AKT Aktion's Hip Hop World

AllHipHop ChartWatch for December 09, 2009

 This week R. Kelly enters the charts at the fourth spot selling 115,000 copies of his latest album Untitled. Not even the pied piper could dethrone the unlikely pop superstar, Susan Boyle, who continues her dominance on the charts with her debut, I Dreamed a Dream.  The reality show star sold another 509,000 copies proving that someone out there is buying albums.  As a matter of fact with artist like Norah Jones, Michael Buble, Andrea Bocelli, and Susan Boyle running the chart it appears the over 50 crowd is out there buying albums.

In terms of Hip Hop, the Black Eyed Peas move up one spot, from 23 to 22, with their latest album The E.N.D.  The trio sells another 50,000 copies this week.  Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 slips a little, falling from 32 to 39. The Marcy MC moves another 28,000 copies this week.

Moving from Marcy to Queens, rapper 50 Cent moves 26,000 copies of his latest, Before I Self Destruct, but takes a serious drop, plummeting from the 21^st position to 42.  Now before the commentors jump up saying I’m being unfair to 50 Cent, that’s a 21 slot drop.  It’s not a complete fall out of the top 50 like Baby’s Pricele$$, but it’s a drop nonetheless. 

Meanwhile, Juvenile enters the charts with his latest CD, Cocky and Confident, selling 22,000 copies and claiming the 4^th spot.

 It’s another rough week for Hip Hop, but “Dropping” has some big name artists this week.  

Dropping This Week

We have some good albums coming out this week from some heavy hitters.  A couple of weeks ago Juvenile and Baby were featured in “Dropping” and this week fellow New Orleans native B.G. releases his eleventh solo studio album, Too Hood 2 Be Hollywood.  The album features the late, great Soulja Slim, Lil Boosie, C-Murder, Gar, Mannie Fresh, Lil Wayne, Juvenile, Trey Songz, T.I., and Young Jeezy.  Production for the album is handled by KLC, Mannie Fresh, Savage, Scott Storch, J.U.S.T.I.C.E League, Cool & Dre, Savage, and Bass Heavy to name a few.  The album, executive produced by T.I., has been pushed back numerous times but now fans should be pleased that it’s being released before the year end.  Hopefully B.G.’s recent trouble with the law won’t keep him away from making music for too long.

Next up is Malice and Push T who together form Clipse.  The Virginia duo drops their third album, Til the Casket Drops, the follow up to the dark Hell Hath No Fury.  The new album is executive produced by the Neptunes who handle the bulk of the album.  The rest is produced by Dj Khalil & Chin and Sean C & LV.  Cam’ron, Yo Gotti, Kanye West, Keri Hilson, Pharrell, Ab-Liva, and Nicole Hurst all guest star on this latest venture which is being released on Columbia Records.  The Clipse have released two critically acclaimed albums and a string of popular mixtapes over their career.  It is looking like this album will be no different as it is already gaining high reviews from a number of magazines and websites.  Be on the lookout for Til the Casket Drops.

On November 12, 2009, Gucci Mane was sentenced to 12 months in prison for probation violation and taken away to prison.  In an “art imitates life imitates art imitates life….” Twist the Atlanta rapper releases The State v. Radric Davis.  The album features Mike Epps, Cam’ron, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Soulja Boy, Wacka Flocka Flame (really?), Usher, Keyshia Cole, Bobby Valentino, Nikki Minaj, Trina, OJ Da Juiceman, Plies, Bun-B, E-40, Devin the Dude, Jadakiss, and Birdman.  You might not like him or think he can rap, but Gucci Mane is coming out with a star loaded album.  Even with the recent sentence things are looking up Gucci, who just squashed his longstanding beef with Young Jeezy.  I don’t think I have to tell fans of Gucci to go pick this one up.

How long has Snoop Dogg been rapping?  The Long Beach, CA rapper began his career in 1993 with Doggystyle and now nine albums later releases Malice N Wonderland.  The new album features Jazmine Sullivan, Soulja Boy, Lil Jon, Nipsey Hussle, Problem, Kokane, R. Kelly, The-Dream, Brandy and Pharrell.  Once again Snoop continues his 17 year reign on the Westcoast and keeps his fans satisfied with another album.

