Beyonce vs. Rihanna
December 10, 2011
Okay, we’ll all be arguing for the rest of our lives over who’s better: Jay-Z or Nas? Biggie or Tupac? But there’s one debate that’s been brewing for the past year or so, and I feel like now is a good time to bring it up, because I’ve been listening to both of their latest albums a lot recently in the whip with my family. Beyonce or Rihanna? To be fair, Beyonce’s kind of her elder, and she’s been around a little longer. But Rihanna has a few albums out now, and has been a part of enough hit records to compete. They’re both female R & B artists, but they’ve got different styles, swag, voices, production sounds, etc. The only person I’ve really had this discussion with is my wife, who maintains that Beyonce is better. And I can’t be mad at that. We’ve all seen her perform on award shows, and she’s ridiculous. And she’s got plenty of hits. Plus, she makes dope videos, and she’s hot as shit. But Rihanna, I don’t know. There is something super ill about her. Her voice, her look, her chi. She’s bad. And I’m starting to think that I just like her music better. I mean, her album Loud got nominated for Grammy Album of the Year, and Beyonce’s 4 didn’t. And Rihanna’s new album that just dropped last month, Talk That Talk has some of her best work to date on it. I don’t know. When its all said and done, can Rihanna take the crown from Beyonce as “hottest chick in the game”? Here’s their two latest videos to help aide this discussion. Check out Beyonce’s “Countdown” up top, and Rihanna’s “We Found Love” below. Each song and video is vastly different, but they’re both incredible….
Thoughts? Here’s one more from each of them to help. Both these tracks are my shit…
Beyonce “Party”
Rihanna “Man Down”
Well?
*UPDATE*
I knew I was on to something. Look, a few days later, and now Rolling Stone is breaking down the same debate HERE.
Philly Flavor
December 10, 2011
My latest interview for Steve Stoute’s The Tanning Of America website was with pro skateboarder/DGK brand owner Stevie Williams, the self-proclaimed “Jay-Z of skateboarding.” We had a very in-depth and candid discussion about his career, race, business, and hip-hop. Here’s the synopsis, with link below…
When Stevie Williams asserts that he is the “Jay-Z of skateboarding,” he doesn’t mean it as a hyperbole. After obtaining his first sponsorship at 11, a 15-year-old Williams left his humble Philadelphia roots to pursue a pro career in the popular skate hub of San Francisco. He lived homeless in The Bay for almost four years, sharpening his skills and making connections, and eventually his grind paid off. As skateboarding grew in popularity through the late ‘90s and early aughts, Williams bubbled along with it, building relationships with sponsors, touring the world, and founding his own brand, DGK (Dirty Ghetto Kids), which he eventually licensed to Reebok. Now with the popularity of skateboarding at an all-time high, and an inner city skate movement continuing to blossom due to hip-hop co-signs from artists like Pharrell Williams, Lupe Fiasco, Lil Wayne, and new kids on the asphalt, Odd Future, Stevie Williams’ fame is sizzling, and his DGK brand is more prominent in the marketplace than ever.
In this extensive interview, Williams brings us back to how he used to get made fun of by other black kids in his Philadelphia neighborhood for skateboarding, his early bouts with racism as a professional skateboarder (though he maintains there is no internal racial tension in the skate community), and how he got invited to hang out with Michael Jackson at Neverland Ranch. He also explains how he learned the hard way to embrace Pharrell’s efforts to help skateboarding grow in the inner city, why he’s inspired by Lil Wayne’s dedication to the sport (they skate together all the time), and how listening to Jay-Z’s music helped him in the business world.
The Tanning Interview with Stevie Williams
One topic that came up in the interview was Philly rappers. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Stevie Williams favorite Philly rapper is Oschino from State Property. How real is that? So to celebrate Stevie’s favorite rapper, and his Philly roots, here’s a video for one of my favorite State Property songs featuring Oschino, Sparks, and Young Chris, “Do You Want Me”….
And how could I post Philly rap videos without putting a clip up of Peedi Crakk?!?! Check this footage of him going in for almost twenty minutes on the radio in Delaware. This is how you’re supposed to spit when you’re live on the air. No Blackberry, no major flubs, no excuses. Just endless bars. This is crazy….
Plus, some brand new shit from Peedi Crakk’s right hand man, Indy 500, featuring Freeway and PC, called “Run It.” Shout to my dude Ariel, a WP native turned Philly resident, for putting me on to this. Indy 500 and Peedi had some shit on this Best of Peedi Crack mixtape I made with DJ ROZ. Check it out…
Also, since we’re talking about Philly, The Roots have a new album that dropped this week, Undun. And since I already told my The Roots story a couple years ago on Westcheddar about how I rapped on stage with them live when I was 18 at The Knitting Factory, I thought I’d post their recent appearance on hip-hop podcast Juan Epstein with my dudes Cipha Sounds and Rosenberg to promote their latest release…
Juan Epstein with The Roots (Black Thought and ?uest Love)
Thanks for the flavor, Philly. Haven’t been to visit in a while, but hopefully I’ll see you soon. Oh yeah, if you missed my interview on Complex with Philly rapper Asher Roth, read it HERE. Uno.
