Lou Tully Presents..."Encounters"

Lock up your daughters, mothers, sisters and nieces. Lou Tully of the Bugs Raleigh crew has released his debut mixtape "Encounters" just in time for Christmas. Hit up LouTully.com for a free download of this absolute masterpiece. Click on the images to reach the download site.

Why worry about what's under the tree when you have something under your nose? Wake up and smell the fucking coffee, this mixtape is the tits and the ass.

Bugs Raleigh Banned From Venue For Life

Saturday, December 12, 2009: a day that will live in infamy and folklore throughout the Richmond area. Despite an epic performance as impromptu headliners, Bugs Raleigh finds themselves persona non grata, receiving a lifetime ban from The Triple on West Broad street after "bug bombing" the venue.

Originally billed as a mixtape release party for The Last Emporer, Bugs Raleigh was thrust into the role of headlining act due to a transportation snafu that prevented The Last Emporer from making it to the performance. The roster of performers was shuffled and a last minute addition was made, delaying the start time, but building hype around the Bugs Raleigh set. Rumors began swirling that Bugs Raleigh was bringing a veritable hit squad of lyrical mercenaries that included not just the trio of Lou Tully, Chungo Rock and Zach Breezy, but the likes of Sloppy Joe, Injer, Oso Negro, and a highly anticipated reunion with Sensei Mirage.

What followed next will never be done justice by words alone.

The show kicked off with Elevate Music, promoting a release of their own, performing a solid set that began to energize the crowd. That made way for the last minute addition of Black Liquid, a gritty MC with an unparalleled hype man. As Black Liquid performed songs about going to sleep and never waking up and drinking strictly Hurricane, his well-dressed, gesticulating, professional wrestling-esque hype man did standing front flips, jumping splits and hoisted a heavyweight championship belt above his head.

Then came Pravda.

How can I describe this....

Pravda is like the deformed hunchback from the movie 300. He's loyal to the cause, but just can't do it. After a room-clearing performance, he attempted to close his set with a track that included crowd involvement. Unfortunately, Pravda offended Oso Negro before the song even got underway with a slighting comment to people with GEDs. Oso emerged front and center with a mic in his hand. A battle ensued. It went something like this:

Oso got on Pravda's final beat. Oso then ate Pravda's breakfast, lunch and dinner. The end.

After order was restored, the time came for Bugs Raleigh to take over. Per usual, the set started off with a banger, and the tone was set for the rest of the night. Songs with back and forths, posse cuts and dub step freestyles overran the venue as Bugs Raleigh and Sloppy Joe could not be contained. Everyone got in the mix as the finale approached. "Popeye" aka "Spinach Squad" barely got underway when a fog machine engulfed The Triple to the point where you couldn't see the hand in front of you. Deemed a safety hazard, the owner shut the place down, cutting Bugs Raleigh off a song short.

Heated arguments ensued between promoters, participants and the ownership as people were forced to leave. A Disco Stu look-a-like, a mock heavyweight champ, and a roughly 11-foot tall man were the highlights of the dispersing crowd as Brandon Fisher projectile vomited, creating a rainy, puke mine field at The Triple's entrance.

The after party moved to the house of Mr. Mason Jones, who spun till daybreak. The morning only brought a greater resolve to do it all again.

Although it may be impossible to recreate what occurred that night, it sure as hell won't go without giving it a try.

Watch out for the devil.

Sensei Mirage, ninja vanish.

Music Now: Everything Bugs Raleigh and Sloppy Joe have ever created.

Future Connection?

DC is tight. Philly is tight. Maybe the two can mix in the form of a Bugs Raleigh/Writtenhouse show?

Writtenhouse interview and performance

Writtenhouse performing live in Rittenhouse Square

How Hard is Rihanna?

Apparently, so hard. But her new song seems to have an all-too-similar beat cadence to Young Joc's "I Know You See It."

