By Odeisel

It’s been a grueling holiday season, as people scrambled to get their last minute shopping in and the last days of the year bring finals for students, vacation for workers, and hangovers for office party goers.  The Planet was stout and delivered some great content with solid contribution from the entire family.

Fawn gave us the review from the blazing hot (at least in noise being made) We Are Young Money. Shelz hit us with a Classic Clash from The Coup.  From there we had a two part interview with Cypress Hill legend B-Real. Shelz came back to take a look at Susan Boyle’s phenomenal sales run, wondering whether it was time to rethink how we sell female artists. Fawn stepped back in the game and delivered with a review of Slum Village’s EP the Villa Manifesto.

We reviewed the Shinobi Ninja concert live from BB King’s in NYC, while Malice Intended let you know whether or not you should have seen Avatar. We went back to BB King’s to see whether Lloyd Banks has enough left I the tank to bring the Unit back. DJ Fusion represented to the fullest with both the weekly Fusebox Radio broadcast, and then led off our year end coverage with the Indiesent Exposure 2009 Wrap-up.

The Rowdy One hit us with a really dope Christmas edition of Out of Bounds that gave you the weekly picks, the NBA picks for the holiday schedule and hit you with all 3 of the Nike Puppets with my man Bleezy facing off on Santa, AKA Lupe Vs KRS.  You should definitely check it. In keeping with the Christmas spirit, we gave you a review of the Jadakiss/Melanie Fiona/Clipse show to the tune of Twas The Night Before Christmas. With vid. Yeah we’re ill. Not our usual content heavy week but in light of many personal tragedies faced by our staff as well as a case of the buhluhlus for yours truly, I salute the fam, and we’re really gearing up for a serious 2010.

To G.I.N.A. who has delivered some really interesting content, to Fawn Renee who came in midway and gave a us a big lift, to Malice Intended whose writing took a huge leap as he had the courage to embrace his talent to DJ Fusion who made my life a lot easier and your ears a bit busier with Indiesent Exposure, to the steady and consistent hand of The Rowdy One, The very dope photography of Shots By Scott, and the immensely dedicated shelz without whom I would not be able to do what I do, I thank you for a fantastic opening year, I challenge you to be better than you were in 2009, and I look forward to pushing you all higher.  On with the music.

Special Shout to DJ Mark for 2 very dope 90’s mixtapes (one more on the way). R.I.P. Percy Sutton.  R.I.P. George Michaels (Sports Machine, not public bathroom).

Statik Selektah Feat. Kweli, Termanology, & Royce Statik Selektah feat. Talib Kweli, Termanology, & Royce da 5′9″ – Come Around (RE Union Version)

Statik Selektah brings a lounge jazz feel to the boom bap with some heavy lyrical artillery with Royce and Kweli.  Smooth and easy listening with a few heavy bars of lyrics. A heavier, more measured Kweli manhandles this, while Term holds his own on this.  His delivery still needs work but he does what he does. Royce’s rhyme scheme on this and his verse are the bright spot on this. DOPE.

Juelz Santana Feat. Lil Wayne- Move The Damn Thing Juelz Santana ft. Lil Wayne – Move The Damn Thing – MP3WAXX

The fans have been waiting over a year for Can’t Feel My Face, the seemingly looming project between Weezy and Juelz.  If  the album sounds like this then it’s really not worth it.  The beat is tired and simple, Juelz is weak, and Wayne is slightly above meh.  If youre gonna rap about slinging dope, the operative word is dope and this aint it.  Pass.

AZ Feat. Nas The Essence AZ feat. Nas – The Essence (Remix)

When you hear that Nas and AZ are together on a track, you think instant classic but this is not the case.  They pass the mic back and forth like EPMD which neutralizes both of their effectiveness. The beat is nothing special, and to hear Nas talking about  the hoes, in light of his present predicament is a bit high on the unintentional comedy scale. This song isn’t wack but it doesn’t raise a single hair on your arms. Meh.

Black Milk- Keep Going Black Milk – Keep Going

Detroit represents Hip-Hop to the fullest and Black Milk is no exception.  The staccato production on this takes about a bar to catch but once you do it’s pretty dope. Milk comes off a bit young Em-ish/Royce-ish in cadence but that’s presumably due to regional accents and tenor. The song can deal with another voice on it to break up the monotony, but overall it’s a win.  Solid.

Charles Hamilton- Loserville Charles Hamilton – Loserville

Although he identifies with Sonic, I prefer to think of him as Charlie Brown. No matter how many times we pull that football from him and he ends up on his back, he never stays there long, and is alwasy back for more.  I applaud him.  This song, while appropriately titled, is an example of why you can’t turn your back on him even while you can’t bet on him.  What he lacks in charisma, he has in pacing and honesty and fearlessness.  Not the greatest song’ I ever heard, but cool for a couple listens.

And that’s it for another week. Make sure you check out our Year End wrap-ups for the remainder of the week and check out Planet Ill Radio.  Peace Out, Brussel sprouts.