Root For The Villain
December 10, 2011
I first connected with J-Zone back in the late 90′s, when he initially broke in to the underground NYC rap scene. We had some mutual friends from White Plains, because even though he was originally from Queens, he spent a lot of time in the 914, going to school in Mamaroneck as a kid, and attending SUNY Purchase (where he wrote and produced his debut album Music For tu Madre). Anyway, I remember sending J-Zone a copy of a live show I did at the Kaffa House in D.C. He actually listened to it, and he showed me love when we talked on the phone, but we never really linked up beyond that. Still, I was always a fan, and thought he was a talented dude. Here’s a throwback off his first album called “So Pretty” featuring his boy Al-Shid. This shit brings me way back…
Now it’s over ten years later, and J-Zone, who regularly contributes to Ego Trip’s website, just released a book titled Root For the Villain. It’s an autobiography of sorts, chronicling his successes and failures as a hip-hop artist, and contains some stories about his time spent in Westchester County. Definitely go cop this asap. You won’t be disappointed. Get to know the man behind the music below in this promo for the book, as he shows us the rules of Pay Phone Pimpin’…
And peep this episode of The 10s we did on UpNorthTrips with J-Zone, highlighting his 10 personal favorite outside productions…
Shout to J-Zone for being a true hip-hop artist and scholar. It was a pleasure catching up with him for the UpNorthTrips piece. We spent about a half hour or so talking about old school White Plains spots like Sam Goody and Music Plus, which was quite the trip down memory lane. Again, I encourage you all to check out his book. It’s excellent.
*BONUS*
Here’s a couple other episodes of The 10s I did recently…
UpNorthTrips Presents The 10s | Make The Music With Your Mouth: 10 Beatbox Bangers
UpNorthTrips Presents The 10s | MPC | MC x Producer Combination | Prodigy x Alchemist
On The Road with Asher Roth
December 4, 2011
My relationship with Asher Roth has gone through many stages. First, at the height of my hip-hop fame (after dropping “My Ferris Buellers”), I dissed him on wax, and it ended up on NahRight and all over the Internet. Then, a few weeks later, I saw him backstage at a Peter Rosenberg event and said what’s up, and it was all peace. At another Rosenberg event months after that, I met his boys Boyder and Brain Bangley, and his DJ Wreckineyez, and again, all peace, and lots of laughs even about the diss. Then, Asher dropped his Seared Foie Gras with Quince and Cranberry mixtape, and I loved it. So I wrote this post on Westcheddar called Deconstructing Asher, breaking down why I dissed him, and how I became his biggest fan. I tweeted the link to him, and he read it, and hit me back showing mad love and appreciation. Later that morning, we talked on the phone for about an hour, about everything, and ever since we’ve been friends. And now, with his new Def Jam deal signed (WOW!), and a new album and mixtape on the way, I reached out to interview Asher about what he loves to do most: perform live. Check the link to this exclusive Complex interview below, all about his live performance history…
Complex Magazine Interview: On The Road with Asher Roth
Also, check out Asher’s latest video above for “In The Kitchen” produced by Chuck Inglish of The Cool Kids, off his upcoming mixtape Pabst & Jazz due later this month. Shit’s dope, and it features a cameo from none other than Action Bronson. Shout to Ash and his whole crew, best of luck with the new deal! Oh, and if you want some seriously entertaining whiteboy rap shit in your life, check out Boyder and Brain’s new mixtape For The Story.
*BONUS*
Speaking of in the kitchen, The Fader Magazine paid a visit to Action Bronson’s crib last week to film him making leftover Thanksgiving sliders. If you saw his Bronson Burger, then you already know these things are off the meat rack. Peep game.
*By the way, this is my 500th Westcheddar post! Thanks to all my loyal readers who check out the site on the reg! Got something very epic (and I never use that word so you know I mean it) coming soon to celebrate….
Treasure Chest
November 19, 2011
I listened to Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black today on my ride over the Tappan Zee Bridge up to Woodbury Commons with my family. It sounded fresh as ever. I also threw on the two leaks from Lioness: Hidden Treasures, her posthumous collection of unreleased gems that’s set to drop December 5th, “Like Smoke” featuring Nas (his first verse is super sick), and Amy’s brilliant reggae cover version of “Our Day Will Come.” They’re both incredible records. I’m so psyched for this release. Too bad she had to pass for us to finally get some new music from her. I’m definitely still grieving as a fan and music lover over this loss. Lucky for us, her music will live on forever. Here’s the official video for “Our Day Will Come”….
