Honorable Mentions

The other day I made a little list with some of my favorite Hip-Hop albums. Well, it definitely wasn’t enough. I left a bunch off that list and I wanted to give them the props they deserve. The following are in no particular order, they’re all golden… richards.

A Tribe Called Quest – Midnight Marauders

I could’ve very easily put this in with the original list, but didn’t want multiple albums by one artist. Check out “Award Tour” “Sucka Nigga” “Electric Relaxation” and “Oh My God”

Beastie Boys – Ill Communication

The Beastie Boys are legends. Mazal Tov! “Sure Shot” “Root Down” Sabotage”

Common – Be

Common is totally on my list of top 5 people that I would pick to narrate my life. Future post? But the man can rap. Can you say Chi city?! “They Say” “Go” “Testify” “The Corner”

Dr. Dre – 2001

Another album that easily could’ve made the original list. Dre is the best. producer. ever. “Still D.R.E.” “Forgot About Dre” “What’s the Difference” “The Watcher” “Xxplosive” “The Next Episode”

Fashawn – Boy Meets World

I know nobody reading this has heard of Fashawn. But this guy is an unknown treasure. He’s only like 21 years old and made the best unknown album of the year last year. Listen to it. “Our Way” “Samsonite Man” “Sunny CA”

Gang Starr – Moment of Truth

Another example of my love for alternative/jazz hip-hop. DJ Premier and Guru are some of the best to ever do it. “Above the Clouds” “You Know my Steez” “Work”

Jay-Z – The Blueprint

Modern day classic. Another one hurt by the one per artist rule. “Renegades” “Izzo H.O.V.A.” “Hear of the City” “U Don’t Know” “Hola’ Hovito” “The Ruler’s Back”

Jay-Z – The Black Album

Read the description for the Blueprint. Same thing. “Lucifer” “Dirt Off Your Shoulders” “Encore” “99 Problems” “Public Service Announcement” “Justify My Thug” “Moment of Clarity”

Kanye West – Late Registration

Easily could’ve also made the original list. This is where Kanye really began to get that swagger of his. “Heard ‘Em Say” “Gold Digger” “Drive Slow” “Touch the Sky” “Diamonds from Sierra Leone”

Lupe Fiasco – Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool

This album only gets better and better as time goes on. Lupe is one of the modern day greats and this is why. “Dumb it Down” “Superstar” “Go Go Gadget Flow” “Paris, Tokyo” “Gold Watch” “Hip Hop Save My Life” “Little Weapon”

Public Enemy – It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back

Yeaaaaahhhhhh Boiiiiii!!! This album spits hot fire *Dylan Voice* “Bring the Noise” “Don’t Believe the Hype” “Show ‘Em Watcha Got”

Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx

This is the BEST Wu-Tang solo album. Not to mention the sequel is almost as good as the original. “Can It All Be So Simple” “Knuckleheadz” “Criminology”

The Notorious B.I.G. – Ready to Die

This really should’ve been number 3 on the original list. Who made up these stupid rules? “Gimme the Loot” “Warning” “Ready to Die” “The What” “Juicy” “Big Papa” “Respect” “Unbelievable”

There it is ya’ll, the final tally. Some of the best music I got chillin’ in my iTunes. Lots of different styles up there because I like to keep the body guessing, you know?

Until the future, peace!

Best Hip-Hop Albums of All-Time

I was hanging out yesterday and I kinda started thinking to myself “what was my favorite album?” I had a tough time just thinking about one album in particular. So, I decided to sit down and think it out.

I originally intended for this to a top 10 list, but I couldn’t possibly narrow it down that much. That is way too tough. So I went to 15, and even then I cheated because I’m going to add an honorable mention list because I still haven’t covered all the bases. I know there will be some disagreements because it’s hard to ignore my East-Coast bias while going through this. But trust me, I tried to keep it fair and cover everything. Remember, I’m not doing this solely on commercial/mainstream success or anything like that. I have a huge love for lyricism/musical talent, not just about popping bottles. So I tried to do this on several categories (Impact, production, lyricism, and overall awesomeness)

Remember, this is my list. My personal favorites.

