By Odeisel

Due to a bunch administrative stuff that would bore the hell out of most of you, Sick Sundays was preempted yesterday but that doens’t mean we forgot about your week in review. It was a long week for the Planet, but we got a lot of work done.  We opened the week with an interview from legendary rappers Edo G and Masta Ace, discussing their history in the music as solo artists and also they collaborative album Arts & Entertainment, which we reviewed later on in the week.

It was a week of reviews as well, as we reviewed Wale’s Attention Deficit, Melanie Fiona’s The Bridge,and Amerie’s In Love and War. We even got in a couple concert reviews with Snoop Dogg, Red & Meth, and Devin the Dude, giving the smokers a great show at the Nokia Theater, and a really dope international Hip-Hop showcase featuring Canadian act Nomadic Massive and Moroccan MC Alfaress.

On the relationship side, He Say/She Say dealt with a reader who was having problems with a brown nosing chick at work, and Deisey’s angel G.I.N.A. pretty much crapped on the hopes of all the romantics out there looking for Mr. and Mrs. Right. To balance that out, we took a look at Langston Hughes’ work reborn with a side of jazz.

We took a trip to the gully side as we explored the Raw Truth about Nas and some of his fiscal difficulties in the first installment of the ongoing column. The streets listened as we dropped a two-part Sean Price interview and as always we capped the work week off with Indiesent Exposure with an all-girl edition. For the weekend, we wrapped it up with The Rowdy One’s weekly sports column and another ill Classic Clash between Jodeci and Boyz II Men by general shelz. All good, now its time to get to the music.

Eastwood Feat. Game “California Dreams”

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Eastwood is almost like the man the West forgot. The post-Death Row West hasn’t been too kind to him as far as prominence but he hasn’t let that stop him from grinding.  This track is a bit slow and dragging but Game saves it with a charismatic, albeit it autotuned verse.  Worth a listen but not multiple ones.

Donny Goines- “Run This Town Freestyle”

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One of the hardest working MC’s in the biz has joined the long line of rappers attempting to body the hell out of this Hov originated joint.  It’s amazing how much removing the wail of Rihana changes the entire energy of this very ill beats.  Donny does this real justice and even though he doesn’t OWN it, he certainly makes it a high end rental.  Dope.

Sheek Looch “Everyday”

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The underrated cat from D Block gets down on this real ill Pete Rock beat.  While his other two partners get more of the press, Sheek’s music is nothing to sneeze at and many times can outshine his Yonkers bretheren.  Pete flips the “Lonely People.” sample and the horns are nowhere to be found and they really aren’t missed. Real dope. Bang this.

Jamie Foxx Feat Gucci Mane “Speak French”

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Song uses the same arrangement format as the Gucci/Mario hit and  for the most part the results are similar.  Really fly production on this one with the chopsticks-style keys fracturing the break and violins punctuating the secondary break this song is really sensuous yet built for the club at the same time.  Paradise Strawberry and Champagne will clap that ass to this. Jamie has another win on this evne though lyrically this isn’t the most advanced song by either Jamie or Gucci. It’s a win.

The Beatnuts -”Get Funky”

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The Beatnuts are one of the most slept on groups ever.  On this joint in particular, the freaky the “Impeach The President” and throw a bit of Bizmarkie on top for a cool out style beat which they totally lace with solid rhymes. They always had great rpoduction and this song is just one of the many jewels they dropped.

Ice Cube- “My Summer Vacation” 

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Another example of why if you are making a top MC of all time list, Oshea Jackson is impossible to exclude nless your head is up your ass. Be straight up kills the George Clinton sample with a gnagster fairy tale that delivers America’s nightmare 90’s style right to your ears and eerily chronicles the spread of gang violence into the suburbs of cities far away from the traditional urban hotspots. If you  didn’t know, now you do.

And that’s it for the Manic Monday.  A bit of the old, a few of the new, and the week that was on Planet Ill.  Keep tuning in as we continue to bring you your world, your way.  Peace

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