Rihanna feat. Young Jeezy-"Hard"

Young Joc-"I Know You See It"

National Geographic International Photography Contest

Amazing Photos. Here's a couple but check out the rest, there sick. Nat Geo

This Town Is Coming Like a Ghost Town

Found this article on modern day ghost towns around the world. Good article, great pictures, check it out.

Abandoned Places

Time to Understand the HORROR!

Just came across what looks to be an artistic slaughterhouse of gruesome proportions. Artists John Cammisa and Jonah Birns have unveiled a collaborative, interactive exhibit entitled Dead of the Living Night that is inspired by childhood nightmares and cheesy horror cinema. If you find yourself in the Philly area, this definitely looks worth checking out (Marson i'm looking in your direction). If the following description from the website doesn't convince you then I give up:

The multimedia installation is housed inside a monolithic black room. Inside, viewers will snake through the horror/sci-fi section of a video store that pays homage to the filmic origins which drew the artists in and planted a lifetime pre-occupation with disturbing, uncanny and humorous images. Original VHS tapes line the walls in the dark, cramped hallway, a single bulb hanging overhead. In the adjoining room an interactive "magic beast" ride allows people the fantasy of flying on the back of a giant, movable creature. You are taken through the clouds into space and then the beyond. Outside, an old television set sits atop a stack of life-sized monster corpses, playing a video where high-speed editing and tongue-in-cheek cuts splice together gore and terror, assaulting you to the point of absurdity. Lining the gallery walls hang posters created from images in the books.

c'mon there's a fucking interactive magic beast. sold.

http://www.deadofthelivingnight.com/

Reflection Eternal Returns

Via his Twitter page a couple weeks ago, Talib Kweli revealed he and Hi-Tek were putting the finishing touches on a new Reflection Eternal album. Here they are, live and together again, with new music.

Also via Twitter, 9th Wonder announced he hosted a listening party for MF Doom's new album in (Bugs) Raleigh, North Carolina.

Be on the lookout for both.

Talb Kweli and Hi-Tek are Reflection Eternal again

Meek Mill Is Back

Philadelphia's biggest up and coming artist is free and back to taking over Philly radio.

Meek Mill, poised to break out last year, has gotten back in the studio after serving a stint in jail. After finding local success in Philly, Meek Mill signed with T.I.'s Grand Hustle Records last year, only to find himself behind bars on weapons charges in connection with a shootout in Philadelphia. He has teamed up with producer Jahlil, and an album will be coming out soon. His first single, "Make Em Say" is already getting steady play.

He's got some gangsta, he's got some lyrics, he's got some hooks. He's got a little something.

"Make Em Say"
"So Fly"
"In My Bag"

Why Is This Popular?

Why are these dork glasses popular with some of the biggest names out? Pictured here are Pharrell, Kanye West and Jay-Z. LeBron James also sports these specs as well as various personalities that MTV has decided to make popular. Stop. Go away. You look like a fucking dickhead.

Travis Barker is on the Scene

There is no exact date of when Travis Barker transitioned from Blink-182 drummer to rap music collaborator and remixer, but he's been popping up all over. Arguably the best drummer/percussionist around, dude brings the goods every time he steps out of the gate.

Travis Barker Remixes:
"Forever"-Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Eminem
"3 a.m."-Eminem
"Dope Boys"-The Game feat. Rick Ross

And appearing in:
"Ridin'Rims"-Dem Franchise Boyz

Wale+The Roots=Tight

Wale's "Attention Deficit" album dropped yesterday and it is tight. Get it somehow and listen to it, you will be thankful you did. To promote the album, Wale performed on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" with an assist from The Roots, including a verse from Black Thought.

"Ugly girls be quiet! Pretty girls, clap, clap like this..."

Wale feat. The Roots-"Pretty Girls"

Clarks Unveils New Hotness

Everyone knows Clarks' shoes are the shit. Wallabees are classics and Clarks dress shoes are dope and stylish. The desert boot, pictured here, is next in line of being hotter than anything you've got.