15. Run DMC –Raising Hell

What better way to start any list that with Run DMC? These guys are the reason hip-hop became a credible music genre rather than just a “fad”. This album can’t be ignored. “Walk This Way” “My Addidas” “You Be Illin’” “It’s Tricky” are all on here, and don’t try and ignore the fact that everybody bopped their head to “It’s Tricky”, or at least done some snowboarding back in the day while jamming to it. Their Aerosmith collab was the first real song to hit the mainstream by hitting #4 on the billboard charts and helping guide their way into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

“These girls are really sleazy, all they just say is please me

Or spend some time and rock a rhyme, I said, “It’s not that easy””

14. Outkast – Stankonia

It was so tough to choose which Outkast album to include in this list. So I went ahead and picked my personal favorite and the only one I have a hard copy of. I remember when this album came out back in the day. I was like 10 and it was right after we moved back to the U.S. after being in Puerto Rico. I was still into listening to my Spanish Reggaeton but “Mrs. Jackson” had a huge part of pulling me out of that loop and brought me into listening to hip hop. “So Fresh, So Clean” is my personal favorite nowadays and “B.O.B.” is the most EPIC song ever. Seriously.

“I love who you are I love who ya ain’t you so Anne Frank

Let’s hit the attic to hide out for bout two weeks”

13. Black Star – Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star

This is the first sighting of my love for Conscious hip-hop. Mos Def and Talib Kweli are two of the most lyrically gifted MCs to ever pick up a microphone and when you put them together it’s complete gold. This album is all about modern-day issues, philosophical ideas and uses intelligence rather than rapping about ‘money, hoes and rims again’ *Kanye voice* for the record, Talib Kweli should be a household name. The guy is a living legend. Top cuts: “Respiration” “Definition” “Astronomy (8^th light)’ and “Brown Skin Lady”

“The beast walk the beats, but the beats we be makin’

You on the wrong side of the track, lookin’ visibly shaken”

12. Wu-Tang Clan – Enter The Wu-Tang Clan (36 Chambers)

Throw your ‘W’s up! From the slums of Shoalin the Wu created one of the most influential albums of all time. I don’t know what to say about this album, it’s sooo good. It has a little bit of everything. Rap battles were held to determine who would rap on songs, so you know this is the best lyricism around. Full of humor, martial arts references and hardcore/badass lines, this can’t be touched. Shout out to the RZA, GZA, Meth, Chef, Ghost, Masta Killa, U-God, Inspectah and RIP to the O.D.B.

“I grew up on the crime side, the New York Times side

Staying alive was no jive

Had second hands, moms bounced on old man

So then we moved to Shaolin“

11. 50 Cent – Get Rich or Die Tryin’

C’mon now. How can anybody hate on this album? This is one of my all-time favorite albums ever and I really wanted to put it up higher, but decided against it, solely for the fact that somebody is going to complain about it being here in the first place. But, c’mon now. This changed the entire game for a couple of years. This is rough tough 50; he’ll kill you and not think about twice about it. Nothing goes harder. It’s been almost 10 years and I’m still not even close to being sick of it. Anthems: “Many Men (Wish Death)” “In Da Club” “P.I.M.P” “Heat” “Back Down” I could go on and on…

“Sunny days wouldn’t be special, if it wasn’t for rain

Joy wouldn’t feel so good, if it wasn’t for pain

Death gotta be easy, ’cause life is hard

It’ll leave you physically, mentally, and emotionally scarred”

10. Eminem – Marshall Mathers LP

This album sold 1.79 million copies in the first week earning a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest selling solo album ever, won a Grammy and has gone 9x Platinum. Read that again. 9x Platinum. This is Eminem’s masterpiece. When I listen to this album all I do is shake my head with astonishment and Em’s ability to flow and recite rhymes like nobody ever has. Don’t believe me? Just listen to “The Way I Am” and try to tell me that’s not the HARDEST. SONG. EVER. Oh, and don’t forget about “Stan” or “The Real Slim Shady”.

“I sit back with this pack of Zig Zags and this bag

Of this weed it gives me the shit needed to be

The most meanest MC on this (MC on this…) on this earth

And since birth I’ve been cursed with this curse to just curse

And just blurt this berserk and bizarre shit that works”

9. Clipse – Hell Hath No Fury

Keys open doors. Keys open doors. Keys open doors. Keys keys open doors. If you don’t know about the Clipse then you need to take a step back and slap yourself in the face. The brothers Thornton are the MOST underrated/unknown rappers ever. I don’t care what type of music you listen to, you can’t hate on this album. The Neptunes create some the coolest beats ever produced and with the combination of Malice and Pusha T’s flow and lyrical wordplay, you have the MOST underrated/unknown album ever. GO LISTEN TO IT RIGHT NOW. Yeauuckk!

