Best List of Best Hip Hop Songs of 2008 (part 1)

By one of the best music blogs going Passon of the Weiss. Written by Jeff Weiss, a Los Angeles-based writer/journalist, Passion of the Weiss covers the gamut of quality Hip Hop as well as other genres. The site also has one of the best music blog rolls I’ve seen. So, if you ‘preciate good beats and the background behind them, keep Passion of the Weiss in your bookmarks.

The 50 Best Hip-Hop Songs of 2008 (Part I)

Over the next two weeks, myself and a very talented cadre of contributors will be emulating the book above. Unlike said tome, it won’t cost money and you’ll get free MP3s–which, presumably, serve a tangible purpose. Now go cry into your near-beer, Phillip Ardagh, you lovable rogue.

50. Redman ft. Oh No-”Lay You Out” 

You couldn’t pay me to be a kid today: anaconda jeans in vogue, Myspace as courting ritual, “Lollipop” as teenage head-anthem. (Wherefore art thou Akinyele?) But no matter how much I love the themes to Magic Johnson’s Fast break and Marble Madness(word to Jones and Soderberg) the kids have us beat on video game soundtracks. Listening to Redman and Oh No’s  contribution to Street Fighter’s HD release on XBox and Playstation, makes me feel like a 8-bit octagenarian.  Four Hadoukens out of four.

49.  2ew Gunn Ciz ft. Nico the Beast, M.O.G., Reef Da Lost Cauze-”CrushRock”

“Icky Thump” re-purposed as the sound a corpse makes when it hits the floor. Rhythm J flips Jack White’s squealing guitar-as-bagpipe hiss and hands it to some of Philly’s finest, who summarily dismember it. Ciz, Reef, and M.O.G. hit Manny Pacquiao-hard, but Nico steals the show with 16 bars of name-dropping that fits nicely next to Elzhi’s “Colors” and Edan’s “Rock and Roll, ” as great “Labels” songs of recent vintage.

Slightly More Kilter

Two weeks into my move from LA to Northern AZ and I have been offered employment back into the social service realm.  A significant leveling of my scales has occurred.  After a year and a half out of the field, I’m eager to contribute and feel impactual. Since my intentions are to keep this blog, as the rest of my online existence, separate from work for ethical and therapeutic reasoning, that’s about all I’ll discuss as far as the professional details.

Personally, I’m excited for the opportunity, challenges and social interactions.  I appreciate being part of a team working together to to achieve a goal. Financially, a heavy burden has been lifted. I have looming issues still weighing, but this is obviously the first step in a plan to deal.  This job market is bleak and I feel very fortunate to have found a decent option as soon as I did.  Socially, It’s good for my soul to build relationships. I love my family and I am so impressed with the character they display, but there will be obvious benefits of expanding my social network

The work I’ll be doing will be demanding and self awareness will be required to maintain an emotional balance.  I do feel like now that a job is secure I’ll be able to focus on some other areas that I feel are out of equilibrium.  I’ve been eating well, but haven’t been active enough. I found  great pool but haven’t been able to coordinate my schedule yet.  My Plantar Fasciitis is improving and I hope to be up and running, literally by the spring. The other area of symmetrical deficit I’m suffering from is lack of social calender. I need to research organizations, community functions and happenings  where I can find entertainment and like-minded peoples.   This is an example of the extreme spectrum for me, since my time in LA was filled with an abundance of good times and fantastic people. Sluggo’s sentinments say it best, “I’m trying to find a balance, I’m trying to build a balance.”

Heeeeeere’s Jimmy

Some of my most vivid memories as a child are of watching Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. I’ve been a late nite kat since day one. Johnny was the smoothest dude in the room, always, and no one has done it better since. Many have tried and failed horribly; Chevy Chase, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Pat Sajak, and perhaps the biggest traveshamockery Magic Johnson.  There were those that had a good run; Arsenio and Bob Costas. Those that have have crept into the mainstay; Jimmy Kimmel, Carson Daily and Craig Ferguson. And the two who have valiantly carried the torch from Carson; David Letterman and Conan O’Brien. Jay Leno, as far as I’m concerned, has tainted the thrown.  It was just announced NBC will shake up their primetime line-up with a talk show hosted by Leno. Let the taint continue. Conan’s replacing Leno, and although I haven’t tuned in much of late, I’m interested in  how he’ll brings his quirky off-the-wall style into the coveted time slot. I’m also quite interested in how newcomer, Jimmy Fallon, will fill the seat Conan has flourished in.   