Evolution of MP3 Players

I remember walking down to Zach's basement in middle school and him introducing me to this great music sharing network called Napster. It never registered to me that music could be taken from the computer and permanently transferred to a mobile device for listening wherever you wanted. Not only have MP3 players been invented, we have now gone through a decade of them. NPR put together a slide show from the first one made in July 2000, to today's all-in-one devices.

NPR-"A Decade of MP3 Players"

A Collabo I Didn't Expect

It's part hip hop, part soul, part rock 'n roll. Mos Def has been in this territory before, but I didn't expect Jim Jones to get on the track. It's worth the three and a half minutes of your time.

Blakroc feat. Mos Def and Jim Jones-"Ain't Nothing Like You"

U2 Gets A Hand From Jay-Z

In a live performance, Jay-Z is featured in a special verse on "Sunday Bloody Sunday" with U2. He and Bono finish the song off together in a progressive moment of substance.

U2 feat. Jay-Z-"Sunday Bloody Sunday"

Taking It Back

Easily the best video game theme song ever made.

Take a trip down memory lane.

Grand Theft Auto Original Theme--"Joyride" by Da Shootaz

Rugged Man vs. Mayweather

A heated discussion between Hip Hop legend R.A. The Rugged Man and Pretty Boy Floyd Money Mayweather.

R.A. The Rugged Man vs. Floyd Mayweather

Triple Threat Triumvirate

Three great MCs in the cipher, as Mos Def, Black Thought and Eminem came up huge for the BET awards. Each MC killed it.

Mos Def, Black Thought and Eminem BET cipher 2009

A Tale of Two Cities

The World Series is about to jump off and hip hop is getting it in.

New York vs. Philadelphia.

Yankees vs. Phillies.

Broadway vs. Broad Street.

Cheesecakes vs. Cheesesteaks.

Now Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" featuring Alicia Keys has been remixed by a Philly MC named NeeKo, entitled "Ill State of Mind." If you know anything about Philly, the references are crazy.

Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys "Empire State of Mind"

NeeKo "Ill State of Mind"

EXTREME PUMPKINS!!!

It's that time of year again. Time to carve faces into orange gourds. However, this year you need to step your carve game up or fall back. Extreme pumpkins. Are you ready?

WWW.EXTREMEPUMPKINS.COM

EXTREME!

The Wackness

For a long time, I have searched for hip-hop-influenced movies, but have found them few and far between. Last week, I believe I found the next great one, in the same ilk as "Kids" and "Black and White."

"The Wackness" has a very simple message: you only focus on the wackness of things, you need to focus on the dopeness. In a bizarre way, this story is relatable, despite being pretty far out there.

The setting is Manhattan, 1994. The Wu-Tang Clan and Notorious B.I.G. are breaking out in the hip hop scene. Recent high school graduate, Luke Shapiro, is enjoying his final summer before college, making money by selling weed and chasing after the girl of his dreams. The problem is the girl is the step-daughter of his psychotherapist who gives him free sessions in exchange for weed. As everyone's lives continuously fall apart, Shapiro experiences his first broken heart as the girl toys with him until it's time to leave for school.

With a killer soundtrack and cameos by Method Man and Mary-Kate Olsen, "The Wackness" brings 80s babies back to a simpler time in our youth where the memories are still so vivid.

"The Wackness" movie trailer

Cloud Gangs "The Show"

Discovery Channel recently added a new show on storm chasers. From the preview it looks like a lot of bad ass cloud gangs will be represented.
Storm Chasers

Also for more amazing pictures of cloud gangs in action check out this site.
extremeinstability

Underground Down Under

Seldom do musical groups from overseas find success in the United States, let alone from the genre of hip hop. The Hilltop Hoods, an Australian group, haven't found their success in America yet, but they have been holding down the Outback for years. In a breath of fresh air, Hilltop doesn't rap about crack, guns, violence or cars. Instead, they focus on what they know, namely going out, getting drunk and having fun with their friends. I know it sounds both hokie and remedial, but catchy accents, blended with guitar- and didgeridoo-infused beats lend themselves to easy listening. Here are a few of the favorites.

