The Miami Heat are coming off of their second straight NBA title and third straight NBA Finals. When the Big 3 got together they brought high expectations of multiple titles but the question is how many more can they win. When you look at the Heat roster you see that they don’t have a lot of young talent and the core of the team is starting to age. Each of the Big 3 members are heading into their 10th season in the NBA next year. The average age of the members on the roster is 31 years old making them one of the oldest teams in the NBA. As we see when teams get older is the inability to stay healthy.
Wade’s knees are going against him and that isn’t going to help the Heat. If they want to win championships they need him to stay healthy. You saw what Miami could be when Wade plays like the old Wade but when he doesn’t this team is less imposing to opponents. And with other teams getting better the Heat need Dwayne Wade at his best.
Next year when Derrick Rose comes back from injury he will instantly make Chicago the biggest threat to the Heat. Also the Pacers who took Miami to a seven game series are going to get better as Paul George and Roy Hibbert continue to develop making them a serious threat. In the Western Conference you will have Westbrook coming back from injury making the Thunder championship contenders once again. There are many more teams that can contend with the Heat making the road to a championship much harder.
Derrick Rose sat out this season but will be ready for next year.
So how many more championships are the Heat going to win? In my opinion the Heat have one more championship run left in them. With the Eastern Conference getting stronger and the Heat getting older their championship window is diminishing.
As much as you lovely people might like to think otherwise, Froond is not perfect. I wish I could be an omniscient being of dopeness, at the forefront of everything that’s cooler than being cool. Instead, like the rest of the mortals, I have to play catch up on occasion. Raving about last month’s or year’s hotness like a kid running to the playground only to find that nobody is repping Beyblades anymore. Twas ever thus. If you want to follow along, I have something that caught my eye even though my eye should have caught it sooner.
The Uncluded – Delicate Cycle
Aesop Rock is one of my all time favorite rhymers. His flow is non-stop, his lyrics are dense, and he’s got more than a few punchlines that take me a couple listens to fully grasp. After last year’s stellar Skelethon, he’s taken up a collaboration with folk singer Kimya Dawson to form The Uncluded. They have collaborated before, on Aes‘s anti-burial funeral dirge Crows 1and Kimya‘s ode to the struggle Zero or a Zillion, so this two-great-tastes-team-up isn’t entirely out of left field. The styles pay incredible compliments to one another on this track off of their debut album Hokey Fright. Aesop spins a tale of giving away every piece himself for the sake of helping the people he loves, while Kimya reminisces on childhood laundromats and the sense of community it fostered.
Imperfect human that I am, I made a mistake that many are prone to. I looked in the comments section on Delicate Cycle. Even the positive comments seemed pretty backhanded. People talking about how Dawson is child-like and how Aesop is spitting nonsense. I understand what they’re getting at. Dawson has a simplistic style that carries a sense of wide-eyed wonder, but she’s doing it from a very adult perspective. Check her second verse
I was 26 years old when I first lived in a house/ with a washer and dryer in it and that’s the year I bottomed out
That feeling is an ongoing theme in her work, and one you can only convey convincingly if you’ve lived it. She’s effortlessly relatable, something that can be backfire when it’s not handled properly. The easiest way to relate is to be the lowest common denominator, but Kimya achieves it through honesty and plain speech and I can’t help but feel like things are gonna be ok by the time her verse is over. Aesop‘s verses are just as relatable to me, the feeling of wanting to tear yourself apart if it means it will help the people who keep you from tearing yourself apart. He starts off innocuous, referencing a classic grandpa-to-grandkid illusion
I can take my finger off old dog old trick/ new twist like actually take my finger off/ Wrap in a blanket like you would a severed horse head/ send it to a friend you want to pinky swear more with.
Where he could easily be gloomy, talking about what he’s doing to his body, he focuses on his friends. He’ll send his teeth so to give them defense against critics, he’ll send his eyes and ears so they can use his perspective, he’ll send his legs so they don’t have to go to the curb to pick the rest.
