"Turn writers block to a block party..." -Radimiz

I came across this video around the same time I watched the first "2011 Best of Brooklyn" cypher. I watched this joint like multiple times smiling ear to ear the whole while. Somewhere under a random bridge in Brooklyn, these cats are the living spirit of Hip-Hop culture and music. The setting. The vibe. The rhymes. Everything.

"F@!% it, go stupid, get zooted do coon sh!t..."

"...we losing anyway might as well go out shootin."

Black Opera
Koon Sh!t

I was on my bike when this song came on my headphones and I had to stop for a sec because I didn't know what to make of it.  Koon Sh!t by Black Opera is a satire in the spirit of classic movie CB4. Based on the little bits of their other work Ive heard, this seems more of an experiment.

A really interesting one.

"Competition is none!" -Rakim

Competition has been long been part of Hip-Hop culture. The music of that culture is no different. From Rakim's No Competition, to I'm Still #1 by KRS-One, cats that felt like they were that deal, said so on the mic. Hell, even Nelly attempted to have his say on whose the best. That's why I was happy after hearing the Big Sean song, Control that featured Jay Electronica and Kendrick Lamar.

Vomitspit - Homeboy Sandman

Homeboy Sandman
I Do Whatever I Want
Chimera

"I don't bla bla on your bandwidth....
I ain't blathering what I brandish
I get the notion that these bastards
Type to be like 'put the lotion in the basket'

Angel from Elmhurst on his suspicion of the true nature of said blathering bla bla-ers.

On a separate note. How cool would a new CB4 right about now.

Come Back Like Jordan Wearin the 4-5 -Billy Woods

Billy Woods 
The Foreigner
History Will Absolve Me

"Eyes blank like plain clothes po-lice
Tell them to pick their own cotton!
This is professional football we don't run the option
Barry Sanders, who gives a fuck if niggas is blockin
Top of the key white as John Stockton"

Triple play with this sports reference. Despite the emergence of of athletic quarterbacks in the NFL over the last 5 years, the option play is rarely used. Quarterbacks are the most important players on the field, and defensive players in the NFL are just too big and to fast to risk getting your QB killed.

Though I was more of a Emmett guy,  Barry Sanders did more with less than any other running back I have ever seen. His offensive line was awful.

Thats what makes these sports metaphors work. They are based in an actual understanding of said sports.

The Stockton on the other hand pales in comparison to the other two.

"And since when we get so lenient?"

"...dudes got whole LPs of freein'
I Paid ten bucks for this CD 
And I better get something worth repeatin" 
-8THW1

Authentic Hip-Hop music is not played in the mainstream media.  Songs that are promoted and played are used as a tools by corporations and rappers to influence the minds of young people. Many listeners, old and young think that whats being played is the best the genre has to offer. This is problematic because the public gets a lesser product, and their is no diversity of the content. Not to mention it makes the music and culture look bad to the casual listener or viewer.

"But beef for what?"

Homeboy Sandman
Peace & Love
Kool Herc: Fertile Crescent

I just can't get enough of Homeboy Sandman these days. On Sunday, he's bringing his talents to the Bean. Can't wait!

Off his most recent album this track, Peace & Love, stands out for so many reasons.