Hilltop Hoods:

"Nosebleed Section"

"Recapturing the Vibe"

"Roll On Up"

"Clown Prince"

"Breathe"

"Dumb Enough"

"What A Great Night"

"The Sentinel"

Che Guevara Eyes

On September 25thTed Loza, Ward One Councilmember Jim Graham’s Chief of Staff, was arrested on bribery charges. Reading local articles accusing Loza of taking bribes and free trips to Ethiopia really brought me back to that front desk when I used to think I was making a difference working for Graham. I remember Loza working vehemently to procure a ticket to Addis Ababa as the Council was going into their summer recess. It seemed like Graham just snapped his fingers and whatever he needed could be accomplished with brief phone calls. Former Constituent Services Director Jeff Jennings would always urge me to use the name of the office. “It’s a weapon.”
When Loza returned with Graham, his mentor joked about a woman in a sexy red dress that Ted met on his last night in Ethiopia (Graham must have been feeling extra open on this day because he also referred to me as his pet and motioned for me to sit next to him).No question Ted is a womanizer and a smarmy individual, but he learned a lot from Grahamzilla. Similar to Immigration Custom Enforcement raids, police banged on Loza’s door late in the evening waking his family and neighbors. Loza is not a U.S. citizen and is an advocate for immigrant rights. Although this is a corrupt individual working within an exploitative system, he is still a victim of racism. He took a $1,500 bribe from the taxi cab commission, while Jim Graham dishes out money from his constituent service fund for important community tasks like helping Kimberly Johnson, his former scheduler, move. If anything authorities should come to Graham’s apartment to question him about his activities in Paraguay and El Salvador and the many pictures of young boys in his home. Ask him why live GoGo can’t be played at several Ward One establishments. Ask him why Washington’s economic development strength translates to a higher poverty level than we had two years ago.
I remember being told to break out of my hip-hop mentality by Fernando Rivero, the legislative counsel at the time. I bumped into him in the street and said “Hey Shorty!”
This five foot-man looked back at me in anger and yelled “Stop acting like a low-class nigger!”
I admit what I said was insensitive, but it didn’t warrant that kind of malicious response. The next day he called me to his office for an awkward exchange. He said he only used the word 3 times in his life. I called him a liar and a racist as I walked out of his office.
I waited until Graham had a small window of time to speak with me about the matter. When he told me that I must have said something to upset him, my mouth dropped a little. He was defending the racism even though it was closeted. I explained that I didn’t mean to hurt any feelings when I jabbed him with Shorty, but calling me a nigger was just hateful. Graham continued to condescendingly congratulate me on alienating myself from everybody in the office.
During and after the talk my eyes kept darting from Graham’s to those of Che which belonged to a signed Alberto Korda portrait that hung in Graham’s office.
When I decided to write my letter of resignation I thought that Che would also have alienated himself from these people who were using the name of a public official for access to sports game tickets, trips abroad, gym memberships, free meals from some of the city’s most expensive restaurants and the list goes on. I thanked them for the opportunity and an education I couldn’t have recieved anywhere else.

Introducing David Sides

There's always something impressive about someone who can play the piano. David Sides is someone who looks classically trained, but can do piano covers of just about any rap song you've ever heard. Below are some of my favorites. He somehow manages to take the factory-like, mass produced feel out of the songs he performs and replaces it with skill. Think John Legend, just without vocals. Check it out.

David Sides covers:
Fat Joe-"Make It Rain"
Sean Paul-"We Be Burnin'"
Rihanna-"Umbrella"
T-Pain-"Buy U A Drank"
Game/Kanye West-"Wouldn't Get Far"
Drake-"Best I Ever Had"

And for an encore:
Kings of Leon-"Use Somebody"

Introducing Ronald Jenkees

Hello CloudGangs!! If you have not discovered the whimsical wizardry of rocking out on a keyboard, allow me to introduce you to Ronald Jenkees. Known for his trademark, "Hello YouTubes!" to open his YouTube videos, Jenkees has acquired quite a following. Most of his videos have surpassed three million hits each, some more than five million. He has gained recognition in the sports world, as he created the opening theme to Bill "The Sports Guy" Simmons' ESPN Podcast and melded a beat with Washington Redskins' wide receiver Malcolm Kelly's freestyle after winning the Big 12 championship while in college. He's a quirky-looking individual, but the music he makes will blow you away. Feel free to get inspired and make some music of your own.