I’ve just discovered Fallon’s video blog on the show’s web site http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com.   The videos thus far have composed of his typical SNL style comedic stylings, providing viewers with the show’s updates, stage progress, show staff and most exciting announcement thus far; his house band being The Roots.  The people creating Late Night with Jimmy Fallon are capitalizing on the social media market tip by creating accounts with flickr, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, etc. This should create a solid buzz leading up to the show’s debut, which is still yet to be determined. 

However, a solid buzz alone doesn’t always make for a happy high.  Fallon will have to build a loyal audience base, then utilize that relationship to take some risks.  I think the incorperation of the interwebs is obviously a pertinent and necessary tactic. Other necessary tactics are carrying a monologue, conducting an interview and creating a bridge to the audience.  To see how successful he is at that, we’ll just have to stay tuned.

Totally Epic

 

 

Epic Fu

There are plenty of website options for tech, social media, art, music and entertainment geeks. In fact, there’s nothing tech, social media, art, music, entertainment geeks like better than discussing tech, social media, art, music and entertainment geekery. Myself included and I’ve been getting’ my geek on at Epic Fu (http://epicfu.com/ ). A fresh video/blog/community site addresses each of these topics in one bitchin’ platform. Created by Zadi Diaz and Steve Woolf in the fall of 2007, Epic Fu is a two-time nominee and Webby Award Winner. Whoa, in researching info for this post, I was redirected to Tom Green’s House, and got totally absorbed. Oh, internet…you so crazy. Now, Back to the Fu. Zadi is the face of the site, hosting the bi-weekly videocast. She’s knowledgeable, witty, charming and rather attractive.  She’s currently traveling throughout South Africa and as of, only providing brief glimpses into the excursion. I imagine a more extensive offering is soon to come. Which makes for an ideal time for newbies to check ‘um out.

Buon Appetito!

 One of,  if not my favorite dish to cook (and eat of course) is Eggplant Parmesan. It’s a great option when hosting  guests and makes an excellent meal for one providing ample leftovers.  Eggplant is actually a fruit that we consume as a vegetable, much like the tomato. It’s high in vitamin C, fiber, potassium, manganese, and copper as well as rich in antioxidant compounds. The eggplant’s skin contains nasunin, a potent phytonutrient shown to protect brain cell membranes from damage.  It’s quite the nutrient, vitamin, mineral packed punch that is too often negated when prepared. The goal should be to keep this dish as healthy as possible, without sacrificing the goodness that is eggplant parmesan.   

I Got That Fever

Today I made it out the house. Not for any specific reason other than to disrupt three full days without even setting a foot outdoors. My last endeavor out of the abode was to the local sports bar Sunday afternoon. Perhaps watching that disheartening Raiders loss triggered the hibernation. Now, I usually experience the onset of cabin fever symptoms soon after short periods of inactivity. A night in usually followed up someway by a night out. Stir craziness usually awakens a dormant disease I have…Boogie Fever. The need to get down is a fantastic remedy for the need to get out.  

 Or course being new to an area, unemployed and without friends is a perfectly reasonable excuse for an empty social calendar. But not a foot outdoors for 72 hours is wiggity. Another element keeping me imbalanced, literally, is a nagging case of plantar fasciitis. I haven’t felt much improvement since shutting down running 2 months ago. I feel like I should continue to do so but I also feel like circulating the blood and getting some fresh air ranks up there.  I may have to take up race walking. 

I did rock sweatpants and a hoodie for that duration and keep occupied by the following: Cooking, Hulu Arrested Development, ABC.com Lost, NBA live streaming, Bradman TV Blog, Tweexploring, Q-Tip The Renaissance, Carolla, a little fam time, and of course amidst that hectic itinerary I did pursue employment angles came up with a couple leads.

The Mighty Underdogs Ft. MF Doom “Gunfight”

During my last couple weeks in LA, the vZa and I hit up many a quality Hip-Hop act. I plan to elaborate a little more on that down the road since catchin’ supa dope shows with the Viz was most certainly amongst the highlights of living in the land of milk and honey.  The Mighty Underdogs at The Knitting Factory most certainly qualified as supa dope.  

Gift of Gab, Lateef the Truth Speaker and producer Headnodic comprise this underground all-star collabo. Their debut album Droppin’ Science on Definitive Jux label is out now, and of course MySpace is the spot to sample the product http://www.myspace.com/themightyunderdogs.  

MF Doom, among a few touted others, join this vocal thrill ride on Droppin’ Science.  Doom’s track “Gunfight” along with the video by Ben Stokes epitomizes the feel on the album, focusing on impressive lyrical word play, unbelievable energy and abstract creativity.

(Veggie) Meat & Greet

 

New BFF

Wuz good Boca? Rainbow rotini, how you livin’? Yo wassup leafy greens, PIZ is in the house. 

