With all the controversy around the latest VIBE magazine issue with Eminem on the cover, one important thing has gotten lost in the sauce. That’s right, YN’s return to print with the extremely rare freelance byline. Ha! Yup, in a package of the great rap albums of 1998, I reflected on two of the biggest: Jay-Z’s breakthrough Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life and DMX’s rap game-changing It’s Dark and Hell is Hot. I chose the one on the dog to share since it has the crazy personal backstory of me gettin’ to know a gentlemen named Irving Lorenzo. That’s guy’s always been loud. No Monopoly games.

Sidebar: Oh for all you list fanatics, VIBE got another one in the issue to piss you off. They ranked the Top 50 albums of 1998. And surprisingly, the Dog got the bronze medal. I’ll let you guess what two are above him. Or get off your ass and get to a newsstand. A boost counts as a sale. But you didn’t hear it from me.

Well if you were lost on the Special Ed post, you might wanna skip this one too. OK. Up in the Bronx where the people are still fresh, was a group called the Ultramagnetic MC’s—Kool Keith, Ced Gee, TR Love and Moe Love. Long story short, they were kinda a big deal. One of the most influential groups of the 80’s/early 90’s. If you haven’t heard their classic debut, 1988’s Critical Breakdown don’t make eye contact with me when you see me on the street. Ha!

Anyways, the one that started it all was their second 12 inch vinyl which features “Ego Trippin’,” the song that currently serves as the backbone of Amerie’s new banger. After seeing so many kids screwing up the info of who the author of this song (Fearless Four?) was and the title (There’s another song called “Funky”), I felt compelled to share a smidgen of my infinite knowledge. Also included is the “Substitution” break from which they helped craft this gem. Yup everything comes from something.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LliFimOlO0I] 

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Here’s the trailer for Marshall’s Relapse video game dropping this Tuesday, exclusively on iTunes. How’s that for cross promotion? Ha!

Relapse in stores May 19th!

According to MTV, “We Made You” co-producer Doc Ish (no Dre) claims he played Em’s first single for another MC first. Here’s a hint: What Else?

“He [Doc Ish] originally shopped the record — with the same hook, sung by Charmagne Tripp — to Red Café, before D12 member Bizarre picked it up.

But after writing his own version of ‘We Made You,’ Bizarre called Doc Ish with news that Eminem wanted the record. Because Bizarre is such a jokester, though, Doc didn’t believe him. So he hung up on him.

He called me at a bad time, so when he was like, ‘Marshall wants the record,’ I was like, ‘Yeah, right,’  Doc told MTV News. ‘He was like, ‘No, seriously, I’m not playing.’ And Bizarre is a comical dude, so it’s hard to know if he’s playing or not. I didn’t have time that day; I was busy mixing a record for Saigon. So I basically hung up on him. So he called me back with his cousin, Gambino, from Hartford, and he’s who I know Biz through. And [Gambino] was like, ‘Ish, he’s for real, he’s not playing.’ So they put me in touch with [Eminem’s] management. I was still like, ‘OK,’ ’cause Bizarre plays jokes on people. But within five minutes, his management called, and they said they wanted the song. I believed in that song, but I didn’t know it would make it to where it did.” 

Guess one man’s ceiling is still another man’s floor.

Something new from Tony Two Times. Presumambly off the upcoming, Swine Flu mixtape. Hope everyone is vaccinated.

{mp3}tony yayo – candy man this is for them gangstas{/mp3} 

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True story: Not to throw my man under the bus, but I gotta do it: B.Dot didn’t know the original author of Officer Ricky’s composition. Yup, he’s still on probation. Anyways, the delusional Black Jackie Gleason finally said something true: Youngest In Charge is a classic. Props to Ross for referencing the Rodeo joint a.k.a. “Hoedown.”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqgMKedQ1QI]

“Freestyling on the dome/ No Blackberry, I ain’t looking at my phone”

Can’t get enough Drake, eh? Well, here’s additional footage from his gig last night in the T-Dot. Do you see all that estrogen in the crowd? Gheesh! After the jump, check out a pre-soundcheck interview.

We’re Connected: 1loveto

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Here’s the actual clip of Fab clearing up rumors of him dissing Maino on the “Hottest In The Hood (Remix.)”

“I heard they was trying to make the Maino line a dis. It was just metaphorically saying, ‘The watch got cuts in the face.’

Stop reaching, Stanleys.

Salutes: 1515 Boys

According to Hits Daily Double, early reports say it’s gonna be a close race to see if Killa can top his former partner Jim Jones’ last album in first week sales. Pray IV Reign sold 42, 820 units.

CHART FAILURE: If you’re looking for sales relief, don’t expect any this week. The two top debuts appear to be a pair of Asylum rappers in Cam’ron (40-45k) and Paul Wall (15-20k) (5/13p)

Poor Paul Wall.

UPDATE:  Asylum adamantly denies this report and promises XXLmag.com that Cam will hit numero uno.

Hey I did my part. It’s on you, hip-hop nation.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLIMneLHAg0]

Jada kicks it on 57th Ave and touches on everything from KFC grilled chicken to Puffy wanting No Security to be released on Bad Boy. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend it.