I know that some of you might not feel this. Everyone’s got their own cup of tea. Some people might find this song a little saccharine, but not me. This is just my kind of heartwarming. There’s still an underlying sense of melancholy throughout (Aesop will never feel like he’s paid off his interpersonal debts even if it leaves him a head attached to an arm, Kimya can’t go back to the pride that helping daddy at the laundromat gave her), but over all that is hope. We want to help our friends, we want to connect with the people in our community, it’s all a matter of relating.
Plus, the video has Aesop Rock holding the internet’s most adorably messed-up cat, Lil Bub, an image that indicates that we live in one of the best possible universes.
If you haven’t heard Chance the Rapper yet, now is as good as ever to check him out. After releasing a mixtape named 10 Day, I was hooked on the Chicago MC. His strange voice and effortless flow brought along with an inner sense of grooviness all stick out majorly from anything I’ve heard before. He especially brings out the best of his creative ability on his newest project, Acid Rap.
One of the greatest days in recent Hip-Hop history happened on the Tuesday of this week. Three albums battled for sale number supremacy, and they all made a valiant claim to be at the top, with all three making huge strides in their musical careers. The real winners of this monumental period are the hardcore Hip-Hop fanatics, though. After all, we’re the ones who get the incredible material to listen to.
Each one intrigued and surprised me in different ways, but I can say one thing: all three projects deserve multiple spins.
1. Kanye West – Yeezus
I’ve always respected Kanye’s knack to venture into the unknown, but I’m not usually the first one to say I love the music. I usually tend to throw that in with the idea of myself being a Hip-Hop backpacker of sorts, a Conservative for the classic boom bap sounds of the mid-to-late 90’s. This happened to me when both My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and 808’s and Heartbreaks came out, as both were albums that pushed the envelope for what was being offered in the Hip-Hop world.
(In fact, in a recent conversation with friends, it was brought to my attention that Drake’s style is heavily based on the 808’s project. Not entirely based around it, but heavily influenced)
The thing is, after multiple listens to projects like Yeezus, their cohesive ideas and strong cultural messages start to sink in a little bit. Kanye is completely aware of this, however. He loves his music to be avant-garde, something that you truly can’t understand the first time you hear it. The words and rhythms need to sink in and becoming meaningful. Even the small intricacies of all the screaming and strange noises throughout the project have purposes for the mood and soul of the album.
After listening to the project 5 plus times, I finally understand why some people love it, some hate it. But that’s exactly what Kanye wants.
As for me, I prefer the soul-driven beats and goofy but meaningful lyrics from College Dropout, Late Registration, and Graduation. Artists are always evolving though, and the direction is understandable in his shoes. This project does not quite fit into my lane, but maybe with a couple more listens that could change.
2. J. Cole – Born Sinner
“Power Trip” has been on the radio for quite some time, harkening back to his days of Sideline Story. However, the majority of this album is not anything too much like Cole’s Freshman debut. The lyrics and beats sound matured and delivered with a musical intensity that I have not heard from J. Cole since his Friday Night Lights mixtape days. With all of the softer, melodic, ready for radio tracks Sideline Story had, Cole was bound to make an album that would appeal to the masses of Hip-Hop heads. With deep lyrical meaning and intricate flows, Cole shows the versatility of the flow and subject matter previously unknown.
J. Cole himself has mentioned that depression haunted him throughout the making of, and you can tell. A lot of the album has to do with self-reflection, and focusing on the betterment of himself. Many artists in the history of Hip-Hop, and much music in general, have shown that depression truly brings out the strongest feelings and moods. Usually, this is good for songwriting, as the lyrics brought out can relate to many people listening.
Something strange about this album, was Cole’s idea to rework a lot of classic beats. Being the innovative and talented producer he is, one would think he would try to make some original beats without the most obvious of samples (although, one could argue Cole has always been like this, based on songs like “Work Out” with the easily noticeable Kanye sample). Songs such as “Forbidden Fruit” and “Land of the Snakes” both have noticeable samples from Outkast, and A Tribe Called Quest, respectively. “Forbidden Fruit” features Kendrick Lamar, but he is unfortunately only featured on the hook.
