Hip Hip Quotables: Momma's Momma

Hip Hop Quotables are just another piece to this site that adds ignition to the reader to keep coming back. While tunes can create a positive mood to the listener through simply melodies, it is lyrics alone that make or brake an artist. These posts focus on the level of deepness an artist reaches to the listener. Whether it be the additional confidence a certain line brings the fan (AKA swag), or on a more essential level, the maturity a few words brings the person, music is filled with life lessons.

In this case, my initial inspiration/Facebook quote is J. Cole's line off "I Get Up". The North Carolina native reiterates Hova's line, "9-5 is how you survive, I ain't tryin' to survive, I'm tryin' to throw my momma in rides!" (2:57). This line alone is inspiring to the typical ambitious fan who's trying to make it out of the vicious cycle we're all born into. Being a momma's boy, I know I owe more than just the world to the person who gave me life. Luxuries and a life of success isn't enough for just me; this life is also meant for the person who taught me the most fundamental lessons...

Now to take it to an even further level, I not only want to please my closest friend, but my best friend's best friend. Kendrick Lamar speaks about showing his mother's mother a stress free good life. "... movin' grams like relocating your momma's momma" (1:25). While Cole's line was more straight to the point, Kendrick's line is more aspiring and poetic. He not only delivers a success driven point, but does it through word play. He uses "movin' grams" as in a measurement of the drug that's being sold and 'Grams' as in a nick make for his beloved grandmother. This metaphor not only parades that his mother will see his success first hand, but the person that granted his mother life will see that success as well.

If you want a track filled with HHQs listen to ROTC (Right On Time Conscience) in its entirety. It's most defenitly a thought we all go through. Lets all pray to the gods that this Cole/Lamar album sees the light of day.

Brother Ali - Shine On (Prod. Jake One)

Being that I'm currently working the slave shift at a restaurant, this song hits me more than anything that's dropped in the last month or so. If story telling in music was a sport, Brother Ali would be the offspring of Jordan and Kobe. Pretending to be an employee might just be my new ice breaker the next time I'm out on the hunt. Best of all, there's visuals to go along with the well written/produced single. Brother Ali's Bite Marked Heart drops Valentine Day, AKA Gillermo's Birthday.

Kendrick Lamar & School Boy Q Interview with Peter Rosenberg

Here's a great interview for all the Hiii Powered intellects out there. Being a Kendrick fan, I've watched countless interviews on the revolutionist and I must say, damn some of these questions they ask are repetitive. In this case, Peter Rosenberg holds one quite interesting interview. This time around you get a chance to hear Mr. Lamar speak about his ability to get a buzz amongst the brainless masses even though he puts out classic, food for thought hip hop, his struggles to master and perfect a sound in music, the irony of him touring with Drake, and other thought provoking questions/answers. On top of everything, Rosenberg kind of calls out School Boy Q for his "Drinking and Driving" anthem (which features one of my new favorites, ASAP Rocky).

You Can't Be Serious: Blu Gets Interrupted

It's a sad day in hip hop when when one of you favorite emcees gets stopped in the middle of his performance only to be told his show is weak. While the fan is obviously under the influence, I can't say i don't agree with him (although I would never do what he did). The fact is that Blu is not a great performer. The guy is one of the best lyrically, but he definitely does not live up to the notion of "M.C. means Move the Crowd". And I could say this from first hand experience from seeing my top 5 favorite Emcee a few years back at Berkley's Hip Hop in the Park. Without much stage presence, he sort of just strolled around the stage passively reciting his lyrics and occasionally forgetting his own heart felt written lyrics (no joke he actually started a song over because he messed up within the first 6-8 bars). I love my boy Blu, but if he's looking for longevity, he's got to make some changes.

On a brighter side, check out one of Blu's hidden gems.

January Mix 2012

I haven't mixed one of these playlist in Logic since July. Since it's a new year, I've decided to try it once again. Remember, the idea is you let the single mp3 file play through completely the first time around, forcing yourself to actually listen to every song thoroughly (instead of skipping after 10 seconds), and then download the Zip file with all the individual tracks. It's a little old school, but I feel this way is better for the listener and might actually decrease the amount of songs that unfortunately get slept on.

January it self was a pretty rough start for Hip Hop releases. With only really about 3 releases that I cared for, it was definitely hard to come up with a playlist this time around. So much for my notion of too much music coming out. This month actually felt like more of a shortage than a surplus; compared to previous months in which I've put together mixes. This is actually displayed in this mix since it's only 12 tracks long (shortest mix thus far). Regardless the mix is still great with its balance of both soothing, thought provoking melodies and upbeat, head nodding slappers.

Best song of the month goes to Chip Tha Ripper. As a matter of fact, so does best cover art.

Download January Mix 2012 and then the Zip.