What's not to like about Tony Starks? So when he's involved in a project, it gets my attention.

I don't do video games, not a personal boycott or anything, just not something I'm doing w/my spare time. But I will check out the music to video games. Yeah, sign me up for that. I saw Ghostface Killah's name attached to the latest installment of "Grand Theft Auto - Chinatown Wars". I got all excited.

What gets me more excited is hearing Doom. His voice is so grimy and bully-esque. Love his delivery and his lyrics will put most of the others to shame.

This track really jumps off and not surprisingly, it is produced by Oh No. The music is okay and there's a catchy hook, but it's the Ghostface/Doom tag team that distinguishes this one from all the rest. It's only three and a half minutes long and I wish it was just a bit longer.

Get ya game on hip hoppers, and your groove on too. kfox.

Mr. Lif "What About Us"

Don't you hate being left out? Being invisible? Mr. Lif comes correct on this track. Is he angry? that's not important, he's doing what rap music started out doing. He's talking about the disenfranchised; those who can't speak for themselves. This is the socially conscious hip hop that is missing from terrestial radio.

Now the beats are not so unique on "What About Us" and just as I'm getting into the track, it's over. But he's got the hook and he's got the message.

Check out this extended interview w/Mr. Lif on Okayplayer. There's a link to "What About Us" at the end of the article.

What ya think hip hoppers, are the days of socially conscious hip hop over? kfox.

J's Anthem "Queen"

Females emcees have come and gone in the world of hip hop. You can really name the best females in hip hop on one hand ... okay, two. That's not a diss, that's real. Sad, but true. And unfortunately the women just don't have staying power on the mic.

Enter J. She is rollin in strong. I like the vibe on her first track "Queen". It's edgy, heavy beats and lyrically - she's got the skills. The topic is one of old ... respectin/disrespectin women. Her words may fall on some deaf ears, but her presentation commands your attention.

I want to be more optimistic about her future ... let's say she comes correct w/her first project ... how long before her sophomore album and will she meet the pressure of her first project ... Yeah, I'm just a bit ahead of myself on this ... just make me settle down and enjoy the moment and stop trying to forecast her future. Right, right.

Get more on J:
Follow J on Twitter
Check out J on MySpace

Hip hoppers ... if you give more respect, you'll get more respect. kfox.

The Roots New Album "How I Got Over"

Well, I'm not the first to tell or the last to know, but The Roots will be releasing "How I Got Over" soon. Some say as early as June.

Here's the article from XXL w/some info about the project origin. This little article was tough for me to read.

• The Roots to release "How I Got Over" - article from XXL
  

A few weeks ago, I was making plans to go see The Roots in NYC @ the Highline Ballroom. I booked a flight, notified my friends, got all hyped. But I did not book tix to the show and guess what? It sold out - as stated in the article. Yeah, I'm still a bit surly about that one.

• Also, check out this little blurb from Okayplayer about The Roots new album
  

Meanwhile, I'm still supporting the fellas and sharing the love w/all the hip hoppers. kfox.

Video: Zion I "Geek to the Beat"

There's nothing like a video to take my focus off the lyrics. This video by Zion I is the perfect example of my theory. This vid has a bit of weirdness to it. It's one of those videos where there is no apparent connection, at least not from my first, second and third views of the video.

Still I like that it is not the same ole, same ole. Can you take a peek and let me know what you think? That would be nice hip hoppers. kfox.


Zion I "Geek To The Beat" from Okayplayer on Vimeo.

Rock the Bells 2009 Line-up Announced

The Rock the Bells Festival line-up has been announced. It's a wowser. Now, before you get super duper hyped, please know that not all of the artists will appear at each and every tour stop. Yeah slow ya roll, son ...

But the line-up is bangin. If you even get a third of who's listed, it will be all good.

So here's how it's lookin:
Nas
Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley
The Roots
Common
Big Boi
KRS-One
House of Pain
Tech N9ne
K'Naan
RZA
Raekwon
Sage Francis
M.O.P.
Slaughterhouse
Eyedea & Abilities
Necro
Slum Village
+ more + surprise performances

Hip hoppers, you need to get your hustle on and start tucking away parts of your unemployment check ... oh, and you should have a 'plan b' too. kfox.

Hip Hop is Global :: Los Aldeanos

The beauty of hip hop is that it's the voice of the people. It's the stories of underrepresented communities. That's what you get w/Los Aldeanos.

Check out the duo in this long form video. Love the beat. Love to hear them speak in detail about their passion for hip hop. I only watched this video, but I am anxious to check out the rest of their project. Nice vid too. Thanks for the subtitles.

See full report...

• Check out Los Aldeanos on MySpace
• Los Aldeanos on Wikipedia
  

Hip hoppers, even if you can't get out of your hood, you can be inspired by someone else's ... kfox.