 Last but not least is Timbaland who returns with his third, “solo”, studio album Shock Value II.  The album features everyone from Miley Cyrus to Drake.  Timbaland has a pretty good track record when it comes to making hit songs, whether they are hip hop or pop.  Fans should be on the lookout for this one.

That’s it for “Dropping” and ChartWatch this week.  Some big names are coming out with albums for the fourth quarter.  We’ll see next week if the make an impact on the charts.

AllHipHop ChartWatch for November 25, 2009

The moment of truth is here for 50 Cent. He got a favorable review in AllHipHop's review section, but all eyes are on the SoundScan right now.

The Top 10 doesn’t have a lot of Hip-Hop on it but we do have a new entry.  Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson enters the charts at in the fouth slot with his latest album Before I Self Destruct.  The queens MC managed to sell 156,000 copies of his fourth disc which, to date, is the lowest sales the rapper has produced.  The reviews for the album have been mixed but I will say that the movie that comes with it is not bad.  In fact it’s pretty good.  50 has already come forward and said that the album leaked from an international plant which is not hard to believe.  The album was everywhere…but is that the reason for the low sales?  What do ya’ll think?  Nevertheless, this is a hater's wet dream! The next question is how does an MC that has always spent a lot of time focusing on numbers (especially the numbers of rappers he doesn’t like) deal with the fact that his latest album hasn’t put up good numbers.  I hope its go back to the studio (hungry) and put out another album.  We’ll see.

Next up are the Black Eyed Peas who sell 32,000 copies of The E.N.D and grab the 27^th  They are followed by Jay-Z and his eleventh studio album The Blueprint 3.  The disc takes the 32^nd spot selling 29,000 copies. spot.

That’s it for the week so onto the new albums.

Dropping This Week

First up this week is Birdman.  Now you know that he’s not the best rapper.  You know it.  I know it.  Hell, he knows it.  He does, however, know how to put together an album with a lot of good rappers.  His new album Pricele$$ features Drake, Lil Wayne, Gudda Gudda, T-Pain, Bun-B, Mack Maine, Gucci Mayne, Flo Rida, Rick Ross, Lil Kim, and Nikki Minaj.  Some of those guests are on the bonus edition of the cd so look out for that one.  Hey, he got Nikki and Kim on a song together…I wonder what that song will be about?  This is pretty much a compilation album so if you like Young Money you’ll probably want to check this one out.

The next "artist" has (somehow) become a controversial figure in Hip Hop.  Every time he says something it’s sure to get a lot of commentary in chat rooms, message boards, barber shops, beauty salons, and dorm rooms across the country.   That’s right.  The one and only dangerous MC.  Bill Cosby.  Ok, he’s not an MC…but he is coming out with an album.  Bill Cosby Presents the Cosnarati: State of Emergency is the comedian/activist’s latest venture to reach the Hip Hop community.  It features three rappers, Jace the Great, Brother Hahz and Supa Nova Slom, with production by Ced-Gee of the Ultramagnetic MC’s and William Patterson.  You might not know Patterson but you know his music.  The producer had done work on everything from the Cosby show to albums by Alicia Keys and LL Cool J.  I respect what Cosby is trying to do but I do know one thing – The music better be good.  Positive…negative…in between…no one listens unless it’s good.  People listen to Talib Kweli and 50 Cent for one reason – they like the music.  If the music is not good the point will never get across.  We’ll see if Bill gets his point out. 

The Boot Camp Clik is releasing is releasing Triple Threat which is essentially a collection of the three discs: Sean Price’s Monkey Barz, 9^th Wonder & Buckshot’s Chemistry, and Smif N Wessun’s Reloaded.  All three of the albums have received some decent reviews and have been out for awhile.  If you haven’t had a chance to listen to any of them then now’s your chance because all three are being sold for the price of one. 

