Biggie...

The Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy by Warner-Music

Meanwhile, In Hip Hop

Best of 2011 - Music

Yeah, I know; "Skip, January is almost over and you're just posting your best albums of 2011?"  What can I say?  My bad.

Can I say in my defense that I got some fancy pants headphones for X-Mas that completely altered my "Best of 2011" list?  Seriously, the speakers I was using on 12/24 made what I was listening to sound like mud.  The addition of the headphones completely altered my list.

Oh, are you curious now?

Five Trends I'd Like To See In Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop, like most genres of music, tends to get caught up in trends.  There was a time when everyone was creating mafia-esque pseudonyms.  In recent years we've seen the rise and death of auto-tune.  We've seen throwbacks become the uniform.  And gold chains are always fashionable.



But there are some things that are barely represented in Hip-Hop that I feel could be huge trends.  Or at the very least, these are five trends that I think would be cool to see happen.

Fleshing Out Jay-Z

I've got Jay-Z's first book Decoded sitting on my bookshelf.  It's next to some graphic novels and a book on screenwriting.  I've yet to finish it.



I flipped through it when I got it and really the book lost me when I read Jay-Z's annotations of his lyrics.  That dude was seriously working overtime trying to make his rhymes deeper than they actually were.



Decoded was a pretty successful attempt to loft Jay-Z in the rarefied air of artistry.  Now he's thought of as a contender for G.O.A.T. and as genuine thoughtful artist.



Ok.



Well, if Jay-Z is such a great writer I'd really like to see him address some actual topics.  I mean, really, anyone can rhyme about money, cash, hoes and girls, girls, girls.  But imagine if he rhymed about something of genuine importance?

Remembering - Blaze

As the 20th Century came to a close magazine stands were literally littered with magazines devoted to Hip-Hop.  Obviously The Source and XXL were around, but so were Vibe, Rap Pages, ego trip, Rap Sheet.

Man, how times have changed.

But my favorite Hip-Hop magazine from that era was Blaze, and eleven years ago this month, it's final issue came out.

FOX News vs Common (Sense)

Ok, so this FOX News attack on Common is officially out of control.  It was funny in the beginning.  It was like a cute little throwback to the culture wars of the 1990's.  "Hey remember when Dan Quayle attacked Tupac? Well now your kids can say they experienced something as absurd as that."

But this "story" is still going on?

It's bloody ridiculous.  Allow me to explain.

Cesar Luciano - The Great Depression (Mixtape)

Providence's Pride and joy back with another banger.. Three tapes in four months.. always quality over quanity.. That said, I'd say this kids got a lot on his young mind and something to say worth a listen or a hundred.. Download link below..

Cesar Luciano - The Great Depression

previously Cesar Luciano - Black Thursday Mixtape

"Follow these rules, you'll have mad bread to break up..."

My Future Wedding Singers...

I was sold at the 1:05 mark.

Five Musical Acts I'm Trying to Get Up On in '11

I know, I know, it's already April, it's way late to be announcing who I'm trying to be down with this year.  Yeah, it's true, but what are you going to do?  It's like a New Year's Resolution; if you don't announce it, there's nothing holding you do it.

And I generally do a pretty good job of diving headfirst into artists.  For instance, last year I got into Kings of Leon, The Avett Brothers, Ben Kweller, M. Ward and The Black Keys.

But 2011 is a new year, so I've got to cement who I'm trying to get down with this year.

New Music From Driz Lo

New music from Philadelphia bred spitter Driz.

He has a smooth delivery and a "I'm-a-regular-dude-from-around-the-way" kinda vibe about himself that's refreshing if you're tired of listening to rappers who tell you how much richer they are than you while threatening to shoot you before they make your girl blow them in a luxury sedan.

Check it out, the website and album, The Missing Element, should be dropping soon. 

Point/Counterpoint Special Edition - Slaughterhouse on Shady/Aftermath

Point, by Jay1:

Slaughterhouse signing to Shady/Aftermath is a moderately big deal.  It might actually be a sign of a sea change for Hip-Hop,  and anyone who's sleeping on this or considers to be an insignificant signing is a fool.

Here are some things to consider:

Valentines Music Drop: Gramz 4 Sale - Take Me, Cesar Luciano - For Your Love, The Have Knotz - Blue Valentine

Gramz 4 Sale - Take Me by allday_Pnc

More Valentines Mixtapes....






CLICK TITLE ABOVE FOR DOWNLOAD LINK




CLICK TITLE ABOVE FOR DOWNLOAD LINK


Shout out to Poetry In A Crack Pot for the music.

Skip's Grammy Picks!

It's that time of year again when The Powers That Be decide to load February full of pop culture events in an attempt to take the spotlight away from Black History Month. The Super Bowl. The Academy Awards. The Napa Valley Mustard Festival.

But this Sunday we're all supposed to be distracted by the Grammys, so we at Fish & Spaghetti decided it'd only be right if we gave our picks.  I called heads.

And lost.

Mac Tay Capone

No comment.

Top 10 Albums of ‘10

I know, I know; everyone’s wondering what music I loved last year. I can’t tell you how many people have come up to me on the street and said “hey Skip, would it be possible for you to rundown what you thought the best releases of 2010 were?”

Under normal circumstances I wouldn’t entertain such obvious requests. But it’s a new year and I’ve decided that one of the ways I’m going to be a better person is by being better to everyone checking in on Fish & Spaghetti.

But be warned; once you move beyond this you’ll have intimate knowledge of what came out in 2010 that knocked my socks off. And there’s no coming back from that.

Smoke Dza - George Kush Da Button

new mixtape from Smoke Dza... if your a fan of the good leaf, than you should be a fan of this
click title above for download link

Wale - More About Nothing ( Mixtape )

We still bump part 1, it's a bonifide classic, so we really didn't even have to think twice about jumping all over the sequel. DMV stand up.


Download

VIDEO: Young Ase feat. 40 Cal - I Declare War

You can follow Young Ase on twitter at @YoungAse1 ... skeeeme