Metal Lungies

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRUG6bYr-RQ[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USSyICRkrFM[/youtube] [Sorry, no “Coolie High” video available. You’re wrong for that, YouTube.]

I wouldn’t trust YouTube commenters as far as I could throw ’em, but reading through what people say about these videos, it seems like, for a hip hop fan, either you love Camp Lo like a first-born child, or you’ve never heard of ’em. For those of us in that first category, be on the look out for Ski Beatz Presents: Camp Lo… Another Heist, an EP due out this August, produced entirely by Ski (the same Ski who produced all but one song on the Lo’s classic debut Uptown Saturday Night, and produced 4 tracks on Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt). Here’s a snippet of the EP’s first single, “Ticket For 2,” courtesy of XXL.

And because there’s no such thing as too much Camp Lo, here’s a video for a track they did with DJ Honda sometime in ’98.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrLIgu7ej70[/youtube] Sphere: Related Content

Just saw this, really puts it in perspective how well received Budden’s mixtape series is. I’m looking forward to this as much as I look forward to retail releases. When you put out a trailer for a mixtape that doesn’t look foolish you know there is a high demand. Oh by the way, Joe Budden is Rapper #42983423 caught up in label politics. Now we need a trailer for We Got It For Cheap Vol.3!

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Speaks kind of negatively about the state of hip hop and the music industry when being released by a record label is cause for celebration, doesn’t it? Peep the trailer for (new free agents) Dilated Peoples’ Release Party DVD/CD, set for release July 31st.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwilPOUl9is[/youtube]

I found it kind of refreshing to hear Evidence say that they went to Capitol Records because they were gonna let Dilated “do their shit.” That was back around ’99-’00 — funny how times change. It seemed as if Capitol was down for the cause at first, and Dilated wasn’t doing that bad sales-wise (I can’t recall if Expansion Team went gold, but if it didn’t, it came really close). But as the years passed, and groups like Dilated became less relevant to the masses, and major labels became less interested in putting money behind artists with smaller (but loyal) fanbases, it became clear that the relationship wasn’t going to last. That’s probably why neither side put much effort behind 20/20, which was hardly promoted and not up to par with the group’s previous work.

Having met and gotten autographs from Ev, Rakaa and Babu after a performance a few years back, I can say that they put on a killer live show, they’ve released some great music (including Ev’s recently-released solo debut, The Weatherman LP), and they’re all real stand-up guys (the fact that they stuck it out at Capitol for 4 albums serves as a testament to that). Wherever their next endeavors lead them, I’m sure they’ll be putting out more great music in the future.

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Yes, to all of you.

All two of you.

Your team pretty much tanked this past season, to the tune of a 22-60 record. They fired their coach mid-season. They rested their seasoned veterans and gave playing time to their young up-and-comers. They disgruntled their already-disgruntled star, Pau Gasol, even more. Granted, the team wasn’t that great to begin with, so they didn’t have to go too far out of their way to lose games.

But, despite all of that, there was light at the end of the tunnel. The worse they played, the more games they lost, the better percentage they had at getting the #1 or #2 pick in the draft and, in turn, the chance to select either Greg Oden or Kevin Durant, both of whom are being spoken highly of by NBA analysts as potential franchise-saving superstars. Of course, it is just talk, but nonetheless, they didn’t talk this way about Michael Olowakandi or Joe Smith.

For all that patience, all that playing of percentages, all that anticipation, the NBA Draft Lottery came and went last night… and Memphis is not #1. And I don’t mean that in a KRS-One, “I’m number one, two, three, four and FIVE!” sort of way. Memphis is #4, to be exact. They won’t get Oden. They won’t Durant. (That is, barring some sort of trade they pull off with either Portland or Seattle, but really, who would give up Oden or Durant for anything Memphis has?) They won’t even get first dibbs on whoever is left in the draft.

All cruel jokes aside, I really feel bad for (both of) you Memphis Grizzlies fans. I wish I knew of some way to help y’all through the disappointment. Fortunately, I do know of a couple of Memphis natives who can provide some words of advice (mind the dumb girl laughing in the background) …

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e1ZArZDA7U[/youtube]

Oh, and don’t feel left out, Boston Celtics’ fans — if I could have found video of two dudes from Boston jumping around and chanting “KILL YA SELF!”, I would’ve posted that too.

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He’s having a lot more fun than should be allowed for the song.

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I wonder what caused Beanie Sigel to go off on Pharell & Kanye? My guess is they wouldn’t give him good prices for beats.  You can see the whole Beanie clip here.

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  It seems as if DJ Khaled has perfect the formula for getting the right artists together to make bangin summer tracks, it looks like he isn’t looking to stop this summer by dropping We The Best on June 11.

Check out the We Takin Over Remix w/ Akon, T-Pain, Lil Kim, and Young Jeezy, all new verses. I’m a huge fan of the beat by Danja.

Also check the e-card.

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One of the best on the wheels of steel from Guitar Center Sessions.

2 For the price of one!

Part 2:

[youtube]wZBal8_7l00[/youtube]

Part 3:

[youtube]wZBal8_7l00[/youtube]

 

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