Pittsburgh MC Wiz Khalifa has left Warner Bros. and is now releasing his second album Deal or No Deal.  The album only has a few features so for the most part it’s an “all Khalifa” affair.  Fans of his first album Show and Prove should be looking out for this one.

Who owns Death Row Records now?  Seems like every week they are changing owners.  Either way the label is putting out a four disc box set that features artists from the label’s beginning, like Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, to its most recent, including Crooked I and Petey Pablo. (Ya’ll forgot Petey Pablo was on Tha Row, huh?).  The set also has a DVD as well as unreleased material from Death Row artists. 

That’s it for this week.  Pick up and album or two----you know what?  Pick up four.  An album or four.  Get someone up on these charts. 

“Rappers cross-over. They dead.” Rakim returns to testify that he is a man alive with work to do on The Seventh Seal, his new album released on his own Ra Records label. Always a man of uncompromising vision, non-believers are presented with Ra's modern Hip-Hop gospel soaked in Godspeak. Sometimes obscure but never unobtainable, this new disc was easy to find at the Church of Best Buy for a ten dollar tithe.

Forty seconds into the first track “How to Emcee” Rakim's delivery and presence emerge as that of brand new emcee freshly delighted with word play and tightly crafted rhyme schemes. What should be surprising coming from a pioneer decades deep in this music is no surprise from Rakim, who is undoubtedly among the finest emcees ever to grace the booth and a master of original re-invention. He is hella people's favorite for a reason.

Production is provided by a current cast including Needlz, Jake One, and Nick Wiz. It is well known that Rakim is selective when it comes to records, a pivotal point that scuttled an Aftermath project with Dr. Dre. Perhaps lesser known is Rakim's fearlessness on the boards, having programed drums and even done scratching on some of his earliest classics. His taste and savvy are apparent here, as the beats are all bangers any emcee would give his left teste to rhyme on.

Rakim attacks each track with a variety of lyrical approaches which build upon his time tested methods, yet continue to be forward thinking. Flashback: Some of Rakim's seminal recordings were done in a studio where MC Shan of the legendary Juice Crew has said he was present and actually clowning on the young upstart's unheard of delivery. As a teenager, Rakim saw the path of the music clearly and brought Hip-Hop into a new future made in his own image. This new album will be debated and much of it is probably impenetrable to many music critics who will encounter it. The legacy remains intact.

The overall effect of this varied effort delivers a mixed result. “Man Above” could sit comfortably within a contemporary Christian Gospel play list. Here it contrasts against a heaping helping of hustle rap, juxtaposed on the record with “Documentary of a Gangsta” where Rakim flexes secular street rap skills with a sinister tone.

For an album with no curse words, it is perhaps blasphemous to shout out loud that the seventh track is effing incredible. Good Lord, it is that. When “Holy are You” first makes the speakers sparkle, Rakim's decade of near silence melts away completely as he shines his brightest. This song smokes anything else out so far this year, it is classic Ra not afraid to step in the booth, be the best ever, and speak to forever for four minutes. That it seems over too soon simply underscores the strong replay value of much of Rakim's formidable catalog. Rewind and repeat as necessary, until your mind is blown. Sequencing this song as track seven is an elegant touch of class from this visionary pioneer who manifests greatness. He knows exactly what he is doing with this record.

Vocally, Rakim stands on his own for the majority of the album. Of the few features the most magic is found on “Message in the Song” where his daughter Destiny Griffin sings while Rakim weaves words over a beat that oozes NYC ambiance. “Y'all know what my purpose is. I spit verses to lift curses off my dead president worshipers. Back where the surface is, gangsters and murderers. Making money made us merciless.”

Hooks have never been a crucial part of the God Emcee's formula which continues to rely on intricate layers of meaning stretched artfully across bars upon bars of masterful wordplay. Golden Age purists looking for Rakim rhyming over straight knocking beats with scratching on the hooks will find little of that here. However, when it does happen on this album it is fantastic. Nestled toward the album's close is the magnificent “Still in Love” which belongs among Rakim's finest love letters to Hip-Hop, the microphone is clearly still calling its favorite fiend.

