By shelz.
And the Beat is back folks and it’s been one interesting week… for just about everything. Brett Favre has some naked pictures floating around? I know this would have made a lot of ladies happy 10-15 years ago. I don’t know so much about now. Tameka Raymond has some damn near naked pictures floating around too and the photographer was nice enough to airbrush stretch marks on her this time.
Anyway, Randy Moss has been traded back to Minnesota for like a 12th round draft pick and a Walmart gift card and Nas channeled his inner Tony Soprano while getting in Def Jam’s ass for holding onto The Lost Tapes 2. So if you are all about the drama and famous people with no clothes on, it’s been your kind of week.
But we are here to talk about music, right?
We are practically all Hip-Hop this week with a dash of R&B. Folks have been stepping up their ambition this week and digging in the crates for more than the obvious hot-right-now track. The only problem with that is a classic track does require a top tier lyrical performance. Does everybody succeed? Let’s jump in and find out.
First up we have a two-for-one release. It’s a beat jack. It’s a cover. It’s Goapele covering Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” over Kanye’s “Runaway.” Interesting. I don’t know if I like the combination. Kanye’s track is eerie and with Prince’s lyrics about heartbreak, the song becomes very melancholy-stalker-girl-ish.
Goapele – “Nothing Compares 2 U”
Next up is another flight of classic fancy. Donnis decided to make use of Xhibit’s break out hit, “Paparazzi” for this freestyle. X talked about rappers who were in the game for the check and not the art. In Donnis’ first verse he says he trying to get to the “million dollar home with the four car garage and the drive way made of cobblestone.” Sigh.
Donnis – “Paparazzi”
I don’t know if this is a freestyle or what, but the mix of Fat Boys and Biggie is pretty dope. Fred The Godson doesn’t do anything for me. There is something generic about him. He isn’t bad, just pretty tepid. You might like this though.
Fred The Godson – “Too Fat”
Jada and Styles go in on “So Appalled” and the track plays great as sinister foundation under this pair. Plus is it me or does it really sound like Styles is actually freestyling? Okay maybe not. Either way this is dope. Make sure you listen at least twice.
Jadakiss and Styles P – “So Appalled”
Jadakiss Ft. Styles P – So Appalled GUTTAHIPHOP.COM
Moving on, we have Kyle Lucas kidnapping Gangstarr’s track, “Right Where You Stand.” This is one of Jada’s best features ever. I am not familiar with this Lucas guy and he isn’t bad but I just find myself wanting to hear Jada. The Alicia Keys shot? I’ve been saying that for years. Hot sauce and jelly together? Gross. Try to enjoy though.
Kyle Lucas – “Right Where You Stand”
Kyle_Lucas-Right_Where_You_Stand_Freestyle-2dope
Last, but not least ,is a cover of Maxwell’s “Pretty Wings” by Daley. If you remember, he’s the same vocalist from The Gorillaz’ new song, “Donca Matic (All Played Out).” Again, you have a relatively unknown artist stepping into some huge shoes. He’s not bad, but you know he’s not Maxwell. Anyway, that’s going to be it for today. Check you in seven.
Daley – “Pretty Wings”
[pro-player width=’455′ height=’344′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wihqOJhA0-Q[/pro-player]
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