“With basic rhyme pattern, how the fuck you tryin’ to jacka

Basic ass rappas, got ‘em running for they life

I philosiphies about glocks and keys

Niggas call me young black Socrates”

8. A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory

If you guys know me, you know how much I love A Tribe Called Quest. I very easily could have put 3 of their albums on this list and been perfectly comfortable with it. But, since I’m keeping it to one album per artist, The Low End Theory prevailed. This is alternative hip-hop in a nutshell. Jazz samples that are stripped to the essentials: vocals, drums and bass. I could listen to this all day everyday. I’ve also figured out that is anybody plays ATCQ around me, they automatically earn my respect. Check out “Jazz (We’ve Got)” “Check The Rhyme” and “Bugging Out”.

“Now here’s a funky introduction of how nice I am

Tell your mother, tell your father, send a telegram

I’m like an energizer ’cause, you see, I last long

My crew is never ever wack because we stand strong”

7. 2Pac – All Eyez On Me

What can I say about Pac that hasn’t already been said? This man is easily one of the most influential human beings to ever live. He singled handedly started a civil war within the U.S. Despite all the controversy he was one of the most poetic lyricist to ever be recorded. All Eyez on Me is a double disc giant album full of classics. It was his first album after being bailed out of jail by Suge Knight and started reppin’ the west coast, this was my favorite Pac. Check out “Ambitionz As a Ridah” “Only God Can Judge Me” “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted” and “Can’t C Me”

“And in my mind I’m a blind man doin time

Look to my future cause my past, is all behind me

Is it a crime, to fight, for what is mine?

Everybody’s dyin tell me what’s the use of tryin

I’ve been trapped since birth, cautious, cause I’m cursed”

6. Dr. Dre – The Chronic

This is the west coast. Nothing will ever describe the west coast better than this album. It is the best produced album of all time and it’s hard to imagine what the world would’ve been like without it. Try and imagine that. That means no Snoop, no Pac, no coast to coast rivalry, no Eminem, no 50 Cent… the world would not be that same without it. This album was an A-Bomb to the musical industry with aftereffects than can still be felt nowadays. Just listen to “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang” and try and argue with me.

“Well I’m peepin’, and I’m creepin’, and I’m creep-in’.

But I damn near got caught, ’cause my beeper kept beepin’.

Now it’s time for me to make my impression felt,

So sit back, relax, and strap on your seatbelt”

5. Kanye West – The College Dropout

I still remember the first time I heard “Jesus Walks”. Right after it was done I got up and begged my mom to let me go out and buy this album. She said no at first, but after a couple weeks of constant pestering she finally agreed to let me get it. This album has to be one of the closest things to my heart. Unlike a lot of the albums ahead of it on this list, I grew up with this album. It came out when I was 14 and still a young mind to mold. It’s safe to say now that Mr. West did a great job helping me become who I am and he gained a lifelong fan, no matter what crazy stuff he does. Anthems: “Jesus Walks” “All Falls Down” “Two Words” “Get ‘Em High” “Never Let Me Down” “Spaceship”

“You know what the mid-west is?

Young and Restless

Where restless (niggas) might snatch your necklace

And next these (niggas) might jack your Lexus

Somebody tell these (niggas) who Kanye West is”

4. Nas – Illmatic

Classic. Nothing else needs to be said about this album. “N.Y. State of Mind” “Represent” “Life’s a Bitch” “The World Is Yours”

“It drops deep, as it does in my breath

I never sleep, ’cause sleep is the cousin of death

Beyond the walls of intelligence, life is defined

I think of crime when I’m in a New York state of mind”

3. Jay-Z – Reasonable Doubt

For those of you who only know the Jay-Z of 2010, the one who pretty much runs the world, you need to go back in time and rip out a page of history and check out this album. This is the best Jay-Z album. Period. It is way different than any of his recent albums. This album is all about his lyricism. His ability to flow and rhyme is untouched. This is classic hip-hop and a musical classic. This was before he started to “dumb it down” for the audience and was making his name as an MC. Don’t get me wrong, Jay-Z is one of my favorite artists ever and I thoroughly enjoy all his music after this, but this is the Hov that I love.