There are few American artists who defy definition as Rakim does. He is a man of many mysteries, like, “Who is God?” or “How does Gwen Stephani keep showing up on Hip-Hop records?”

The Seventh Seal moves above and beyond where Rakim's last album The Master left off. Though at times it falls short of the high bar set by Paid in Full, its got some scorchers which will be Hip-Hop high points for 2009 and suggests that next year's album, already in the works, will be promising. The God Emcee Rakim Allah remains in fine form with soul food for thought as Earth takes its next trip around the Sun.

“I see though the eyes of the prophets, King Tutankhamens, and Martins and Malcolms, Elijah Mohommads, wise and with knowledge. Paid in Full ain't just the size of the pockets, this rise to the top is Ra's economics. I show you that time is more valuable then them diamonds in your watches. You grind for the block, you die for them dollars. What's worth more to you, your life or your gwop is?”

It’s been 10 years since Hip-Hop’s favorite antagonist unofficially released Power of the Dollar, the introductory EP which sparked controversy with “How to Rob,” a lyrical thrill-ride that jacked the music industry elite of the day. In those 10 years, 50 Cent has had a career that is the stuff of legends. By now, you should know the story by heart, orphaned early in life, shot nine times; he became a mixtape king and then shook up the world by signing with Dr. Dre and Eminem. Music, movies, books, clothing, a fragrance, even a $100 million come-up with Vitamin Water, the G-Unit General re-wrote the Hip-Hop blueprint all the while still being the rapper you love to hate.

With the release of Get Rich or Die Trying in 2003, 50 Cent charmed audiences worldwide with a flow all his own, his storytelling skills and braggadocio were unrivaled, he returned two years later with The Massacre, the deluxe version of which launched his love affair with short videos; he made one for every song on the album. But, it was 2007’s, Curtis, that marked a turning point, some would say a decline, for Fif, losing his album sales challenge to Kanye West’s Graduation put a **** in his armor, leaving him in a position where he has been before, poised for a comeback and ready to prove his detractors wrong. With Before I Self Destruct, that is exactly what he does.

From the intro, 50 Cent sets the stage for a darker and more ominous album. He waxes nostalgic on “Then Days Went By,” reminiscing on his pre-rap days, (Keep f**king with me you gon’ turn me back to Boo-Boo/have me casing out your crib/tryin’ to pop your f**king noodle). But it’s on one of the strongest tracks on the album, “Death to My Enemies”, produced by Dr. Dre and Mark Batson, where he comes closest to the aggressive and creative threatening that made him a superstar, (I’m like Damien n***a/when I start getting loose on you/closest thing to Lucifier/make you think you got a noose on you/I make it hard to breathe/I come where you hustle, air it out/make it hard to eat.)

50 plays to his many female fans on “Baby By Me” featuring Neyo, sampling himself on the hook, he promises that conceiving a child with him will make a lucky girl a millionaire, and then he turns around and releases his anger on the one woman who actually did have a baby by him. His ex-girlfriend, Shaniqua Tompkins feels the wrath on “Do You Think About Me.” (That’s why my ex is my ex/you don’t wanna be her/she used to have the Beemer/now she on the sneaker/I had her eating lobster/now she eating pizza). The song is a warning for groupies worldwide and yet still manages to pull off charisma and ghetto romance.

On “Psycho”, 50 and Eminem rekindle their familiar chemistry and the song is all that it would be expected to be, energetic and just a little psycho. 50 and Em fire warning shots at their respective enemies, all powered by a good, yet predictable Dre beat. 

With only three guest appearances on the album, Neyo, Eminem, and R. Kelly on “Could’ve Been You”, 50 puts himself and his skill in the foreground. Songs like “Crime Wave”, “Get It Hot”, and “Ok, You’re Right” are classic 50 Cent. He rides the tracks with the lyrical dexterity of a gymnast. Like most G-Unit affiliated albums, many of the producers on the album are lesser-known, making their work more important than their discographies. Dr. Dre has three tracks on BISD, Havoc, Rockwilder and Polow da Don each have one on the 16 track album, but skills on the boards and compatibility play a major role.