Rest In Peace…
Take Care
November 15, 2011
Well, Drake did it. He made a dope second album, and dodged the curse of the sophomore slump. Personally, I’ve been anticipating this album for months. Yes, I’m a fan. He can sing, he spits, and he makes great songs. Since “Marvin’s Room” dropped earlier this summer, I knew something special was brewing. If you like the way Drake sings, there’s plenty of gems on here (“Shot For Me,” “Doing It Wrong,” “Take Care,” “The Real Her”). If you like the way he raps, he’s got that covered too (“The Ride,” “Crew Love,” and especially “Look What You’ve Done”). And all the guests, from Rihanna to Stevie Wonder to The Weeknd, shine properly (except Andre 3000 but that may be me just being too critical of his weird flow haha). Def go cop this album. It’s the freshest thing in hip hop and R&B on the market by far…
My dudes at Complex got Drake for the cover of the upcoming issue, and they published not only the full cover story online, but also a nine page uncut interview with Drake. Read both below…
DRAKE UNCUT INTERVIEW (COMPLEX)
Also worth reading is GQ’s interview with Drake’s producer Noah “40″ Shebib, who really is responsible for making this album super dope. Read HERE. Congrats to Drizzy on the drop! Take care…
Lonely Boy
November 15, 2011
Leave it to The Black Keys to do some next shit with their music videos. For their new single “Lonely Boy” off their upcoming album El Camino, The Black Keys scrapped their whole video shoot after spotting an extra doing some crazy dance moves, and let him be the lone star of the clip. And he’s off the hook. Check his sick moves up top (he one-taked it!), and read the back story on how it happened HERE. Hollerrrrr.
Hip Hop Is Alive
October 21, 2011
Some of my friends recently engaged me in a discussion about hip hop. They thought it was dead, and I told them that wasn’t the case. Yes, like them, I yearn to hear songs that sound like the classic material we grew up on by artists like Nas, Biggie, Mobb Deep, and Wu-Tang Clan. And to some extent, they’re right about the death of hip hop, especially when talking about classic albums (I can probably count on one hand the number of high quality rap LPs that have been released in the last few years). However, there are still really great hip hop songs being made in 2011, which only means there is hope that another Illmatic is around the corner. But my friends are a bit out of the loop, so they assume that the only things popping are what comes across their limited radar via TV and radio. Most of them aren’t exactly combing the blogs or listening to underground satellite shows and podcasts in search of the new hotness.
And that’s the thing. To know that the real shit is still ringing off, you need to pay attention, and know where to look. And that’s why I’m here, to share it with you. Open your ears ladies and gentleman! Some of our favorite hip hop artists from yesteryear are still making great songs. Check out Showbiz and A.G.’s latest release, “Show and A,” off their upcoming album Mugshot Music (see a classic pic of the duo from an old issude of The Source pictured above). This is the hardest beat I’ve heard in years. And the raps are dope too. This song is proof that real New York City hip hop is alive!
Oh, and I should mention, though it is somewhat of a limited pool, there are new artists that are still making great hip hop music too, like Jay Electronica and Action Bronson. And your favorites from the 90′s like Nas and Mobb Deep are still dropping high quality shit as well. It doesn’t come in abundance, but there are still gems that can be heard amidst the bullshit. Stay tuned to Westcheddar, I’ll keep you in the loop, don’t worry.
P.S. Speaking of loops, I looped up this beat up and wrote three verses and a hook to it today. First song I’ve written in months. Thank you Showbiz and A.G. for the inspiration. Peace.
Fruit Bats Banger
October 10, 2011
I’ve known about the Fruit Bats for a while now, and I always thought they were cool. They’re signed to SubPop, their leader Eric D. Johnson spent the past couple years playing guitar with my favorite band of all time The Shins touring and recording (supposedly him and James Mercer are great friends), and they’ve put out some solid albums over the past decade that have that Shins-y, indie folk feel that I love. But for a band to truly win my heart, I need to hear that one song of theirs, that gem, that track that I hear and right away I know, yo, THAT SHIT IS DOPE. Well, this morning I finally heard it. I was on Twitter, and I saw that the Fruit Bats were the featured band on Paste Magazine’s website, and when I clicked the link to the article, their song “Tangie and Ray” (from their new album Tripper) started streaming. And it hit me in the domepiece! This is the one! Check it out above and hear for yourself. And then, watch them perform it live on KEXP in Seattle HERE.
Want more Fruit Bats? Go to their official website/blog, and also watch their 80′s infused video for the first single from Tripper “You’re Too Weird”. It’s mad weird! Have a great evening…
Feisty Lady
October 6, 2011
I fucks with Feist. She’s a cool chick, and definitely a talented songwriter. “Gatekeeper” was the first track I heard from her that I really fell in love with, and I dug “My Moon My Man” too off her last album. But her latest release, “How Come You Never Go There” from her new album Metals (which I hear she recorded in a barn at Big Sur), is probably my favorite song she’s ever recorded. Enjoy.
Check out more of Metals HERE. Hollerrrrr.