(Still waiting on that collaboration album…)
This Sophomore effort is very enjoyable, though, and is the most impressive outing from J. Cole I have heard so far. Lyrical content can really take you far in trying to impress a guy like me.
Born Sinner is the clear winner in the June 18th showdown.
3. Mac Miller – Watching Movies with the Sound Off
Mac Miller has always been hot and cold in this game of ours. Everyone loved his debut to the major public in K.I.D.S., then the same people openly berated him for being too one-dimensional and “boring” once his studio album Blue Slide Park hit shelves (Seriously, check out this scathing Pitchfork review: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16113-blue-side-park/).
Even with all of this critiscism, Mac has stuck to his true style and made it well-rounded. Lyrically, he has never been unimpressive. Watching Movies with the Sound Off has many intelligent and creative rhyme scemes that any Hip-Hop fan in their right mind can respect and enjoy.
One thing I have noticed about Mac Miller is his neglect of moving out of his style of throwing gibberish, and non-sensical mumble jumble together in sentences that fit together simply because they’re creative rhymes. While this can be impressive at times (a la Odd Future), I could see how that could become frutrating to many long-time listeners, including myself.
I’m thoroughly impressed with the musical aspect of this album, as all the beats are expertly made, perfect for the vibe Mac brings to the table. Features from Ab-Soul and Action Bronson make the album stronger, as both provide excellent verses. It’s refreshing to see Mac link up with other rising MC’s in the game, and it shows the true unity of this up-and-coming class of Hip-Hop legends.
I seriously hope to hear more of this from Mac Miller, as Wacthing Moves with the Sound Off is a huge step in the evolution of an artist still trying to find his identity.
2011 was a very huge year for Hip-Hop, chock full of important releases littered through out the year. Watch the Throne and Hell:The Sequel were both heavily awaited collaboration albums, with Kanye and Jay-Z on the former, and Eminem with Royce da 5’9″ on the latter. Drake’s second album Take Care came out as well, immediately making a large impact on the charts (and award shows) with songs like “Headlines” and “Take Care ft. Rihanna”. J. Cole and Big Sean also dropped majorly successful debut albums, cementing their status at the top of the Hip-Hop game. Among all of these fantastic albums – and others along the way – one project stuck out to me more than any other, and still does. Mac and Devin Go To High School is a surprisingly well-made and complete piece of work, featuring an inspired Wiz Khalifa and a revitalized Snoop Dogg.
Ronzo’s Word: The most entertaining aspect of the project is how well Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg fit stylistically. Snoop’s groovy old-school flows fit perfectly over the hard-hitting radio tracks that are usually associated with Wiz. Songs like “Smokin On ft. Juicy J” and “Young Wild and Free ft. Bruno Mars”, both offer a new “Old School-New School Fusion” version of Snoop Dogg that really hasn’t been heard much in the past.
As for the second member of the collaboration, Wiz Khalifa’s laid-back atittude, rhythms, and melodics all offer a flavor that blends in just as perfectly on tracks more accustomed for Snoop Dogg’s classic style. Songs such as “Let’s Get Lifted” and “That Good” are both smoke jams that fit perfectly with Snoop.
One could even argue that both are similar, and that Wiz Khalifa was heavily influenced by Snoop Dogg. Old-School and New-School styles are very noticeable when compared, though, which is what makes the blended sound that much better. This fantastic balance adds a lot to the feeling of an album, making it more complete and perfected.
Also, you really can’t lose when Snoop Dogg is making choruses. That guy really has a gift.
The album has topics about partying, smoking weed, and various High School-themed activities. Songs like “Talent Show”, “Lets Go Study”, and “World Class” all add to the storyline, which is mainly about the adventures of two High School stoners. Devin (Wiz Khalifa) is a graduating senior, and a hope to be the valedictorian of his Los Angeles high school. Along the way, he is joined by Mac (Snoop Dogg), a struggling 15-year senior. They help each other achieve their goals, and become friends along the way.
