Ask anyone who considers themselves a fan of Hip-Hop who their favorite duo is and you’ll get a list of the usual suspects. Outkast. UGK. Eric B & Rakim. Jay-Z & Kanye. The list could go on, but a selection that usually gets overshadowed for a variety of different reasons. Beanie Sigel and Freeway may have never put out an album or mixtape together (State Property not included). Yet, these two helped put Philadelphia back on the rap scene in a major way. Where Will Smith brought the commercial aspect years earlier, Beans and The Phreezer captured the grim, grit, hustle, violence and depression that is Philly’s inner city.

Their styles were unique, but the penchant for capturing the surroundings of the inner city which damn near took their lives and manifesting them into actual lyrics went a long, long way into helping carve their way the genre’s history. “Philly Niggas” was found on Kanye West’s I’m Good mixtape released many, many moons ago. Some may have heard it awhile back, some may have never heard the record to begin with, which is fine, too. That said, the chemistry these two had for one another was a tour de force that was beyond apparent. Maybe Freeway was more “lyrical” and maybe Sigel was more of the emotion-based rapper, but whatever the formula may be, it worked. And it worked quite often.

K.C. and I talk music every now and then. For the most part, our tastes mirror one another (give or take some preferences). The other day, she mentioned how much she used to play J.R. Writer’s “Bird Call” some six years ago. Being the Dipset enthusiast as I am, I instantly remembered the video and decided to take a trip back in time via YouTube. And what happened next reminded me of five interesting traits the song presented.

1. J.R.’s buzz, at one point, was insane and was dubbed as one of the more promising names in music. His style was similar to Cam’s, but his Writer’s Block mixtape series was one of the tougher of the time period. Had the Dips never dissolved, who knows what becomes of Writer’s career. I always believe he and Hell Rell could have/should have been bigger than what they ultimately became.

2. I guarantee most people have totally forgotten about this Wayne verse. His rise to dominance was partially aided by The Diplomats, who frequently reached to Wayne during this time period. Cam, Jimmy, Juelz and company had one of the more recognizable sounds in music and Weezy was beginning to crack the shell into the marathon recording zombie, pop culture superstar he is now.

3. I have that Diplomats shirt somewhere. Granted, I haven’t seen it since like 2006, but still.

4. Seeing Juelz Santana and Wayne together allows me to present this question. Will we ever hear what I Can’t Feel My Face sounds like? The bootleg version that was released in 2006 was mighty impressive and the main reason a buzz still remains for the project.

5. Cam went directly at Jay-Z’s neck right here. Just listen to the verse again and realize this song dropped not long after Roc-A-Fella’s demise became public.

In high school you was the man homie, that’s what a fan told me
Shit, same ole cat, get his kangol clapped
Brains blown back, dissing Dame, Dame don’t rap
Shame on black, the game so wack
Dame sonned you children
From in front of ya building right to a hundred million

Jay openly boasted he raped Def Jam until he was “the hundred million man” on “You Don’t Know. So, this verse (along with several other songs prior to “You Gotta Love It” and their well documented relationship, or lack thereof) the process of elimination leads me to believe there was only one person Cam was talking about here. You be the judge.

Man, listen. Wayne’s shot at Jay-Z was witty and good for a chuckle. I give him that, yet when it comes to Jay-Z disses, I’m talking legit disses to Shawn Carter (outside of “Ether”), there’s only one that comes to mind – Cam’ron’s “You Gotta Love It.” First, let’s set the scene. The time was 2006 and the Roc was crumbling while the Dips were at their height. Also apparent was the belief that Jay-Z and Cam weren’t exactly buddy-buddy. Urban legends say their one collaboration, Come Home With Me‘s “Welcome To New York City,” was something Dame orchestrated to commemorate Killa’s arrival to the label; something long since rumored Hov vehemently disliked. 

Then, there’s the “Oh Boy (Remix)” Jay allegedly jumped on that Cam made sure never saw the light of day because, in his own words, Jay was “too old to be doing what he doing and he dresses horrible.”  Then, yes there’s more, the Dips were left off the “Roc The Mic” Tour. Then, the Dame/Jay stuff really blew up. Then, Cam was shot in DC during Howard University’s homecoming weekend where he claimed he saw someone throw up the diamond before he was shot. There’s tons more intricate stories, but in the interest of time, we’ll cut it short.

