Rap Radar

In the spirit of 4/20, Wale uploaded a new song via his Twitter account. Kini Big Deal? Ya speaking our language—or someone else’s.

Great, just what the game needs: another teaser. Ughh. Hold your breath for the next 18 seconds and take a peek at T.I.’s next video, “I’m Back”. Full thing drops next week.

Save your dimes and nicks, Freddie’s keeping the sack all to himself. Commemorating 4/20, here’s a new track off Str8 Killa No Filla. Produced by the Block Beattaz. We’ll smoke to that.

“And if you thought we lost our niche in this rap shit, you’re way wrong.”

I haven’t listened to this album in a long time. Gang Starr’s Moment Of Truth. I think it’s because it’s too personal to me. Reminds me of too much. Takes me back. Way back. To D&D Studios with Guru. Where after cracking a bad joke about him nappin’ on the studio couch, we chopped it up. It was for an ego trip cover story while at the same time I was the Music Editor of The Source. Yup, in charge of how many mics the duo’s first album in four years was gonna get. No pressure.

As a fan and a rookie in the rap journalism game, I was pissed at The Source who gave Daily Operation 3-and-a-half mics in 1992. Did they really listen to it or just skim through it? And them niggas had some audacity—giving Spice 1 a 4 on the same page. My East Coast blood was boiling! Like its predecessor, 1991′s Step In The Arena, it was an undisputed classic in my book. I snickered when I heard Chris Wilder who wrote the initial review was ejected from their album release party. That Jon and the crew did a do over by assigning Ronin Ro a cover story around 1994′s Hard to Earn. That cover image in the NYC subway was classic to me.

But now the shoe was on my foot. Fresh in the post Biggie-Pac era, I wasn’t sure, where exactly does Gang Starr fit in again? It didn’t help that even back then there were rumors of tension in the group. And Guru had a real-life assault change hanging over his head that he would later thankfully be acquitted of. I hoped the record would be good. I wanted it to be great. I wanted to keep my convo with Guru goin’ so I didn’t have to go into the B room to hear Preemo play it for me. I wasn’t ready.

So Keith told me about his frustration with past record sales. He was tired of being disappointed. In his mind, they had never capitalized off their accidental smash, “Dwyck”. He just wanted his group to go gold. He talked about he and Preem’s outside projects and why it was so important for them to get back together. He told his favorite story about his early beginnings, leaving Boston with no money and heading to the Big Apple on the day after Christmas. Of course, the car broke down.

Still time waits for no man and it was time to face the music. Thankfully, it was so fuckin’ good. Preem played raw mix after raw mix of the core of the album: “You Know My Steez,” “My Advice 2 You”, “JFK 2 LAX”, “Make Em Pay”. He admitted that the next joint was a lil different for his group and then he blasted the K-Ci & Jo Jo-featured “Royalty”. I was so happy inside. Then a funny thing happened, in walks Jay-Z, who politely interrupts the session to let Premier know he finished layin’ a vocal down in another room. Does it get any better than that?

Back at Dave Mays’ place, I fought for a five. They wanted a four. It got a four-and-a-half. Truth be told, I felt no connection to 2003′s Ownerz. I always like to look back at artists catalogues and try to decide what was their last great single or album. How does the movie end? What song is playing? Fittingly, with the sadness of Guru’s passing, the right joint has been elected. “Above The Clouds”. The fifth song on Gang Starr’s fifth album. Should’ve got five mics.

Respect The Empire Ladies: Vikki Tobak. Shani Saxon-Parrish. Sarah K. Honda.

Pharrell and ‘em announced that their forthcoming, Nothing is scheduled for a June 15th release. Even Bill is happy about that.

NR via BCC

Alicia shot scenes for her new video “Un-Thinkable” yesterday and switched her style more than once. Interesting to say the least. Even manger Jeff Robinson agrees.

Noreaga and Imam T.H.U.G. become the first to send their condolences on wax to Guru. Even in death he still has mass appeal.

Again: 57th

Ross told MTV last week that director F. Gary Gray was shooting his first video “Super High” off  Teflon Don. Well, this past weekend the pair met up to discuss the treatment. This isn’t the first time Gray’s directed a music video. Prior to making it big in Hollywood, he shot Ice Cube’s “It Was A Good Day” and TLC’s “Waterfalls”. His most recent clip was Jay-Z’s “Show Me What You Got” in 2006.

57th Ave

While y’all argue who is the greatest rapper alive, Da Snowman proves that he’s the greatest trapper breathing with the first leak off Trap Or Die 2. Now all we need is the final product.

UHTN x DJ Folk

Common’s on a roll. This past Saturday, The Pepsi Refresh Project came to the New York Public Library. And as a special treat, Com blessed the crowd with a freebie. At this rate, he might have to start charging.

Previously: Common Jordan Classic Freestyle | Common “Hip-Hop NASA” Freestyle | Common Syracuse University Freestyle