“Young Wild and Free ft. Bruno Mars”, a catchy tune produced by the Smeezingtons, ended up becoming a major radio hit, but you guys probably remember that. Other songs like “OG ft. Currensy” and “It Could Be Easy” both sound like party hits as well, but did not quite make it as far up the charts.
Many people may look at this album as being “too poppy” or “straying away from the true essence of Hip-Hop music”. Or even say that neither rapper really did anything memorable musically from this album. They would be mistaken though, as this is truly a hidden gem.
Snoop Dogg’s revitalized sound, and Wiz Khalifa’s new-age style really make this one memorable.
Ron has oh so graciously requested backup for dealing with you voracious readers, so I’m lending some expertise. First off, let me share what I’ve been grooving to/thinking a little too much about this week
1. Busdriver – Mr. Mistake (Bested By The Whisper Chasm)
Regan Farquhar is nothing if not versatile. He can be playful, he can be aggressive, but he is at his best when he’s bitter and fed up. See here. Busdriver‘s blistering flow is on display (a staple for the Project Blowed alum), but where he usually delivers it in a nasally sing song going up and down to punctuate punchlines, here he is in a deep baritone. He underscores the tone of the song, dark and self loathing but with plenty to go around. He’s mad at himself, he’s mad at hipsters, he’s just mad at the state of things in general. The beat keeps things laid back and smooth, giving Busdriver enough space to do whatever he wants. And even though his verbal olympiad might distract a first time listener (no one else is dropping lines like “With your flip full tuck and triple lutz into this icy brook”), tell me that you won’t be humming that hook for the next week.
2. JJ DOOM – Wash Your Hands
At any one time, there is a 50/50 chance that I’m thinking about the metal faced villain, DOOM. Last year, with collaboration from Atlanta’s Jneiro Jarel, hey dropped Keys To The Kuffs under the moniker of JJ DOOM. While a new moniker is par for the course for MF DOOM aka Daniel Dumile aka Viktor Vaughn etc, this wasn’t a stunt. The flavor of this album is just as much JJ‘s as it is DOOM‘s and it shows. JJ put forth plenty of spacey beats with drum machine kicks all over the place for the villain to get nasty on and this closing track wraps it all up under a obsessively clean bow. DOOM‘s known for a headfake or two, but he drops the pretense of a club banger in the first line.
“What I’ma tell ya what to do with ya hands for? Much less your dirty ass shoes on the dance floor”
Even though the beat begs for lyrics about bottles, models and a few herbs in the air, DOOM would like to take this time to talk to you about proper hygiene. Heavy subject but he keeps it light with lines like “I’m just sayin, wash ya hands fam/before you put your nasty thumbs in her underpants, damn!” Stay safe and clean, kids.
3. Run The Jewels (Killer Mike and El-P) – 36″ Chain
If you’re not pumped for the grand unification of hip hop styling that is Run The Jewels, I don’t what tell you besides “you’re wrong” and “listen to this”. El Producto‘s beat making is at its blippity bloopity best on this latest single, released on Williams Street’s Singles Project. Brag raps at their best, Killer Mike‘s laid back dirty south flow (so perfected it might as well be a registered trademark) drops punchline after punchline between blunt hits, but leaving enough meat on the bone for El-P to let you know what’s up, what’s really up. Don’t like it? Tough. As El proclaims: “Anyone object to the style gets a smile and backwards hand”. Keep an eye out for the free (FREE, SON) release from Fool’s Gold out soon. Not soon enough, personally.
Check out this awesome video from 1985. Not only is LL Cool J at the very beginning of his career, you can also clearly tell the audience really doesn’t understand the idea of Hip-Hop. LL is actually teaching them about what he and his DJ Cut Creator are doing.
To me, that’s the best part. Plus, in the grand picture, it shows just how much this man has done for the genre.
His debut album Radio was one of the first Hip-Hop records to make it to super stardom – especially when the album went Platinum in 1989. Fully produced by Rick Rubin (a Hip-Hop producer amabassador himself), the beats provide a perfect example of what the early culture of the genre sounded like. Break beats, scratches, and B-boy emceeing all combined into one silky smooth flow. “Rock the Bells” and “Dear Yvette” are some of the songs from this debut that have stood the test of time.