"'disorganized fun' on a REALLY REALLY fun beat!!"
"Throwing Fire"
"stay crunchy"
"A fun beat from outer space (an experimental improv jam)"
"messin with guitar sound"

Revival Vis-a-vie Raekwon

As previously pointed out by Zach B, hip hop has been resuscitated by the recent Raekwon release, "Only Built For Cuban Linx 2," as well as soon-to-come Wu-Tang Clan productions. While hip hop was presumed dead, Rae saved the day. While I presumed music videos were dead, Rae saved the day again. "House of Flying Daggers" as a song is enough to stand by itself. The video to go with it puts it over the top.

Raekwon-"House of Flying Daggers" featuring Inspectah Deck, GZA, Ghostface Killah and Method Man

Bugs On The Web

For those not in the know yet, please be advised your favorite musical group has entered the YouTube arena. In addition to the MySpace profile, www.myspace.com/bugsraleigh, Bugs Raleigh is now available via the Bugs Raleigh YouTube channel. All 19 tracks off the "Right On Time" mixtape are online for your listening enjoyment, as well as the opportunity to interact with the group and get the latest on upcoming performance dates.

For those who survive on Blackberries and iPhones, or if you prefer e-mail in general, Bugs Raleigh can be contacted at bugsraleigh@gmail.com

Ratings, comments, and feedback are always appreciated. Thank you for checking it out, I hope you have the best day of your life.

Suckers, Punchlines and Sucker Punches

Absurd battle between Tubesteak and Metaphor. Terrible rhymes, but someone gets dealt with.

Tubesteak vs. Metaphor

Stars Align: AZ Meets Cookin Soul

I'm usually not a fan of any remix, but I have found an exception to my disdain. My favorite MC of all time, AZ, has had some of his classics remixed by Cookin Soul. Check the original and then peep the Cookin Soul version. Decide for yourself.

"The Come Up"
"The Come Up (Cookin Soul Remix)"

"Never Change"
"Never Change (Cookin Soul Remix)"

"New York" featuring Nas, Jay-Z, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah
"New York (Cookin Soul Remix)" featuring Nas, Jay-Z, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah

Rugged Man Rundown

R.A. The Rugged Man does love you. In fact, you should love him back. Let me give you examples why. Below is a list of songs off the beaten path that you wouldn't find by getting in your car and turning on WPGC. I love DC and I enjoy WPGC, just not when I hear Rihanna sing about running this town for the thirteenth time that day.

R.A. The Rugged Man's lessons for the day:

"Diablos" feat. Celph Titled

"Super"

"Give It Up" feat. Wu-Tang Clan and J-Live

"King of the Underground"

"Stanley Kubrick"

Add those to the classics of "Chains" and "3 Kings" (posted in an earlier entry) and you will begin to have a small collection of an all-timer.

R.A. The Rugged Man Loves You

R.A. the Rugged Man has a few choice words for music critics, bigots, corny rappers, idiots, label executives, Eminem and Barack Obama. He also has a new album dropping soon on Nature Sounds. Listen and hear.

R.A. Speaks

R.A. Speaks Again

808s and Douchequeefs

Before I begin, would Kanye West like to come up and say anything? You fucking prick. Cloud Gangs is one of the best blogs of all time, OF ALL TIME!!

I don't need to tell you the back story, everyone knows Kanye stormed on stage and took over Taylor Swift's acceptance speech during MTV's VMA show.

What was behind him doing it is a different story. Was he drunk? Kanye was seen swigging cognac before the show. Was he doing it for the Roc? Beyonce is Jay-Z's wife. Was he doing it for publicity? Everyone and their mother is talking about it right now, myself included. Was he just being a jackass? Possibly, he's been known to be a bitch when it comes to award shows. Was it something deeper?