“You Gotta Love It,” from what I remember at the time, was met with tons of flack mainly stemming from Jay-Z worship. Personally, and I am bias, the record was hilarious and actually respectable in the fact there were no subliminal shots. No doubt was left as to who Cam was directing his anger towards. And to top it off, a hook only Max B could pull off was the perfect compliment to Flea’s disrespectful verses.

Down in Houston ask B I’ma mack forreal
Heck you tell me, respect, better dwell me
Beyonce, fiance, check my 2nd LP (check my second album)
I might bring it back, that’s your girl, that’s your world
Had the thing, fucking singing bout slinging crack (word)
Mr. Rocafella stop, stop, stop it fellas (stop)
Still got our acapellas, but I will Akinyele her
“Put it in ya mouth-Put it in ya mouth”
It ain’t my fault I’m raw
I’m sorry B but I want a war
And he stabbed “Un” over Charli Baltimore (fucking faggot)
Sucker for love, nuh-nuh sucker for love
Kill a bitch go to trial handy stuff in the glove

This plus the “Fraggle Rock” reference towards the end? Yeah. Game, set, match point. Cam’s unbridled confidence and reckless abandon to go right at Jay-Z’s neck was both admirable and and risky. What ended up happening was nothing, actually. Jay responded the way he always has, with subliminal shots (see “Dig A Hole” and “Hustlin’ (Remix)”). His “I Declare War” concert turned out to be more peaceful and revolutionary and while the Dips continued to take shots at Hov, things fizzled out and the Dips disbanded ending that chapter in rap beef history.

Still, Cam’s “line-in-the-sand” battle rap continues to ring bells. This wasn’t a line or an interview. It was seven minutes of vulgarity mixed with the patent Dipset aura of the day. Cam was ready to box with “The God MC.” Jay just never bothered to show up to the gym.

Yesterday, Lil’ Kim released her highly anticipated mixtape Black Friday, for a small price of $9.99. In no more than 28 hours, Kim had posted via her Twitter that she already sold 113K mixtapes and was the top seller on PayPal. Wait, what? I took it upon myself to look further into this matter, because as a PayPal user, somethings just weren’t adding up. While on the phone with multiple representatives, I live tweeted the conversation as it was happening.

Due to the fact that the mixtape was not sold through eBay, eBay reps were unable to assist in the situation. We learned that there is no such thing as being a top seller because information isn’t track in such a way, and that your account must be opened for a certain amount of time in order to receive such a high amount. Further more, if Kim actually made $1,128,870, her amount would’ve been shut down for suspicions of fraud. Also, her bit.ly link has only been clicked 24K+/- times, so… 113K sold? Slow down on the anesthesia and medical cocktails, Kimberly. Biggie didn’t teach you this.

SA

A few weeks ago, a patna of mine who got out of prison in May after serving six years told me he was planning to join the military. Why? Mainly because it was damn near impossible to find a job in today’s economy and his last intention was to do something stupid landing him back in the place he just left.

Times are hard for people with no felonies, so imagining life with one just seems close to impossible to make work in your favor? So who was I to really tell him no by doing something which could potentially alter his life for the better. Whether it was coincidence or by luck, but Trick Daddy’s “Thug Holiday” crossed my path later that day. I consider myself a fan of the guy and while I can’t recite every lyric from every song from every album, but saying this may be the realest song he ever wrote and one of the most genuine Hip-Hop songs ever composed is not a far stretch.

I know people get antsy and defensive when comparisons to Tupac are mentioned, but this is cut from his cloth. It’s one of those songs which are so honest that I’m forced to listen to it in full each time. Almost like Pac’s “Dear Mama” or “Life Goes On.” The song itself wasn’t lyrically jaw dropping, but it didn’t need to be. What Trick didn’t present in “textbook lyricism,” he more than made up for it in vivid pictures.