In my short time here in the AZ High Country, I’ve found few social outlets. However, I’ve been using frequent grocery runs as a means of getting out of the house and interacting with the community. And by community, I mean the vast selection of edibles on the shelves. I’m not striking up convo with the employees or patrons, ‘cept for the random who crosses my path as I’m fixated on coffee price comparison. 

“Oh exuse me, let me get our of your way,” says Random

“No worries (realizes potential for actual human interaction), speaking of way…you uh….know which way to go for cheap market fresh loaves of bread or a decent happy hour,” replies PIZ

         Aforementioned Random scurries off, never taking gaze off coupon stack.

Now, I love to cook, therefore I ‘preciate a good trip to the store. But I’m doin’ stop-ins like the dude who must stroll by the local bar on the way home just to see if there’s any action (and, yes, I’ve been that dude as as well. I miss Carol’s).  Another bar life parallel would be my avid store hopping, ya know…peepin’ the scene. Which really is out of necessity to see which store caters best to my grocery preferences. I rely on a variety of soy, meat substitute, and vegetarian based products to compliment my menu of go to dishes. Without a Trader Joe’s or  Whole Foods within an 80 mile radius, thorough research of the local offerings is a must. 

What’s for dinner tonight?  Since Da Club, Safeway Club that is, be kinda slow on Mondays, I’m laying low by mixing up a light salad. Check it out, check it out though, Two-for Tuesdays are off the chain.  I’ll be rollin thru the spot late afternoon…and by early evening  throwin down a double dose of eggplant parmesan ya’ll.

  

You Don’t Have to be Dr. House

“Little momma got a little pill to swallow

A little water to follow it down the tunnel
Gotta lotta walls but the house is hollow
Got a lot of holes, never found the shovel
Panic attack, so what’s the plan of attack?”…          

             

 I try to keep an even keel approach to stress. By nature it isn’t a big issue and when detected I recognize, deal and move on. However, I’ve had some ongoing stressors related to this move, and most certainly employment & funds are the leading contributing factor, along with a little self doubt and uncertainty.  Yesterday, as I was immersed in a variety of job listings that looked bleak…Memphis bleak, I think I experienced a bit of panic attack symptoms.  Anxiety filled thoughts, shortness of breath, headache and jagged nerves crept over me. I stepped away, focused on deep breathing and practiced a little positive self talk. I felt better immediately and organically self medicated….then recognized, dealt and moved on.

 

…“So what you drinking? So what you popping?
So what you eating? So what you dropping?
So what you smoking? So what you sniffing?
So how you coping? So what’s the difference?”

                           Panic Attack by Atmosphere

Detour

on the road

 I’m fresh of the road again and transitioning into another relocation situation… and obviously felt the need to blog about it.  As a frequent participant in online social media, I also feel compelled to contribute to it.  I also feel compelled to stave off the doldrums as I’m prone to stir craziness.  I’m a new resident of a quaint down home community in Northern Arizona after a year and 1/2  stint in Los Angeles and 6 years in Chicago.  Let’s just say adjustments will be made. However, I went to college in Minnesota and grew up in North Dakota, so quaint and down home is not unfamiliar territory. Nor is it undesirable. This move is motivated by the opportunity to pursue further education and unique chance to spend time with family that I’ve been distant from (geographically, not emotionally) for a dozen or so years.  Although not entirely clear as of, I feel this move is the best decision to pursue my ambitions for career development.  When things become more clear I’ll…. write a post about it. 

 Ideally, my preference would have been gaining this clarity while living in LA. I’m a huge proponent of urban dwelling and all things diverse that a city has to offer.  LA specifically offered my best friends of whom have all lived together in some combination over the last 14 years from college, Chi-town and LA.  Clito, Drew and vZa… my bruthas from otha muthas, one mutha being my aunt, making one brutha my cuz.  We’re all like-minded thirty somethings who have maintained our youthful disposition and appreciation of social opportunities. Which means we often take advantage of the potential for a good time.  And good times we had; bowling nites, beach outings, football sundays, cabana nites,  kitchen chaos,  Wii action,  Hip-Hop and most enjoyably living room lounging.  Good times indeed.  Not so much professionally however,  and that imbalance was throwing me off-kilter.

 Much like how I felt near the end of my Chicago days, where professionally I was content and progressing adequately. I absolutely valued the agency I worked for and felt so positively about the impactful work we were doing. Yet, personally I didn’t feel 100% fulfilled.  Now, I love the city of Chicago, had many a fantastic adventure, and built a great friend base.  Just didn’t quite feel…balanced. 

 I feel alright about the direction this detour has taken me. With all my experience of being on the road, it’s often been the unexpected turns that have lead to the most interesting destinations.