Kanye was scheduled to perform on the first episode of the Jay Leno show last night with Jay-Z and Rihanna. He asked if he could come on before the performance for an interview and an apology. While it appeared heartfelt, it also appeared to come from a darker place. When Leno asked Kanye what his deceased mother would have thought of his actions, he froze, remained silent, choked up and covered his face. He diverted from the question and said after this incident, he needed to take time off and address the loss, which he hasn't allowed himself to do yet.

While I wish Kanye well, and hope he can continue to share his talent at the highest level, I also hope he takes this opportunity to step back and get a better perspective on life. Of course I am making assumptions and have never met him, but his on-screen persona seems to be caught up in the wrong places. He focuses too much on ratings, numbers, money, awards and critics. He has tried to come on a conscience tip, addressing blood and conflict diamonds; an underground tip, as a hard-luck producer who never got a shot to rhyme; a social misfit, hyping his uncertain rise to fame as a college dropout; a fashion icon, with venetian-blind sunglasses and pastel-colored shirts; a visionary, dropping his usual routine for auto-tune and 808s; now embodying the status of heir apparent to Jay-Z's Roc Nation dynasty, he is temporarily sidelining his cocky, running-the-game mentality for a remorseful, introspective, conflicted individual who plays Zeus at award shows.

He has tried to reinvent himself more than Madonna, and he's only been around since 2004. His diva act needs to lay on the guillotine and he needs to make up his mind as to who he really is. He has too much talent to alienate so many people in a business where collaborations are his best work.

Get well soon, but until then, this one is for you: music now- Ice-T "99 Problems"

Homeless helper. Beautiful.

Brian Barneclo

Battle for the Top Spot

Hip hop culture is pervasive, it crosses multiple boundaries as well as different genres of music. I love hip hop, I love the music, the fashion, the lifestyle and how far it reaches in American society. One of the truest forms of hip hop, and one of my favorite aspects, is the battle scene. Nothing combines the maxims of original hip hop like a good battle. There are lyrics, punchlines, crowd reactions and money on the line, all in a quest to prove you are better than your competitor.

Today's pop culture of radio bullshit has pushed lyrics to the side, in favor of gimmicks, processed beats and follow-along YouTube dances. In turn, battling, predicated on lyrical content, has moved to the underground circuit. While it remains outside of the mainstream, there is still a large following for battle MCs, enough that there is competition for where you can find the best battle scene.

Based on Internet hits and the amount of MCs in each camp, there appear to be three circuits in the running for best battles: Smack, Grind Time and Fight Klub.

Smack has a sterling reputation for being a big stepping stone that can lead to MCs getting deals. It is well known in the rap community and therefore you see a lot of A-list artists doing promos on the DVDs. It is a barber shop mainstay, where many MCs begin building a name and some get too embarassed to ever recover. Originally a DVD franchise, Smack is making the transition to new media, popping up on YouTube and continuing battles than can be seen in a more widespread fashion.

Grind Time is a West-coast-based outfit, putting "Fresh coast" artists on the map. Assisted by WorldStarHipHop.com, Grind Time has loads of talent that you've never heard of, but classic lyrics and punchlines. Already an Internet-based production, Grind Time has a strong following and could produce the next big thing that the West coast desperately needs.

Fight Klub is an MTV production, that has carried over into the YouTube spectrum where its has seen an extended life. The desolate MTV2 had a good thing going with Fight Klub, but with no one getting the channel, ratings were not at a premium. Fight Klub draws big names and has classic battles, and thanks to the Internet, it can still be enjoyed by battle enthusiasts.

Experience samples for yourself and decide who is best.