“Nine to five is how you survive, I ain’t trying to survive

I’m trying to live it to the limit and love it a lot”

2. The Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death

I could’ve very easily put “Ready to Die” right here too. That’s how good both of Biggie’s albums were. Tomato to-mato, apples vs. oranges. I personally like this one a hair more than his debate, but they are both two of the best albums ever. I just didn’t want to put more than one album by the same artist on my list. But where do I begin with this album? Biggie is the best rapper ever. Nobody will ever match his flow, his rhythmic ability and technique or be able to match his distinct and unique voice. “Hypnotize” “Going Back to Cali” “Sky’s the Limit” “Mo Money Mo Problems” are some of the best hip-hop tracks ever recorded, and they’re all on this one album. Add them with “I Love the Dough” “Somebody’s Gotta Die” “Ten Crack Commandments” and “Kick in the Door” and you have the legendary ‘Life After Death”. RIP BIG.

“I’ma spell my name one more time, check it

It’s the, N-O, T-O, R-I, O

U-S, you just, lay down, slow

Recognize a real Don when you see one

Sippin’ on booze in the House of Blues”

1. Eric B & Rakim – Paid in Full

Surprise surprise! I bet nobody could’ve guessed that I would’ve picked this as the best Hip-Hop album of all time. But check it, this is the album that started everything. And I mean it when I say EVERYTHING. Rakim’s rapping on this album spawned generations of artists who studied and followed him in his rhyming schemes and technique. Eric B was the first to sample on a regular basis and it’s become a benchmark in hip-hop production since. This album is the stepping-stone used by everybody else to ever pick up a mic. Oh, and you better listen to it because it is dope. “Eric B is President” “Paid In Full” “I Aint No Joke” “My Melody”

“I came in the door, I said it before

I never let the mic magnatize me no more

But it’s biting me, fighting me, inviting me to rhyme

I can’t hold it back, I’m looking for the line,

Taking off my coat, clearing my throat

My rhyme will be kicking it until I hit my last note”

New School

Sooo, I just realized that it’s March and I haven’t blogged since October… So to any of my diehard fans out there, accept a bag of fresh oranges that I picked up at the grocery store as a gift. You must drive to my house to get it, but trust me, they’re delish! :)

They're grrrrreeeeeaaaaaattt!

Anyways, I’ll go on. Hopefully you enjoyed witnessing me use the word ‘delish’ for the first time in my life. It just popped in the ‘ole noggin there and I went with it. Since it’s been a while since I’ve done this, let us test out the waters so I can knock out the cobwebs.

March Madness is right around the corner and I couldn’t be more excited. I freaking love this time of the year. I’m convinced that the entire country is at its happiest point of the year when the Tourney comes on. Even people who don’t care about College Basketball get into it through their work brackets. I’ll never forget when some 7 year old kid won my father’s company’s bracket a couple of years ago, beating out me and a couple other diehard sports fans, because he was the only person to have George Mason get to the Final 4. His reason for picking them? Because they were green. His favorite color. The FREAKING kid won over $500 bucks because of that. This is going to be an interesting year this year. Especially for my viewing preferences. Normally I have one under the radar player I’m in love with and follow throughout the Tourney (Steph Curry last year) but I don’t this year. I wouldn’t really classify John Wall as “under the radar”. Plus Mizzou is not going to get nearly as far this year as they did last year, so hopefully there’s gonna be some lucky man out there that will win my heart over. Stay tuned for my predictions.

John Wall Dance. The clubs are goin' wild.

I got my wisdom teeth ripped out last week, along with my chance to grow an epic Gandalf-like beard. I guess I’ll never get to be that wise. But it sucks because obviously I can’t really eat much. I love eating. Especially burritos. OMG I am dying for a visit to my local Chipotle! But I just couldn’t fit all that meat in my mouth! If you guys know me, you know how much stuff I pack in those things, and I just couldn’t possibly fit it in my mouth. Lately I’ve just had to ease it in there, and when I’m done just let it slide down my throat…It’s a shame…

But really, the worst thing about this is not being able to yawn. That is definitely something I didn’t think of beforehand. But since my jaws are swollen I cant open my mouth all the way, it’s impossible for me to fully yawn. Then I get stuck with that same yawn, you know it doesn’t go away that easily. So I’ve literally been trying to get rid of the same yawn since last Tuesday. And I don’t know if you guys know this about me, but I LOVE yawning. I mean, it’s 1/8 of an orgasm, c’mon. I get eight of those bad boys in a row I’m gonna need a new pair of shorts, so how could I not love them?