Not a perfect album, Before I Self Destruct, lags a bit in spots, but makes up for it in sheer effort, the album is a great offering from 50 Cent sure to quiet his naysayers… for now. Sorry, haters, but there will be no destruction here, unless it’s the enemies of Curtis Jackson.

That’s followed by The Black Eyed Peas and their chart topping album The E.N.D.  The group moves another 26,000 copies.

Well….That was depressing.  Onto dropping… 

Dropping this Week 

That charts this week were dismal.  Is that really news?  The charts have been dismal for the last few weeks (months).  Maybe somebody below will make it into the top ten for next week.  I’d say that the best bet for an artist coming anywhere close to the top ten for next week is Wale.  We’ll see…

First up, Olubawale Victor Folarin, also known as Wale, drops his debut album Attention Deficit.  There has been some decent music coming out of D.C. for the last couple of years on account of his the three successful mixtapes, 100 Miles, The Mixtape About Nothing, and Back To The Feature.  Wale’s debut features Bun B, Chrisette Michelle, K'naan, J.Cole, Gucci Mane, Jazmine Sullivan, Pharrell, Melanie Fiona, and Lady Gaga with production by Cool & Dre, Mark Ronson, The Neptunes, Best Kept Secret, and Dj Green Lantern.  Wale’s album sprung a leak last week so I know a lot of you have it, but the good news is the disc has been getting some pretty favorable reviews out there.  This one shouldn’t disappoint so, if you get a chance, go pick it up. 

Next up is MF Doom with his latest album Unexpected Guest.  This is archived material of MF Doom and guests including Talib Kweli, J. Dilla, Masta Killa, John Robinson, and Sean Price.  It’s older material but if you’re a fan of MF Doom, or want to hear what he’s all about, you should probably pick this one up.

DJ Drama and Wyclef Jean join forces to bring us the next album From The Hut, To The Projects, To The Mansion.  The album is pretty much all Wyclef with appearances from Lil Kim and….Cyndi Lauper.  Hey, you never know...the Lauper song might surprise you. 

About five years ago Babygrande Records released a compilation album of  The Wu Tang Clan featuring various other Hip Hop artists.  The first album, Wu-Tang Meet The Indie Culture, Vol 1, was supposed to “introduce hip-hop fans in general, and specifically, the famously large, loyal and diverse fan-base of the Wu-Tang to the burgeoning world of underground hip-hop.”  All I know is there was a collaboration on that volume between RZA and MF Doom that that needs to be heard by…well, everybody.  Now Frank Radio and iHipHop Distribution seek to do it again with Wu-Tang Meet The Indie Culture, Vol 2.  This time there is a little twist with the goal of this album being “to expose another untapped resource of underground talent, skill and artistry to this very same avid and intrepid fan-base.”  It’s Wu-Tang with dubstep or electronic music.  Sounds like it will be interesting.

Last but not least is Philly Rapper Freeway.  The former Roc-A-Fella MC returns with his new album Streetz Is Mine.  This one came out of the blue so I don’t know if it’s real or not but it does feature Young Chris and Beanie Sigel.  Someone out there give it a shot and let the rest of us know.

That’s it for dropping.  Pick up an album.

AllHipHop ChartWatch for November 4, 2009

The Hip Hop has been sparse on the charts these last few weeks with only Jay-Z and The Black Eyed Peas moving any numbers in the top ten.  Hopefully things should start to turn around as the big fourth quarter albums begin to drop.  Until then at least some rivalry will be able to hold the fans attention.  I’ll be honest…a rap beef between Rick Ross and 50 Cent never really interested me.  Even the beef between Fat Joe and 50 seemed dated and unnecessary.  For awhile there I thought the Joe Budden/Raekwon incident would produce some decent tracks from two great lyricists but all we got was youtube videos.  Granted they were entertaining videos but I would have appreciated a song or two.  I’m even starting to wonder whether Jay-Z will respond to 50 Cent’s constant poking in the media.  But Beanie Siegel….That’s a different story.  I don’t think a true Hip Hop fan can deny that Beans can hold his own with Jay-Z (lyrically) which means we might actually get a decent rap battle between two greats.  We may get an actual mainstream battle between two MC’s.  When’s the last time that happened?