Smack:
Iron Solomon vs. Math
Jin vs. Verse
Serius Jones vs. Murda Mook

Grind Time:
Dumbfoundead vs. The Saurus
Reverse Live vs. Dizaster
F.L.O. vs Dumbfoundead

Fight Klub:
Serius Jones vs. Jin
Jin vs. Iron Solomon
Big Ace vs. Serius Jones

Wu Tang Clan

Seems the Wu's has been at work. They dropped their Chamber Music release on June 30th and although technically not a Wu Tang album with Meth, Gza and Masta Killa missing, the album still manages to conjure up the Wu allure of old. Transforming New York hip hop into a mystical and enchanted experience while still coming raw as a motherfucker. Listen to Track 4 "Harbor Masters" with Ghostface, Deck, and AZ. and Track 6 "Radiant Jewels" with Raekwon, Cormega, and Sean P. Then there's the new new Reakwon The Purple Tape: Only Built for Cuban Link 2. This gem has been in the works for 14 years since the last OBFCL came out in 95'. A lot of people questioned whether it would ever come out. Well it did.... and its vicious. Rae strayed away from Wu only production and went with Dilla, Pete Rock, and even Marly Marl to name a few. Of course they get the Rza in mix on the Inspecta Deck featured Black Mozart. Check out the song "Surgical Gloves" for some classic Rae material. Now on to the kicker. Ghostface dropping another fucking full length album. Slated for a September 29th release date the Wizard of Poetry should be an interesting compilation of music. It is from what I understand a full length R and B tape with Ghostface collaborating with names like John Legend, Lloyd, and DC's own Raheem “Radio” DeVaugh, . Check out the preview for the first video.................. "Stapleton Sex"

Rip Big Babby Jesus

Its Yours : Wu

Thoughts On The Kid

Outside of America's favorite Canadian, Drake, Kid Cudi arguably has the biggest buzz in hip-hop music right now thanks mainly to his catchy-bordering-on-obnoxious hooks, production collabos with talented artists not necessarily associated with hip-hop (The Crookers, Ratatat, etc.), and impeccable connections within the game (he was one of only a couple guest stars on Kanye's 808s and Heartbreak). Kid Cudi is clearly a talented guy and he knows how to craft a good song, but does he really have the lyrical chops to make a serious footprint in hip-hop history? He's got the electro-influenced party songs down to a science but when he tries to get profound it usually comes off as being, well.....not. The more I listen the more I fucks with dude but I also keep thinking that most of the time he is not really saying a damn thing and if his production weren't so on point his lyrics would come off as seriously corny. Part of what I don't get is this whole space cadet craze going on with him and Wayne and some others. Why are you a martian? The shit is not really that mindblowingly creative or otherworldly. Andre 3000 might be a martian. Jay Electronica, Cee-Lo, and Aesop Rock most likely come from other planets. Kid Cudi is just another cool kid that raps about clubbing and smoking weed. That being said, maybe there's nothing wrong with that or maybe he's just been bullshitting on his mixtapes and the album will shut my ass up. I can definitely get down with the Kid, but I leave it up to the listeners whether the hype is overblown or not. The single off his debut Man on the Moon features Ratatat and MGMT and I just can't argue with that. Embrace the Martian. Or don't. Either way, i recommend you download this track.

Kid Cudi feat. MGMT and Ratatat - The Pursuit of Happiness

He Had A Great Revelation...

I don't subscribe to any particular organized religion but if Christianity really wanted to convince me to join its ranks it would send out recordings of Sister Gertrude Morgan as opposed to raging soapbox fanatics (like the ones going off on Broad St. last night who were literally on a soapbox of some kind). Sister Gertrude Morgan was born in 1900 in Lafayette, Alabama and at age 38 supposedly heard the voice of God tell her to start preaching the Word and painting it as well. One of her more famous paintings was of her and Jesus flying in an airplane, which was a companion piece to her poem "Jesus Is My Air Plane". In the early 1970s she recorded a gospel record entitled "Let's Make a Record" and her recordings were recently remixed by Philadelphia DJ and producer King Britt. Morgan had a powerful, haunting voice and this is raw spiritual music of the highest order. For your consideration, mind, body, and soul. Shake em up and wake em up.