That’s about it for now guys, it’s getting past my bedtime. Remember, this was just a quickie :) We’ll get more into it later.

One love.

HALLOWEEN!!

That’s right, October 31st is around the corner. You know what that means… an excuse for chicks to dress stanky!!

Easily the best reason why this day is so fantastic. Add that with all the free candy and that’s a deadly combo. Unfortunately, as you grow older the opportunity for the free candy dwindles. Believe me, I’ve tried. There’s no good response for, “Umm… aren’t you a little too old for this?”

Then there is the reason I love it now, and why I will love it for years to come. I can dress up like whatever I want. ANYTHING. And I go all out when I dress up. I’m not gonna half-ass it and walk up to people and have them ask what I am. That’s the biggest insult on Halloween. If you have to explain your costume to people, you’re an idiot. By all out, I mean all out. 8th grade I dressed up as a Blue-Man Group member. I covered my entire face and arms in blue paint, Tobias Fünke style.

This year has been a struggle. I have so many options and creative ideas, but little cash. I cant go all out without cashing out some bills. So my creativity is fighting my wallet right now.

Option 1: Coach Hines

He will set you on fire like a charcoal burkite.

This one is my number once choice. But it would require the most input. Remember, I go all out so I would do everything I can to look exactly like Coach Hines. So that means going out and buying blue spandex shorts (which I’m totally cool doing, actually I would have a lot of fun doing) shaving my head, and shaving my legs… That’s right you heard it right. HIS LEGS ARE HAIRLESS! So if mine weren’t, I wouldn’t be going all out would I? Just watch and see for yourself.

So yeah, a lot of work for that guy. I would easily have the most fun with it, but I think I may save it for next year.

Option 2: Tony Montana

You wanna play rough?!

This would be freaking sweet. I could pull this one off very well because I’m Hispanic, can do a horrible Cuban accent, and I would have to do no major alterations to my body to pull it off. The only obstacle is getting the outfit. I can order an actual costume for about 40 bucks and be completely set, or I can try and pull it off with clothes I got at home. But I’ve spent way too much money lately, and I don’t want to spend anymore. Decisions, decisions…

Option 3: Karate Master

Take that Saddam.

This is the least creative. But I own everything that I would need already. And I recently found a pretty sweet red Chinese robe in the back of my closet that would we fun to wear. The only thing is that I’m not that excited about this one. It would be the easiest, and easiest on my wallet, but the most important thing about a costume is enjoying it. Would I enjoy this one enough?

Just a couple of options of the top of my head. I still have 10 days to make a decision, so who knows what will happen. Knowing me, I’ll see some really freaking awesome outfit on the 30th and drop like 50 bucks so anything is possible.

Nike Air Yeezy

The Dream

This is my dream shoe.

I’ll admit, I am a little girlie when it comes to clothing. By that I mean I own tons of different pairs of shoes in all different styles and color, I have a bunch of different t-shirts and belts in different colors to mix and match. I know, go ahead, make fun of me I don’t care.

But there is one thing I am dying to add to my collection, a pair of Nike Air Yeezys. They are the first shoes designed by Kanye West and I’m in love with them. In case you don’t know, Kanye is one of several man-crushes I currently have, and he is arguably at the top of the list. So naturally, I would want just about anything he touches. But this one is easily at the top of the list.

I love to collect shoes. And if I had the money, I would own hundreds of shoes, just for the heck of it. Since I don’t have money pouring out of my wallet, I have to keep it to a select few. The only thing is that I have yet to see a pair of these in person. They are EXTREMELY hard to come across,, and since I don’t live in New York City or Los Angeles any giant city like that, it’s tough to come across one. But my dreams are real. One day I shall put on a pair of size 10 Yeezys and never take them off. Ever.

Ok, well maybe not ever, but they will definitely become my favorite pair. I apologize in advance to all my Puma, Reebok, Converse and other Nike pairs.

So if you want to become my best friend for life, you can get me a pair for Christmas this year. Or if you just want to become a little less that BFFF, then you can direct me to a place where I can get a REAL pair of them. Believe me, I’ve scoped the internet as much as I can and I think I’ve found just about every single pair of fake Yeezys out there. It’s very depressing.

I mean seriously, how BAMF are these?

The Cubs…

Need I say more?

I am a die hard Chicago Cubs fan.

