Metal Lungies

It’s been a long time, I shouldn’t have left you, without a hip hop blog cliche to step to (that being quoting the first line of "I Know You Got Soul". But can you blame them?) But we’re big Freeway & Peedi boosters here at ML, so I had to share even though I’m busy with exams.

This song knocks and Peedi and Free especially murder it. Gillie’s not bad either. It’s nice to see Philly artists supporting each other like that.

Get Down On Da Ground (RMX ft. Freeway & Peedi Crack) via Spine Magazine.

According to his Wikipedia entry, GZA describes his style as “visual and descriptive, yet at the same time succinct.” Fitting that this would come from someone with a nickname like “Genius”. I couldn’t picture Gucci Mane saying something like that.

Today’s honoree: the head of the Voltron that is the Wu. New album, Protools, due out in January.

Read the rest of this entry »

Podcast

So, we planned out a whole request show and had a bunch of songs people wanted to hear. Then we heard the news. So we scrapped the request show (we’ll do it next week) and did a Pimp C show. We go our favorite tracks from UGK, his solo albums, and his features. I can admit that I have never been a fan of much Southern rap, but Pimp C (and UGK) was an exception. The man had a huge impact on the rap game. We Pay Homage.

RIP Pimp C

Tracklist:
Jay-Z Feat. UGK- Big Pimpin’
UGK- Pocket Full Of Stones
UGK- Front, Back & Side To Side
Project Pat Feat. Pimp C- Talkin’ Smart
UGK- Dirty Money
UGK- Its Supposed To Bubble
Pimp C- Hoggin’ The Game
Project Pat Feat. Pimp C- Cause I’m A Player
UGK- The Game Belongs To Me
Three 6 Mafia Feat. UGK- Sippin’ On Some Syrup
UGK- I Left It Wet For You
UGK- Use Me Up

It’s always the quiet ones you have to watch out for…

Today’s honoree: Masta Killa. Checking out Parts 1-3 should go without saying at this point. Scroll down for ’em, there’s been a lot of posts ’round these parts lately.

Read the rest of this entry »

Wow.. this is a huge shock. Our condolences to everyone that knew Pimp C in any way. RIP Pimp C.

Per HipHopDx:

Another tragic loss has hit the Hip Hop community today as Pimp C, one half of UGK, was found dead in his hotel room this morning. He was 33 years old.

According to TMZ, a 911 call was answered by LA County Fire which led them to the Mondrian Hotel in California. When police arrived they found the Houston rapper dead in his bed.

No word yet as to the cause of his death as this story is still developing.

HipHopDX would like to send condolences to the family and friends of Pimp C during this trying time.

UPDATE: Representatives from Jive Records, UGK‘s longtime label have confirmed the death to be true.

We will keep you updated as information continues to come in.

Edit: Jive Records Statement:

It is with great sadness that Jive Records announces the passing of Chad “Pimp C” Butler, a member of the celebrated rap duo UGK (Underground Kingz). Jive Records’ President and CEO Barry Weiss states: “We mourn the unexpected loss of Chad. He was truly a thoughtful and kind-hearted person. He will be remembered for his talent and profound influence as a pioneer in bringing southern rap to the forefront. He will be missed and our prayers remain with his family and Bun B. I’ve known Chad since he was 18, and we loved him dearly and he was a cherished member of the Jive family.”

Born in Port Arthur, Texas, Butler’s father was a trumpet player who played professionally with Solomon Burke. Outside of his father, the 33-year old rapper’s influences varied, ranging from Bobby Bland, Jimmy McGriff, the 1960’s Motown artists to Run DMC. Butler met his inseparable partner Bernard “Bun B” Freeman in high school where they formed UGK. In 1992, the duo signed to Jive Records and went on release a total of eight albums for the label. They earned their highest achievement earlier this year when their most recent album, UGK (Underground Kingz), debuted in the number one position on the album pop chart. According to the New York Times, UGK “helped inspire a generation of Southern hip-hop stars, from OutKast to Lil Wayne.”

Bun B is not available for comment at this time.

Photo: NYTimes

 An addendum from AaronM: I’m busy studying for exams and haven’t had much time to contribute but when Dj01 sent me the news, I had to add this.

Hip Hop Is Read just posted two UGK tracks that show Chad’s more spiritual side. Listening to them is a good way to pay tribute to the Underground King on this sad day.

If it was possible to OD on Wu-Tang related stuff today at ML, today would probably be the day. We’re covering ALL the spectrums! (Dont be surprised if you see next: a Wu-Tang Hockey team)

Not gonna lie, those belt buckles are pretty dope. Don’t be surprised if you see one of these on copped!

More Ghost for you daily fix! With The Big Doe Rehab dropping today here are some Ghostface supplemental talking awesomeness on the set for the Celebrate video. Co-sign on Ghost’s suggestion on getting your grandma a copy of the album.

Don’t be afraid, it’s more Wu-Related goodness.

For the low-down on how ML is celebrating the Wu’s double-dose return to record store shelves, check out Parts 1 (U-God) and 2 (Raekwon). It’s required reading before proceeding. Seriously — there’s going to be a test later. There’s not going to be any grades given out or anything, and there’s not going to be an actual test, but… you know what, let’s just move on.

Today’s honoree: man of iron, face of ghost, Mr. Toney Starks. The Big Doe Rehab in stores today — Ghost would probably prefer that you pick that up over 8 Diagrams.

Gotta respect the work ethic — dropping a solo album and contributing to a Clan album, both of which are coming out within a week of each other? After dropping 2 albums in ’06? The only way I could be any less amped was if the solo LP was called Even More Fish (not because More Fish wasn’t dope, but because that’d be an ever lamer title than More Fish was).

Read the rest of this entry »

The upcoming release of 8 Diagrams has got ML geeked and we’re just looking for excuses to post about the Wu. There’s already Buhizzle’s Countdown posts, each highlighting a different group member (he’s done U-God & Raekwon thus far). But I just wanted to share this crazy news, via Wooohah!:

“Sanford Greene, current artist for the DC Comic “Wonder Girl” and the artist of MF Doom’s “Venemous Villain” cover art is now working on a Wu-Tang Clan graphic novel with the help of Method Man.”

Sounds awesome, if a little crazy. There was actually a Wu comic before this called “Nine Rings of Wu-Tang” but I don’t know much about it other than it’s an origin story of the group. To me it seems a bit like the Public Enemy comic where it’s coming at the worst possible time for the group. But this does sound interesting and Meth’s involvement is promising, as he’s apparently a big comics fan.

Click here to see some of Greene’s early concept art.