Sister Gertrude Morgan - New World in My View (King Britt Remix)

Sister Gertrude Morgan - Power (Voodoo Version)

Best Friend Request

Relax your mind, let your conscience be free. You're now chillin' with your crew at BFD. Crack open a Pabst Blue Ribbon, pick up your cooler, even feel free to take off your pants as you navigate your way through a haze of smoke, an aura of debauchery, and a culture of good will drenching the landscape more than the mud from the torrential rainstorms inching up your legs. It's Best Friends Day in Richmond, Va. where the only word you won't hear throughout the day is, "no." Your day will become whatever you want it to be, just make sure your inner circle is there to enjoy it with you.

Waiting in the multi-mile-long backup to get in, the double entendre of BFD immediately sets in. Best Friends Day is a big fucking deal. Seeing the masses for the first time as you walk up the hill is a sight to behold. Live music hits you, the crowd roars, flesh is exposed and the mood only intensifies as the Heavens open. The aquatic activity is only a brief respite between musical performances as lines form to do back flips off rope swings into the pools with slides and trampolines.

After a quick dip, it's time to catch some of Richmond's hottest acts. Gull, a mask-wearing, jam session aficionado who plays drums and guitar at the same time, had spectators swinging from the rafters and mosh pits knocking over speakers. Before the mood could subside, No B.S. Brass Band took the stage with a trombone-laced cover of "Thriller" that had the entire crowd re-creating the dance in the mud. Take the girl off your shoulders, grab a bratwurst, and get back to the cooler for more brew. Six beers, a basketball game, and a water volleyball match later, it's time to step into the cipher and string some rhymes together about what you're feeling at the moment. Grab another beer, snap a few photos with some people getting naked, then step back and take in the paradox of the sun coming out just in time for sunset.

Future plans are on the mind as the after party is the next triumph. The beer is gone, so it's time for us to be as well. We pack up the stuff and make our way back to the truck. As I dry off my borrowed pair of duck shorts, the crew hops in the back and I know I have experienced what I am feeling right here and now. These are the times you miss, because these are the days you live for.

Appropriately with Wu Tang's Raekwon in town, I too got with a sick tight clique and went all out. Fuck the kitchen, Bugs was in Richmond.

Music now: R.A. the Rugged Man, Kool G Rap, Big John-"3 Kings"

got a show and you should come.

its part of the educated consumers tour if it hits your city you should go

http://www.myspace.com/bugsraleigh

http://www.myspace.com/educatedconsumers

music now - murs - everything

British Hip Hop

When it comes to music there is no powerhouse country like England, they have given us such great acts like the Beatles, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd; it has even been argued they they are responsible for the birth of punk. However there has been one music where they have fallen short. Hip Hop. Now England has been known for producing great bands that have taken the soul sound and brought it to new levels of recognition. I recently came across a video that documents the emerging British hip hop scene (mostly if not all from London) and I noticed that the same thing was happening; they were taking something that Americans had started and copying it. Up until the last part of the movie I noticed there was a cookie cutter American flavor to their hip hop scene, everything was the same as in New York even the accents while rapping. I was begging to lose hope and respect until the 24 minute mark in the film where a rapper by the name of Bionic from the London Posse starts to explain his style. He says " I use my cockney accent I don't rap in an American accent, that's whats keeping English people back." I started to think about how English rap has progressed since and if it even has at all. Of course most people by now know of Dizzy Rascal, the English born sensation that has adapted the jungle and drum and bass sounds of English electro and used it to excel in what is known today as grime. Another scene that has been emerging out of the north of England is a music called Donk which seems distinctly English with very little hip hop influence. I myself am a hip hop purist, and being from the east coast ........ of America, I like a certain degree of lyrical content. You won't find that in donk music but the energy cannot be denied. But that's just my opinion you make up your own.

London Posse - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8RknnkmEpE

Donk Music - http://www.vbs.tv/watch/music-world/donk

Dizzy Rascal - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZGvnI37mxk



music now - mos def - pistola