Now, being born in California and living in Puerto Rico and Texas my whole life, i don’t have a geological reason to love them as much as I do, but I have a real reason. During the 5 years I lived in Puerto Rico, the only baseball games I could watch were the games on WGN almost everyday. That was when I first started falling in love with the sport of baseball and being exposed to the Cubs right away was a killer combination to explain for my love. Factor in the fact that it was right in the middle of Sammy Sosa and the 1998 home run chase too.

So fast forward a couple of years and here we are. Near the end of yet another baseball season, and I have that similar feeling again. Disappointment, with a touch of frustration, anger, and predictability. Now, don’t get me wrong, this is not nearly as bad as the end of last season. Or 2003. But in the back of my mind I always had a feeling this was going to happen.

Last year was such a fluke! 2008’s season was full of so much excitement and everything. They were at the top of the division, and going into the playoffs we were easily the best team on paper. But like those experts always say, “the game is not played on paper”, or video games either. If this was MVP Baseball we’d be champs every season. So the playoffs roll up, and we get absolutely destroyed by the Dodgers. Anyways..

So 2009 is coming up, and the signs of the drop off start popping off, but as the air-head Cubs fan I am, I ignore them. The first, and in my opinion, the biggest was the trade of Mark DeRosa. He was our team’s superman. A fan favorite, the ultimate utility player, and he produced every day. I was pissed the second I heard about this deal, especially since we got no immediate help for him, and most of all because HE ENDED UP WITH THE CARDINALS.

Then the whole Milton Bradley thing… Which I was really happy about! Man, I look like an idiot now don’t I? I thought that was going to be the perfect fit. Corner outfielder with left-handed power, exactly what were missing. Especially coming off his best year with the Rangers where he showed no signs of his ego. Well, a .257 BA 12 HR and 40 RBI in 124 games can change a lot. Then he went on to say he “looks forward to the end of games so he can leave Wrigley”. Wrong words my friend. You don’t say that about the friendly confines. Get the hell out, and don’t let the door hit you on your way out you wannabe T.O.

Then the injuries piled up. The pitching fell apart. Not that I’m making excuses. But we were not prepared for these like most teams are. Our team depth was terrible. Anytime Aaron Miles is the starting 2nd baseman for a period of time, you know something is wrong.

Carlos Zambrano: Terrible, Alfonso Soriano: Worse, Geovany Soto: Don’t even get me started. This team was just flat out worse this year. They were pathetic, especially for the amount of money some of these guys are getting paid. Ryan Dempster had a fluke season last year, and showed what hes worth this season. He is not the top of the rotation starter like people where dubbing him this offseason. So as much as I hate to say this, I want to blow this team up. They are not gonna win a championship like this. I love Big Z, but he has one more season to prove he deserves the money and status he gets, because he has not earned them the last couple of seasons.

People like Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez need to be the cornerstones. I know it’s a lot easier to say this than actually make happen, but something drastic needs to happen. As a fan I need to see them do something to prove they still care, because the team that’s there right now doesn’t seem to end the championship drought. And every time I see them put out a team that doesn’t care, it makes me re-think why I should care. I will never lose faith in my Cubs, I will only lose faith in the people who run the team. But like I’ve said my whole life, there’s always next year…

Man on the Moon: End of Day

Man on the Moon: End of Day is the debut album from Cleveland rapper, and current man crush of mine, Kid Cudi. To prove to you how much I love this album, I actually went down to Best Buy and bought a hard-copy of the album. I know.

I’ve been in love with Cudi for a little less than a year now. He got me hooked the first time I heard his mixtape “A Kid Named Cudi” and the epic song “Day ‘n’ Night”. A couple of months ago I got to see him in concert at the House of Blues here in Dallas, and that’s when the man crush went into full force. I dont know if it was just me, but it seemed like everybody there was dying to see Cudi, and as soon as he got on stage the electricity was through the roof. Even Benjamin Franklin would have been impressed. Want proof? I’ll hook you guys up with a video I shot and posted on YouTube of him singing “Mr. Solo Dolo”:

Now one of my personal, and the market’s most anticipated album finally drops and it does not disappoint. The album is broken up in 5 parts, that takes the listener through a tour of Kid Cudi’s mind and dreams. It has its happier moments and its darker moments while being narrated by Common.