Not to mention, “Rock the Bells” has one of the most mentioned lines of all time:
“LL Cool J is hard as hell!”
Next thing you know, a loud guitar riff hits to bring you right in. Exciting and commanding right from the beginning, exactly how the art of being an MC works.
Golden Age
LL Cool J was the first Hip-Hop artist to be featured on American Bandstand, as well as a huge part of the “Golden Age”. A lot of people credit that time as being the most influential period in all of Hip-Hop history. Artists like Run D.M.C., Big Daddy Kane, De La Soul, and EPMD all have much influence.
(In my opinion, I think the “Golden Age” is rivaled quite closely by the period of 1994-1998. Illmatic, Reasonable Doubt, Ready to Die, and All Eyez on Me (to name a few), dropped in this time period. You can almost say the ’94-’98 phase is the “New School Golden Age”)
LL Cool J: 1987-1990
After Bigger and Deffer made Hip-Hop history in itself, LL came through with two more majorly succesful albums. Walking with a Panther, and Mama Said Knock You Out made way for the genre again, with both getting Platinum status on the way.
LL Cool J really paved the way for Mainstream Hip-Hop to be placed where it is today, as a major influence for radio charts across the whole country.
Sometimes, it can be tough to remember some of the artists that paved the way for this amazing genre. One of the things that has always struck me as incredible, is how all of this major artistic talent was coming out of one place at one time. Kool Herc, The Cold Crush Brothers, Grandmaster Flash, as well as many others should all also be thanked for making the genre the way it is today.
Congratulations to Lebron James and the Miami Heat for making it out of the tough Eastern Conference Finals. Indiana sure gave them a run for the money. However, I don’t think anyone actually thought Miami wouldn’t win this series.
Here’s to an exciting NBA Finals between the Heat and Spurs starting this Thursday!
But anyway, here’s 3 new groovy tunes for your week.
Jay-Z feat. Notorious B.I.G. – Brooklyn’s Finest
Here’s a classic for all you Hip-Hop heads out there. With only two true collaborations between these two artists before Notorious B.I.G. passed away, it’s easy to think about what could’ve been if they kept the projects coming (different line-up for Watch the Throne possibly?). So many things about this track stick out in the annals of the genre. What could be better than two of the greatest MC’s of all time trading bars for a whole track? Especially since it has one of the very few lines by B.I.G. sent the way of Tupac Shakur.
“If Faith had twins she’d probably have two Pacs. Get it? Two – Pacs?”
The line defines a very important time in the sequences leading up to the killing of the legendary MC’s. Honestly, it’s a surprising line due to the quiet approach B.I.G. took to the East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry.
As for Jay-Z, this collaboration was a very huge bonus for building a reputation in Brooklyn, and the rest of the world for that matter. For how strong of a project Reasonable Doubt was, this song really took it to the next level. Any rapper able to stand up lyrically to B.I.G., for that matter, deserves plenty of props.
J. Cole – I Get Up
A classic inspirational cut from J. Cole, as well as my favorite song from the Fayetteville MC. The horn samples are boisterous and melodic, creating a sound that invites you to sing and dance as energetic and carefree as possible. Cole weaves a story of trying to make it through the hardships of life in one piece and coming out of the other end stronger than before. Even if that’s the general norm for most Hip-Hop radio songs, the way the lyrics are delivered and the story is delivered within, it has all the energy and emotion of a classic Hip-Hop track. It’s been in steady rotation with me for quite some time now, and it’s actually hard for me not to listen to it twice in a row once it comes on.
Here’s to hoping Born Sinner has all of this and more.
Rockie Fresh – Life Long ft. Rick Ross, Nipsey Hu$$le
One of the best first-listens to an artist in quite some time for me. I found Rockie Fresh on a late-night browse through the Hip-Hop “blogosphere”. Incredible track; Beat goes hard, has a very impressive Nipsey Hu$$le verse, as well as a whole lot of radio potential. The new artist on Maybach Music Group seems to have a very strong future.
Ronzo's Word 