If it wasn’t for bad luck, hell I guess that a nigga wouldn’t have none
But when I think about it, what would I be without my gun
How could I, get away from the po-po’s, if a, nigga couldn’t run
And why was I given a daughter when I always prayed for a son

I’ve said it before. The ego and bravado that is often seen in Hip-Hop is cool and something we can all appreciate at times. However, it’s when you see an artist strip themselves of their strengths only to expose their weaknesses do you get a true appreciation for their work. Thugs across America will never receive their own official holiday. You heard the song, the only day that will ever come close is a church service on Sunday morning. Thanks to Trick though, there is at least an official theme song.

It’s crazy to believe half a decade has passed – September 8, 2005, to be exact – since I first heard this track.

Back during this time, Twista was coming off Kamikaze, the album which still ranks as his most commercially successful to date. That said, finding out he wouldn’t be working with Kanye heavily for the ’05 follow up, The Day After, didn’t bode to well. And while the album did not succeed its predecessor, that’s not to say there weren’t some quality tracks sprinkled throughout.

Evident by the title, the Pharrell-featured “Lavish” was definitely one of the standouts. In a nutshell, the song spoke about the desired fruits of life and the lengths people will go to have them. The beat was smooth enough for Twista deliver his signature flow, but also drop some knowledge at the same time. Looking back, however, the highlight was Pharrell. His verse was – for the lack of a better term – crazy and still one of my favorites from him to this day.

Niggaz at each other thinkin they will bust you
The bang is the same even if it’s muffled
But the moment so loud when a dead man hug you
He’s cold in your arms, but you ain’t gon’ be foldin your arms
You gon’ be lowered in your arms
Cryin to open the jar, and to add injury to insult
You’re smokin your life away
Look at me, big car big house big jewels
All that came out my backpack
You ain’t gon’ do it, it ain’t gon’ work, you ain’t gon’ prove it
Even though that hurt, I just skated past that

A rewind worthy offering if there is one. I went to school in the Hampton Roads area during this time, so it was a big moment when he shouted Norfolk out at the end of his verse.

DL: Twista feat. Pharrell – “Lavish”

Looking back, there probably wasn’t any crew affected by the death of their “leader” than Terror Squad was with Big Pun’s. Junior Mafia, at least, managed to release an album before Biggie was taken away. And Lil Kim went on to achieve her own level of fame. The Outlawz never seemed like a group who could become true forces without 2Pac. Even Bone Thugs N’ Harmony sold platinum albums after Eazy-E passed.

Yet, Pun’s death seem to bring to light the dark side of Terror Squad. Promises weren’t fulfilled. Acqusations of abuse still surround his name. Potential was never reached. The worst part? Life-long hatred materialized as a result. The wheelings and dealings of T.S. have never been my expertise. However, Fat Joe and Cuban Link always appeared as two of the closest people to Pun in the music business – along with Remy. They both still speak highly of the guy and both still refer to him as a brother. The only catch is they hate each one another.

Legend has it that Link’s scar across his face is the handywork of Joe. Since then, it hasn’t been all G between the two and quite honestly I doubt it ever will be. However, on 2005′s Chain Reaction, Cuban decided to vent all of his frustrations on wax. For over five minutes, he poured his heart out to Pun in lyrical prayer in regards to everything that had happened since his death in 2000 with the song “Letter To Pun.” Highly personal and highly emotional, it was one of those songs I’ve long wished I could have been a fly on the wall for during the recording sessions for.

You was the glue to the puzzle, the key to the struggle
The reason I even chose to be in this hustle
Twin, I love you
No matter what or who tries to judge you
Theres nothing worst than family and friends tryin to fuck you

DL: Cuban Link – “Letter To Pun”

I’ve never met Mack Maine, but I’d imagine he’s a cool dude. As one of the longest standing members of Cash Money/Young Money, he’s also one of the biggest reasons for their continued success over the years. Before becoming an executive, his original job title was that of an artist. Last year, he dropped This Is Just A Mixtape with Don Cannon which got some good burn from me during the winter and spring of ’09. If I remember correctly, it came out a few weeks before So Far Gone.

