Friday, May 28, 2004

Most Played iTunes Joints

No editing of these lists allowed! Post yours, we're curious!

1. 2Pac and Biggie: Runnin' (Dying To Live): Played 81 times
2. Common Sense: I Used to Love Her (9th Wonder Remix): Played 75 times
3. Pete Rock and CL Smooth: T.R.O.Y. (Lady Madonna Remix): Played 73 times
4. Zhane: Hey Mr. D.J.: Played 63 times
5. Dr. Buzzard's Savannah Band: Cherchez La Femme: Played 60 times
6. Mariah Carey: Love Takes Time: Played 58 times
7. Nice & Smooth: Sometimes I Rhyme Slow: Played 58 times
8. Atlantic Starr: Secret Lovers: Played 57 times
9. BeBe & CeCe Winans: Addictive Love: Played 56 times
10. Eric B and Rakim: What's on Your Mind: Played 56 times

The Large Professor, Part 1

The Large Professor is certainly one of the most enigmatic figures in the history of hip-hop. A prolific producer throughout the early- to mid-90s, his production credits practically guaranteed heavy rotation on underground radio everywhere, and a Large Professor remix was a prerequisite for the lyrical cream of the crop. His work with his Queens brethren Nas, Akinyele, Organized Konfusion, and of course, his own Main Source, stands as some of the finest work of the era.

When he announced in 1993 that he was working on his solo jawn with the infamous line "cop the album when I drop it..." the hip-hop underground drooled at the prospect of a complete album of Large Professor production. Only two prior releases could claim such a rare credential: Akinyele's "Vagina Diner", and Main Source's "Breaking Atoms."

We waited...and we waited...eagerly consuming any small crumb he would throw our way over the course of 9 long years: Hypnotix (Inspectah Deck), gems on Stillmatic, but mostly radio silence.

[to be continued]

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Catch Me If You Can

"I done run through more checks than Frank Abagnale"

Song: One MC One DJ
Artist: Pete Rock featuring Mad Skillz
Album: Soul Survivor II

Welcome Back, Ma$e

Rocking the same "Welcome Back Kotter" theme that AZ and Onyx used two years ago, Murder Mase, aka Ma$e, aka Rev. Mase makes his official return to the game with this dope single. Been a long time, but he still sounds fresh out the box. Clean lyrics due to his occupation as pastor down in Atlanta.

"I'm just a Bad Boy gone clean/ I'm the diamond-chain choker/Always remain sober/ Don't drink liquor and all the games' over"

Flippin tha script, page 1

As if I don't have enough to do already, here I am starting a journal. This journal will contain hidden, subconscious messages concerning my state of mind, but on the surface it'll seem like just a bunch of yapping about crap on the internet and new cd's that i've picked up. Starting with...

Pete Rock: Soul Survivor II
This is actually a solid album that too many reviewers have unfairly dogged. He doesn't have the all-star guest spots that appeared on the first volume, but what he does have are butter beats and lovely cameos that will take you back to the Main Ingredient era. And there's nothing wrong with that. Highlights: One MC One DJ (Mad Skillz), No Tears (Leela James, some R&B isht), Head Rush (RZA, GZA), and the shining star of the album, Appreciate (CL Smooth).