Vid of the Day: The Don

If this track doens't get you amped, check your pulse.  Nas still pretty much got all of NY on his back.  aNYone else carrying the torch these days for NY now that Kiss FM is gone?

This week in Irony: Daughters and Starships

Daughters, in which Nas reflects on the impression his questionable legacy may have left on his now teenage daughter.  How the times he wasn't always present might have contributed to her acting in ways that, although similar to his own childhood transgressions and the examples he set in his lyrics and actions, are not what he would have for his own daughter. At the same time he's realizing that he needs to let her live her life, and make her own decisions or mistakes, and that these are the experiences that make him who he is today.  In the same 24 hour span we have this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SeIJmciN8mo  from Nikki Minaj, which could very well be Nas' worst nightmare for possible daughter outcome scenarios.  It's a song about starships...and how they were meant to fly.  Key themes include: blowing all your money, not paying rent, getting high, and "fucking who you want".   The real irony is that Nas is still perceived as a "violent rapper", and Nicki Minaj is an international "popstar"...now that's gangster.

Get it Together (pt 4)

In pt 3 we looked at a couple of rapper/producers combining their skills in the studio with a steady flow on the mic. In the interest of not having this collaboration piece drag on into the weekend, we'll look at two projects coming soon that have some familiar legends of hip hop finding new inspiration by linking with other artists of their caliber.

KRS One and Buckshot
Not much can be said about either of these two MCs (KRS One and Buckshot) that hasn't already been said. The teacher, KRS ONE should be well known to anybody that has ever had an appreciation for hip hop. The first MC (we know of) to claim "I am hip hop" truly lives and breathes the art form, culture, and lifestyle that is hip hop. It's impossible to have any kind of discussion about hip hop, or MCing, without mentioning his huge contribution and dedication to the craft.

What makes this project even more exciting to fans of "the real hip hop" is that KRS is working with another legend, from the classic Black Moon MC, Buckshot. A legend in his own right, Buckshot has been doing double duty for years as an MC and businessman, founding Duck Down records, which has consistently been putting out great albums by Buckshot and other Boot Camp affiliates, and will be unleashing this Survival Skills project on the world September 15th. Check for the video of the first single, Robot, recently seen on NahRight.com.

Nas and Damian Marley
Another MC who needs no introduction, Nas started his career with what many fans argue is the best hip hop album ever. While his second album was a classic itself, and subsequent albums were consistent, it is difficult to improve on perfection, and adding a completely different sound with a reggae artists is a great chance for Nas to give his fans something completely new.

Damian Marley is obviously most well known as son of the late great Bob Marley, but became fairly popular a few years ago with his roots/dancehall anthem Welcome to Jamrock. It's difficult to play down being the son of one of the most well known musicians the world-over, but Damian has his own style, that mixes a socially conscious message with a soulful voice and blistering dancehall beats.

Already on tour together, Nas and Damian Marley caught us a bit offguard when they announced this joint project which was to be released some earlier this year, but has yet to arrive on shelves. Check out the Road to Zion video to hold you over until the album drops (hopefully later this year).