Anyway, one of my favorite tracks from the tape was the Mistah FAB featured “Man Cry.” As trivial as it may sound, Cannon’s Young Dro drop was one of my favorites in recent memory. I know it sounds stupid, but that’s one of the things I remember about the song. More importantly though, the most piercing element of track was the sample. The subject centered around the issue of emotional experiences a man may face in his life. Everyone’s heard the rule men aren’t supposed to cry, but Mack and Fabby Davis, Jr. essentially preach the opposite.

I know Kanye cried when he lost his moms
I probably take myself when the Lord take my moms

Clocking in at nearly seven minutes, you get full verses from both and the back-and-forth inspired verse for the last. Following all that, Mack leaves the rapping behind and has his own soliloquy about the problems of the world to close things out. Present day speaking, I’m sure those same fears still haunt him, but things do look promising for Mack and all of Cash Money. Tyga’s got a song near the top of the charts. Bow Wow has a movie out. Drake’s platinum and climbing. Nicki’s buzz is through the roof. And it’s t-minus two months until you know who comes home.

DL: Mack Maine feat. Mistah FAB – “Man Cry”

Last I heard, Max was still slated to do 75 years. Stories of appeals come and go, but I never heard anything official. So as of this moment, I don’t expect to see Max B again as a free man. Hopefully I’m wrong though. The last thing I want to wish is someone incarcerated for a crime they didn’t commit. That being said, the man who made “wavy” cool left behind an immense body of music to enjoy and analyze.

Between his time with Dipset, his partnership with French Montana and his own solo projects, he had more than enough music than I could ever keep up with. To many, Max is known for his penchant to hold on a grudge (see Jim Jones and Hell Rell). To even more, Max is known for creating a catchy hook in his day. Dig through the crates deep enough and you’ll find more than a handful of records to support this. One of my favorites was “Never Wanna Go Back.”

Recorded only days before the verdict was handed down, the somber and reflective track showcased a Max who was well aware of what the future could hold for him. Months prior we saw Max running around with French Montana (cracking jokes on Hell Rell), sipping Grand Gru and enjoying life. As his date with destiny fate approached, it showed in his music. Quite simply, Max’s stress level beyond apparent as he crooned he did not “wanna go back in there.” With the correctional facility being a revolving door in the first place, no one who is lucky enough to walk out the doors wants to walk back in. Unfortunately for Max, this wasn’t the case.

Not another night goes by that I don’t pray now
F*ckin’ cops screamin’ face down…

DL: Max B – “Never Wanna Go Back”

Chances are if you ask me to name my 10 favorite projects from 2000 – 2009, I feel confident in saying Mood Muzik 2 would be one of the selections. This was before the social media explosion took place, so your favorite artist still had a sense of mystery around them. I’m not saying they don’t now, but times have changed and artists are more accessible, which can (or cannot) be an excellent thing in many ways. In 2005, we all knew the story of Joe Budden. Buddy was neck deep in a beef with what seemed like the entire institution of music industry.  In turn, however, it helped spawn timeless music. At least, I like to this so.

I’ve listened to MM2 from front to back more times than I’d like to admit over the past five years. It’s riddled with classics like “Are You In That Mood Yet?,” “6 Minutes Of Death,” “Three Sides To A Story” and my personal favorite, “If I Die Tomorrow.” Joey laced venom on the entire project. I like to think it still ranks as one of the rare instances of what it’s actually like to hear someone’s heart speak over instrumentals. One of the rawest tracks and one I still readily identify with to this day is the cryptic tune, “The Future.”

At some point, we’ve all been skeptical of the coming days hold. It’s a natural emotion. When the uneasiness of the unknown and time mix together, it creates one hell of an potion that can drive a person up a wall. Joey pretty much explained his situation (and probably millions of others) in a nutshell with raw, pure honesty.

I wonder what I’ll become, or why am I overlooked
I want ‘em to understand,  but still I’m misunderstood
I keep on taking suggestions, I’m wondering if I should
I know you see the potential, I know you see that I could

As I wait patiently for Mood Muzik 4 (October 26), I can only hope Joey comes with this type of emotion. This is mood music.

DL: Joe Budden – “The Future”

Bonus: Turns out he is. I’m still confused as to how I’m just now hearing this.

DL:  Joe Budden feat. Emanny – “Short Summer”