Quick Hits - 7/14/08

Now, I know it seems a bit redundant to have the same exact title and theme for two consecutive posts, but consistency clearly isn't something I'm great at, so consider this a small, first step.

Random things I've been thinking lately:

- I've seen a lot of division in the online hip-hop community over Nas' new album and whether it's a masterpiece.

People, let's face it: when was the last time you heard a legitimately good, intelligent, mainstream rap album? It's not an issue of people having a different opinion of this album, it's an issue of people nitpicking and taking a different stance for the sake of being different.

Support this album to support hip-hop -- the community needs something like this to start the discussion about race that the nation at-large NEEDS to have.

Getting off my soapbox now.

(Album in stores tomorrow!)

- We're that much closer to The Dark Knight this weekend. Gives me goosebumps.

- NCAA Football 09 comes out tomorrow, and it certainly looks to be just the thing I need to tide me over until Madden NFL 09.

...oh wait, that's what Metal Gear Solid 4 was for. And Rainbow Six: Vegas 2. And Need For Speed: Carbon. Need I go on?

- I honestly can't picture Brett Favre in a different NFL uniform, let alone playing this upcoming season, period. Although Favre will forever remain one of my favorite players of all time (barring a Lawrence Phillips/Pacman Jones/Michael Vick-like crime wave), I still wish he would just stay in retirement.

How often can a professional athlete say they've had a legendary career and were able to go out on top?

(No, Tiki Barber doesn't count -- he didn't care enough about football, and his career was far from legendary...)

- I'm starting to love what I'm seeing on WWE lately. The storylines have become more complex than the spoon-fed crap of the past few years, and I'm loving the fact that younger talent like Cryme Tyme, Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase Jr., and CM Punk are getting a push into the second tier (and main event, in Punk's case).

Though I admittedly haven't been following SmackDown/ECW as much as RAW, I like the idea of Triple H facing off against Edge, and both Matt & Jeff Hardy are receiving the pushes that they deserve.

All is good in professional wrestling. Except TNA.

ALBUM REVIEW - Kidz in the Hall - The In Crowd (2008)

Along with the recent release of Keith Sweat's new album as well as The Roots' latest offering, both R&B and hip-hop seem to be headed in the right direction. Up-and-coming duo Naledge (the MC) and Double-O (the DJ), better known as Kidz in the Hall, only further that trend with their sophomore offering (and Duck Down Records debut), THE IN CROWD.

Building off the strength of their solid 2006 debut on Rawkus Records, KITH continues their trend of solid lyricism over equally-solid production, channeling the ghosts of backpack-rap's past and making it work. The lead single, "Drivin' Down The Block (Low End Theory)," effectively uses its chopped-and-(barely) screwed Masta Ace sample to accentuate the H-Town-flavored beat. Of course, the chorus references the classic A Tribe Called Quest album, THE LOW END THEORY, which many critics consider to be one of the definitive hip-hop albums of all time. The lyrics remain witty throughout this song and the rest of the album, with a touch of sophistication and just-plain COOL. At its essence, the album (as well as the bulk of KITH's music) serves as a tribute to the golden age of hip-hop, and does it extremely well.

On their own, each track sounds disjointed and out-of-place. However, in the whole scheme of things, the album flows EXTREMELY well from beginning to end. There isn't a single lame duck that comes to mind when recalling each track, and the guest verses rarely outshine Naledge's rhymes.

However, given the independent nature of Duck Down (and even Rawkus) Records, it can't be ignored that this is not commercial-friendly music. This is hip-hop boiled down to its core, offering old-school flavor with a new-school twist.

This album will likely provide nostalgia for fans of backpack rap, while giving the newer generation a glimpse of a chunk of an era that many consider to be hip-hop's finest.

Recommended tracks:
"Drivin' Down The Block (Low End Theory)"
"Drivin' Down The Block REMIX (ft. Pusha T, Bun B, & The Cool Kids)
"Paper Trail (ft. Phonte of Little Brother)"
"Inner Me"
"Love Hangover (ft. Estelle)"
"The Pledge (ft. Sean Price & Buckshot)"

ALBUM REVIEW - Flo Rida - Mail on Sunday (2008)

Say what you will about this choice for my first album review -- you can't deny that Flo Rida is riding (no pun intended) a huge wave of success right now. His first single, "Low," was a HUGE Billboard hit, thanks in part to a catchy hook by T-Pain (who I absolutely HATE, by the way). His second single, "Elevator," was what really caught my attention, however. This collaboration with super-producer Timbaland is indicative of how a relative unknown like Tramar Dillard got his stage name to begin with. Flo Rida's layered vocals and rapidfire delivery perfectly complement the beat and he neither dominates nor is dominated by the music.

In fact, the majority of the album is such, where beat-riding and delivery carries each song rather than lyrical prowess. Admittedly, Flo Rida isn't exactly the best lyricist out; in fact, he's not even at the point of being average. But, it can't be denied that his album is just plain ENTERTAINING.

I'm tired of getting on the soapbox and preaching about how hip-hop is dead and whatnot. To me, that catchphrase has BEEN played-out for over a year now, and it's every "smart" hip-hop head's excuse for why the music industry at-large has been slacking lately. Blaming it on Southern rappers is simply generalizing (and irresponsible, at that), and blaming it on an artist like Flo Rida that has immense pop appeal is like putting a bulls-eye on the easiest kill there is.

Frankly, unlike the post office, Flo Rida's MAIL ON SUNDAY just-plain delivers. OK, I'll stop with the puns now, even though that last one WAS intended.

Recommended tracks:
"Elevator" (ft. Timbaland)
"Me & U"
"Freaky Deaky" (ft. Trey Songz)
"Ms. Hangover"
"Make a Wish" [Bonus Track]
"Gotta Eat" [Bonus Track]