Lincolns

MP3: Talib Kweli & Dead Prez - Sharp Shooters

One of my best buddies growing up, Wes, used to make me the dopest hip hop mixes in high school. In one he scattered all of the hits from the now legendary Lyricist Lounge 2 comp on Rawkus, including today's mp3, which came up in conversation with Matthew this past weekend. It's a fucking hit, and really should be in the forefront of both artist's career highlights like I've always considered it to be.

That's gonna do it for the week, nuders. Keep it sleazy, I'm going to see the Warriors on the big screen tonight!

Reflections.

I loved the "Train of Thought" record by Reflection Eternal (aka Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek) a whole ton when I first heard it way back when. I was in high school and my friends & I would constantly add tracks from it to mix tapes and cd-rs to skate to (this was pre iPods aka I'm old). It was fucking dope. Some of my favourite memories are during those sessions.

So, 10 years later, the duo reunite for their sophomore lp "Revolutions Per Minute". From what I've heard so far, it is less influenced by where those dudes were at in that time (post-Black Star, Hi-Teknology, the Rawkus sound) and more in tune to their current personas... which is fine, great even. Really, on their own they've had some highs and lows, but in the end I've always been happy that they are around and at the end of the day, they're still part of the best things about hip-hop.

So check out a stream of "Midnight Hour" featuring Estelle (which is the clean version, but don't let that stop you) and see what the fellas are up to. So far so good. Now let's get that Black Star follow up started.

"Revolutions Per Minute" is out May 18th.

The Best Song(s) Ever: Definition + RE: DEFiniton

MP3: Black Star - Definition
MP3: Black Star - RE: DEFinition

It may seem like cheating, but any fan of Black Star will tell you that these 2 songs are pretty much one. Mos Def and Talib Kweli created what is hands down my personal favourite hip hop album ever. Really, any song from it could be posted here, but I went with this one-two punch as it always brings me chills.

What really gets me is when "Definition" turns into "RE: DEFinition", the beat changes up and the song evolves into something just as great as what was before it, never shedding what worked in the first place. Black Star's appeal was that they were intelligent without sounding ostentatious and had beats that were accessible to any fan of music.

All throughout the record, each MC shines a little more than the other, but on these jams, everyone brought their A-game. I hope beyond all hope that they make a second record before I die, even if it sucks. Fingers crossed, friends.