Serius Jones - Oh Baby

Ayo, that old man screaming at the end of this had me weak!!! Serius took some shots at some rappers on this, but I don't see anything brewing (luckily). No matter what he does going forward, he's always going to be the guy that said Charles Hamilton looked liked a "new AKA" LMAO!!!

Serius Jones- "Oh Baby" (Official Video) from Light up Productions on Vimeo.

Snoop Dogg feat. Jamie Foxx - I Wanna Rock

Big Snoop Dogg is back on the scene. I guess we can call him Calvin know because he's all grown up. The song isn't bad.

Empire State of Mind (Live at the American Music Awards)

I believe the correct term is Better Late Than Never.

Artist Spotlight - Carlitta Durand

Ms. Durand is no newcomer to the music industry, but she is far from a household name. Fans of Little Brother (Sirens, After the Party) and Zo! (Nights Over Egypt) are very aware of the vocal stylings of Carlitta. I had to step back and take notice when I heard "Nights Over Egypt" because the vocals were so smooth and because it is my favorite track off ...Just Visiting Too. Her mixtape has gotten great reviews and I know she is poised for a big break in the near future. She has a variety of styles and won't be pigeon-holed easily. Check out "A New Life" and you will hear a hint of Ella Fitzgerald on a hip-hop/big band beat. Then on a track like "Zoom" there is a futuristic, high-intensity vibe going on. This may be her best attempt at a party track. But, most of the songs I've heard have been more sultry than anything. I think she does a great job of knowing how much vocal force to give each song. If it calls for her to hold back a little, she does that really well. Also, her voice sounds slightly different from song to song which is really good so the music doesn't become predictable. North Carolina is sooooooooooo slept on when it comes to the music scene. I'm hoping that all the work that Little Brother, Carlitta Durand, and others continue to do will bring that area the much needed props they deserve.

My Personal Carlitta Durand soundtrack:

You Got Me Pt. 1
Zoom
This Time Around - RoddyRod feat. Carlitta Durand and Phonte (video below)
Nights Over Egypt - Zo! feat. Carlitta Durand
What If?

http://www.myspace.com/missdurand

RoddyRod feat Carlitta Durand and Phonte - "This Time Around" from Humble Monarch on Vimeo.

Sharp and Sir - Never

Something new coming from the DYT. More local music will be on its way in the near future I promise. Official video will be posted when it drops.


Never (Official Video COMING SOON)

SHARP | MySpace Video

Freestyle Friday's at Denny's feat. Wale and J. Cole

Lol. Aren't you supposed to flow in restaurants AFTER you rap career is over? There must be a lot of down time on this tour.

Slaughterhouse - Microphone

"I'll have your clothes looking like they was designed by 'Bullet holes and shoe prints" - Royce 5'9

One of the best songs on the album finally gets some much needed visuals to go with it. The video seems kinda all over the place, but I like the tattoo parlor shots and the whole pig theme they got going on. For those of you who haven't bought the album yet I suggest you make it a Christmas present to yourself.

HOT ONES - Big Pun - The Dream Shatterer

I love lyrics. I love when artists go hard (no homo) and really let their lyrical ability shine in their music. So I figured I'd spotlight some of my favorite rap verses of all time on The Chop Up in a feature I so cleverly named "Hot Ones." Okay, it might not really be that clever, but "Hip Hop Quotable" was already taken dammit! On the debut installment of "Hot Ones" Christoper "Big Pun" Rios shows why he is the numero uno when it comes to Latin rappers.

Big Pun - "The Dream Shatterer" - First Verse

"Ayo, I shatter dreams like Jordan, assault and batter your team,
Your squadron will be barred from rap like Adam & Eve from the garden.
I'm carvin' my initials on your forehead,
So every night before bed you see the "BP" shine off the board head.
Reverse that, I curse at the first wack nigga with the worst rap, cause he ain't worth jack,
Hit 'em with a thousand pounds of pressure per slap,
Make his whole body jerk back, watch the earth crackhand him his purse back.
I'm the first Latin rapper to baffle your skull,
Master the flow, niggas be swearin' I'm blacker than coal,
Cole like Nat King, I be rapping and tongue's packing,
The ones, magnums, cannons and Gatling guns.
It's Big Pun. The one and only son of Tony....Montana,
You ain't promised manana in the rotten manzana.
C'mon-pana we need more rhymers, feel the marijuana snake bite anaconda,
A man of honour wouldn't wanna try to match my persona.
Sometimes rhymin' I blow my own mind like Nirvana,
Comma, and go the whole nine like Madonna,
Go try to find another rhymer with my kinda gramma."

Andy Samberg/The Lonely Island - Throw It On The Ground

"Happy Birthday to the GROUND!!!!" and "This ain't my dad, this is a cell phone!" are two of the funniest lines I've heard all year in any capacity. I don't know how he keeps coming up with this stuff. I really don't do comedy albums, but I think I'm going to cop this off iTunes soon. Disregard the skit after the video.

Gucci Mane feat. U-S-H-E-R R-A-Y-M-O-N-D - Spotlight

In case you needed another reason to smile today. GUCCI!!!!

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind

I've only been to New York once so I've only heard about the spots featured in this video. But, thanks to Hype I feel like I've gone back for a second time! This is a big song and a big video. It's going to be #1 on my list of best songs of 2009. I figured I cut the suspense and just get that out there. IT'S THA ROC!

50 feat. Ne-Yo - Baby By Me

Yay, new 50 Cent music, Yay (in your favorite Crank Yankers voice)!!! Shoutout to Kelly Rowland for taking one for the team. This is definitely no "21 Questions" but it may be, just possibly a little bit better than "Follow My Lead". Can't tell yet.

Popularity - SKYZOO

Overlooked underground (see how I did that) MC, Skyzoo goes retro with his video for "Popularity". It has a Saved By the Bell theme and even sports an Amanda Diva cameo. Sky is pretty cool and he is never at a loss for wordplay. "How popular are you, homey?"

Cormega + AZ = Affirmative Action (Live)

It seems as if SOB's has the best concerts on the planet. There is always something fresh going on there. This was one of the best B-sides of the 90's!! Everyone brought heat and the beat was sick. Only problem was that 'fuzzy math' that Fox Boogie used at the end.

Drake Performs "Successful" at Jay-Z Concert in Toronto

Drake makes a surprise appearance at Jay's show in Toronto to the delight of the crowd. I would have loved to hear "Off That" with an added Drizzy verse, but this will do. It also looks like Drake is getting more comfortable on stage. Now if he could only translate that confidence to his videos I think everything will be good for the man.

Drake Ft. Jay-Z - "Successful " [Live in Toronto] from Ro'Shine on Vimeo.