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"