Five For Friday

"Five for Friday" is the five tracks I am listening to this week that maybe you should be listening to aswell. I 'll always have at least one hometown hero in there from the tarheel state and best of all you can downlad them right here at carolinabrl.

1.Termanology- How It Goes Down http://www.zshare.net/audio/termanology-how-it-goes-down-mp3.html

2.Skyzoo- Way To Go(Prod. 9th Wonder)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/skyzoo-way-to-goprod-9th-wonder-mp3.html

3.Nas- Where Ya'll At
http://www.zshare.net/audio/nas-where_yall_at-mp3-7jn.html

4.Masta Killah, Raekwon,& Ghostface-It Is What It Is
http://www.zshare.net/audio/masta-killah-raekwon-ghostface-it-is-what-mp3.html

5.D'Angelo ft. Common- So Far To Go (Prod. by J Dilla) R.I.P!!!!!
http://www.zshare.net/audio/dangelo-ft-common-so-far-to-go-prod-by-j-dilla-mp3.html

Just COPY & PASTE

The War Report

Time for the "War Report". This is where I put the spotlight on an artist who is on the frontlines fighting for good hip hop.

The focus of the War Report this week is Lord Jamar. Some of you might know him from the famed "Brand Nubian", that reached critical acclaim in the late 80's and early 90's. However, when forntman Gand Puba left in 1991, Sadat X and Lord Jamar soon called it quits aswell. Sadat X went on to have a fairly successful solo career while Jamar kept a lower profile only resurfacing for features on other albums.Despite a few excellent mid-‘90s albums, the group never quite overcame the loss of their frontman. And though the original trio reunited for 1998’s impressive return to form, Foundation, LJ’s best work is his first solo debut "5% The Album"

The title refers to his embrace of the Five Percent Nation, an Islamic sect built on the premise that the black man is God and that only 5% of the population knows their true divinity (with 85% blind, deaf and ignorant and the other 10% devils using their knowledge to control the 85%). As expected, most of his thought-provoking lyrics address prevalent 5% ideologies, such as the numerological fascination of Supreme Mathematics, breaking it down in layman's terms in a way that even the most clueless Islamic neophyte could understand.

The densely-packed layers of knowledge and science would likely prove overwhelmingly heady were it not for the imminently accessible grooves that back the tracks, which was always Brand Nubian's saving grace. From the sped-up Beatles bite that drives Here Comes The Sun to the Chicago riff that makes Revolution such a bangin' cut, nearly every song here has a groove that proves the spoonful of sugar to help the intellectual medicine go down. And with guest spots from some of the 5% Nation's most lyrically gifted proponents, including RZA, GZA, Raekwon and Grand Puba, rarely has religious doctrine proven such fascinating listening.

Capped by the blazing RZA assisted Deep Space, the album never deviates from its Nation of Gods & Earths theme. From the incredible album art to virtually every song title, every bar and even the 90 page booklet that accompanies it. While Jamar is obviously passionate and dedicated to his beliefs, and for the most part the education given here is interesting. But 21 tracks of lessons start to wear a bit thing at points. Still, easily recommended listening.
(commentary courtesy of hiphopdx.com)

The Backpacker's Picks

1. Lord Jamar- The Sun
http://www.zshare.net/audio/03-lord_jamar-the_sun-mp3.html

2.Lord Jamar ft. Raekwon & Kasim Allah- Original Man
http://www.zshare.net/audio/02-lord_jamar-original_feat_raekwon_kasim_allah-mp3.html

3.Lord Jamar ft. Grand Puba- The Corner, The Streets
http://www.zshare.net/audio/11-lord_jamar-the_corner_the_streets_feat_grand_puba-mp3.html

COPY & PASTE

The Tuesday "Release of the Week"

Every tuesday Im gonna put up a cd that U might know or might not but that should definately be added to any collection.

As Part of the fifteen man front known as the "Justus League", Edgar Allen Floe steps away from his other group "The Undefined", to present himself not only as a premier artist but a formidable producer aswell going by the alias of "Slicemysta". "Floe Almighty" is consider to be the prelude to the "Streetwise LP" it features production by 9th Wonder, (see above), and Khrysis (Boot Camp Clik, Masta Ace, Sean Price, Ness) as well as Son of Yorel (Chaundon).

This ablum achieves diversity and balance all in the same breath.
Coming off the True Links EP, EA Floe’s superior skills backed by dope tracks make "Floe Almighty" a must have to tide fans over until they can get their hands on the "Streetwise LP". He came to raliegh and did "The Midngiht Snack Radio Show" (Link on the left), and previewed a little of the album before it came out. Upon listening I was amazed at the leaps and bounds made by both 9th and Khrysis in production style. I think Khrysis gets the best of 9th on what is arguably the best track on the album "Craftmatic". He also includes the Justus League classic "Righteous Way To Go" which was prievously featured on a JL mixtape and eventhough 9th switched the beat a little from the original version, I still think its dope. All in all a definate purchase for any fan of that unique sound comin from the N.C. underground!!!

Tracklisting:Ace's Pick's in Blue
1. Skyward (produced by 9th Wonder)
2. Floe Freestyle (produced by Slicemysta)
3. Craftmatic (produced by Khrysis)
4. Livelyhood Remix (produced by Slicemysta)
5. Floe Almighty (produced by 9th Wonder)
6. Nightwatch f/Mal Demolish (produced by Son Of Yorel)
7. The Torch (produced by 9th Wonder)
8. Hostility f/Cazmere (produced by Slicemysta)
9. One And One Remix f/Diablo Archer (produced by Slicemysta)
10. Changes (Mood Swing) (produced by Slicemysta)
11. Floe Shout Outs (produced by Slicemysta)
12. The Righteous Way To Go (produced by 9th Wonder)

A Guy U Might Like To Know

I'm not sure about who might be stopping this little blog so every monday ima hit ya with a N.C. hip hop noteable that you might wanna make yourself familiar with. Mind you that in the future the spotlight will be pointed at those that are a little less known but for now well start with this guy.

His name is 9th wonder and he is one third of the N.C. hip hop group Little Brother. He also plays an integral role at the round table of N.C. rap royalty known as The Justus League. He has almost single handedly provided the soundscape for the N.C. hip hop movement. Known for his infectious (and rare) soul samples and his hard hitting drums, 9th has made alot of noise outside the tarheel state aswell as inside, prducing for artist from around the nation and most noteably Jay-Z. After bringing 200 or so beats to Hov, Mr. Carter gave poor 9th 20 mins. and an R.Kelly sample to make a beat out of. And it would seem that performing under pressure might be 9th's greatest talent of all as he comes out with arguably one of the best beats on Jay-Z's piece de resistance "The Black Album". Not too bad for his first introduction to rap's "mainstream" audience. (He even gets a lil face time on the DVD "Fade to Black", f.y.i. hes the one who looks surprised to be in the room)

With Jay in his blackberry, emcees breaking down his door for beats, and the underground in his back pocket, you would think the success would go straight to his head. Yet, he spreads the love like no other. As the President of H2O, N.C. State University's one and only hip hop org. ,I have had the honor and priviledge to speak with him on many occasions and he is the most humble and down to earth person (famous or not) I have ever met. He has many upcoming projects including the second installment of his "dream merchant" compilation cd and along with Little Brother and the Justus League 9th is doing much more than his part towards making N.C. the home of the best hip hop on the planet. SO IF U DON'T KNOW NOW U KNOW!