Nocturnal Videos: Episode 17- Off The Books

I may be wrong, but if my memory serves me correctly this track was the late Big Pun's first feature. In either case this is a memorable track, with a very catchy beat from the duo who never claimed to be the best rappers.(Reservoir Dogs Anyone?)

HAPPY 420

Light something, burn something, smoke something, roll one…

A.G. feat. Guru, O.C. & Party Arty – Weed Scented

Busta Rhymes- High

Kaze feat. AK Slaughter - Waiting To Exhale

Mystikal- I Smell Smoke

Devin The Dude- Doobie Ashtray

Madvillain- America’s Most Blunted

The Pharcyde- Pack The Pipe

The Beatnuts- Stone Crazy

Channel Live feat. KRS-One- Mad Izm

OPEN YOUR MIND CASE 6: El Michels Affair

It goes without saying that any album that bears the title Enter The 37^th Chamber, would undeniably have some ties to the original nine from the slums of Shaolin. So it comes as no surprise that the aforementioned album by El Michels Affair, a NYC collective of session musicians led by saxophonist and organist Leon Michels, does in fact contain reinterpretations of some of the Wu-Tang Clan’s many classic gems.

Interesting to say the least, many of Enter The 37^th Chamber renditions are nothing less than perfect; for the most part the renderings by El Michels Affair can easily be deciphered. It [Enter The 37^th Chamber] includes reconstructed cuts from Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) amongst other notable albums from their [Wu-Tang Clan] vast catalogue.

More often than naught you will be transported back to a time when the Wu reigned supreme. Evidently, they received the Wu stamp of approval, as they backed Raekwon in the Metro concert series. How can hip hop be dead if Wu-Tang is forever? As the manifestation of this album’s interpretations proves that the original nine cohorts made timeless music. Pick up El Michels Affair’s Enter The 37^th Chamber on April 21^st

^{TURN OFF THE RADIO!}

^{El Michels Affair - Cream}

^{El Michels Affair - Criminology}

^{El Michels Affair- Shimmy Shimmy ya}

^{El Michels Affair- Can It All Be So Simple}

Super Finale

The D continues to prove why its emcees are ahead of the rapping curve- enter Finale, a rapper by way of the aforementioned Motor City. His debut, A Pipe Dream And A Promise released on April 7th through Interdependent Media, is a welcomed addition to the collection of artists who intend to keep their unwavering promise to their bride, Hip-Hop.

Finale Interview coming soon; till then enjoy Super Finale, a reincarnation of the original Super Mario Bros.

Controls: Left ←, Right → ↑ And Up ↑.

Stic.Man

I remember the first time I saw the video for Dead Prez’s, Hip-Hop, I felt I had just witnessed the rebirth of PE; and their debut, Lets Get Free (a staple in my catalogue), did not disappointment. Unfortunately, revelations by close sources and some of their most recent works would suggest that they have succumbed to the machinery of injustice that pushes present day hip-hop’s buttons.

I have always gravitated towards Stic.Man, perhaps because he more or less practices what he preaches, unlike his counterpart M-1. Take for example, Till We Get There, an uplifting track from Confidential that features the dusty foot philosopher, K’naan and Stori James; why on God’s green earth was M-1 in a Lamborghini? In the Hip-Hop video the duo artistically used a girl’s curvaceous behind to get our attention; the Lambo on the other hand comes across as a stupid gimmick that serves no purpose.

When I saw the title for Stic.Man’s video which features Young Noble from the Outlawz, My S.W.A.G. Is Up, I was taken back. I have no doubt that the acronym stands for something positive, but it is neither mentioned nor implied throughout the track’s entirety. Now I can understand if this is an attempt to transform an exasperated concept into an empowering model, but it still falls short to the standards DPZ have set. Perhaps if he eliminated the whole S.W.A.G. concept and focused on the enriching messages sprinkled within both artists’ verses it would be more befitting. Alas, he is the artist and I am a mere blogger.... word to Saigon, Bang upside your head / E-thug I Control Alt Delete you dead/ You lil’ Bitch.

On the flip side the video’s concept does not contain the token titties and ass or jigaboo dance, which is a definite plus. Hopefully it will make the regular rotation on the idiot box (Keeping my fingers crossed). Simply put, when put into context with the videos we have on TV this video is above par, but when juxtaposed with what Dead Prez is an entity, this is a far cry from the revolution. Then again the revolution isn’t meant to be televised.

Stic.Man & M-1 @ a recent concert in Frankfurt