Act 1 starts with “In My Dreams (Cudder Anthem)”. It starts a little slow, but it sets you up for the rest of the album. While listening to this song, you can really tell that this is the man who helped Kanye on “808s and Hearbreak”. Next up is “Soundtrack 2 My Life”, one of the best songs on the album in my opinion. Its got some of the best lines on the disc. Starting with “I got 99 problems and they all bitches, wish I was Jigga Man”. This is definitely one of the more personal songs Cudi has ever made as he talks about his childhood, the passing of his father, and all the time he spends alone in his room. “Simple As…” is song number 3 and has a very different but catchy beat produced by Plain Pat (What Up?).

Act 2 is the rise of the night terrors. “Mr. Solo Dolo” is a very dark song. But I love it, most likely because of how cool the live performance of it I saw was. Little biased I know, but who cares. “Heart of a Lion (Kid Cudi Theme Music)” is the next song, and I’m convinced that if this song was around when the first Rocky was filmed, it would have to be in there.

Act 3 is where your taking a trip. It starts with one of the top songs of 2009 with “Day ‘N’ Nite”, do I need to say more? “Sky Might Fall” is an epic song produced by the genius known as Kanye West. Definitely one of the best songs on the album, hands down.

Act 4 is where you get stuck. It stars with another nightmare, “Alive”. This songs features and is produced by Ratatat, so if you have ever heard any of their stuff, you know it’s an advanced electronic beat. Then there is the album’s second official single, “Make Her Say”. Another personal favorite of mine, this features Kanye West and Common and the beat is sampled from Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face”. Kanye just steals the song with his verse. “Born in ’88, how old is that? Old enough. I got seniority with the sorority so that explains why I love college. Getting brain in the library cuz i love knowledge, when you use your medulla oblongata and gimme scoliosis until I comatosis and to it while I sleep, yeah a little osmosis and that’s my commandment you ain’t gotta ask Moses”. ‘Nuff said. “Pursuit of Happiness” is the 3rd single and feature MGMT and Ratatat. It’s another amazing track, that unfortunately probably wont get an extreme amount of radio-play, but is gonna be around for a long time.

The album closes up with act 5, a new beginning. “Hyyer” featuring Chip Tha Ripper and “Up Up and Away” the last two times we get to hear Cudi on the disc. It ends on a happy note, as “Up Up and Away” is also known as the wake and bake song, so how do you feel uplifted after that?

To reiterate: this album is absolutely fantastic. Go out and buy it. I’ve been listening to it non-stop since I got it, and it’s been at least 15 times through now and I still cant put it away. This is how hip hop music is meant to be made. It’s not full with songs about guns and violence, and it doesn’t use Auto-Tune to sneak its way onto the radio. This is real music and that is what Cudi wanted. He wanted to make an album that his fans would love, and he succeeded.

*UPDATE* Ok, I’m updating this about a month later to tell the world that this is one of my ALL-TIME FAVORITE ALBUMS. I listed to at least half of it on a daily basis, and I think I’ve listened to the entire thing about 30 times in between my iTunes and my iPod. It’s true, I love it. Imma let you get back to reading, but Kid Cudi had one of the best albums of all-time! (My Kanye impersonation)

Busy! Busy! Busy!

:( I know I haven’t been doing a good job posting lately, I’ve been mad busy. Impromptu visit to California and work everyday since I’ve been back has been keeping me from you blog. I promise I’m not cheating on you with Blogspot anymore. She is my old whore. Thats why I dumped her, cuz you are way better baby. I promise there is nobody else. I’l be back tomorrow to spend some quality time together. We have lots to talk about! Kisses!

(ignore the possessive girlfriend vibe)

Popping the Cherry

Hello new world! I’ll keep this short and sweet.

As an introduciton, ill give you guys a little info on me. I am currently 19 years old, and I’m enrolled at the University of Missouri. I’m a broadcast journalism major looking for a career doing something involving sports.

But this blog is gonna be full of my randomness.

I’m a big believer in the new social media boom happening right now, especially between people in my age group. Technology is taking over the world, and I’m a part of it. Whenever I find anything interesting or news worthy (in my opinion) I’ll share it with you guys with my own spin on it. I shall also be doing a little ranting here, it’ll pretty much only about the Cubs because I’m a loyal follower, but man do they piss me off sometimes…

So anyways, this is already getting too long for me (that’s what she said) so I’m gonna move on to something that’ll be more entertaining and not about my boring self.

Ok, bye.

Cheesy Two Thumbs Up Approval!