Well like I said earlier the charts are lacking on the Hip-Hop side.  It’s like Michael Jackson came and knocked Hip Hop out of the top 10.  The late great King of Pop holds the number one spot with the movie soundtrack This Is It.  That leaves Jay-Z and The Black Eyed Peas holding the eleventh and fifteenth spot on the countdown.  The Black Eyed Peas sell another 29,000 copies of their latest album The E.N.D while The Blueprint 3 moves a strong 40,000.

Meanwhile, congratulations need to go out to Tech N9ne.  The Midwest MC managed to grab the number 14th spot (beating out B.E.P) by selling 30,000 copies of his latest disc K.O.D.  He was in “Dropping” last week so it’s nice to see him crack the top fifty and do some decent numbers 

Drake falls from the 23^rd to the 41^st spot but still manages to sell another 12,900 copies of his mixtape-turned-album So Far Gone. Rick Ross and Triple C's sell about 11,523. Wonder if that will make 50 Cent weep?

Sadly, there was no Hip-Hop in the top 10 and only what is up above in the top 50.  Maybe a little verbal sparring between some Hip Hop heavyweights coupled with some late year releases will boost the upcoming week’s sales.  Let’s move onto “Dropping”.

Dropping This Week

First up in “Dropping this Week” is a producer out of Switzerland.  He has produced for the likes of the French r&b duo Les Nubians, the Westcoast, underground MC Blu, and Canadian Hip Hop group Swollen Members.  Underground producer Chief finally releases his debut album.  The Swiss beatmaker drops his debut album, Collabo Collection, which is a gathering of tracks created between 2005 and 2009.  The album features some of the previously mentioned artists as well as Tha Connection, Abstract Rude, and John Robinson.  This should have a nice sound.  If you haven’t had a chance to hear any music from Chief then this album offers you the opportunity to catch up.

Kentucky Hip Hop trio return with the second installment of their album released last March.  Cunninlynguists drop Strange Journey Volume II a new album featuring E-40, Sean Price, Blue Sky Black Death, Bronze Nazareth, Poison Pen, Guilty Simpson and J-Zone.  There is also an extended version of the album being released that contains twelve instrumentals so if Cunninlynguist is your type of group you probably want to pick this one up.

Next up, Gift of Gab from the critically acclaimed duo Blackalicious, releases another solo album.  Escape 2 Mars is the rapper’s second solo album and features Del The Funky Homosapien and Brother Ali.  Gift of Gab is known for his lyrical ability so those looking to hear a complex rhyme structure that may be lacking on their local radio should pick this one up.

Keeping up with the “Hell” theme as shown by his debut album For The Hell Of It, and subsequent discs Hard As Hell, and Hell Up In The Bronx comes the latest album from Hell Rell, Live From Hell.  The album is Hell Rell live.  At this point it’s hard to keep up with who is in/out/feuding with/dropping out of/just an affiliate of Dip Set.  Fans of Hell Rell shouldn’t be disappointed.  I don’t know about the rest of us but the fans should like it.

Underground Houston Rapper K-Rino releases his latest album Solitary Confinement. K-Rino has been rapping since ’83 and has been involved in the Houston underground scene for a number of years.  If you’re looking at hearing some wordplay out of H-Town then this will be the album to pick up.

Next up is Atlanta duo The Yin Yang Twins who are releasing Legendary Status: Yin Yangs Twins Greatest Hits.  Actually I don’t know who is releasing this one because it doesn’t have “Whistle While You Twurk”, “"Say I Yi Yi", and "Wait (The Whisper Song)" but it does have “Salt Shaker”.  I guess that’s a greatest hits.

 Next up are Hip Hop pioneers Masta Ace and Ed O.G who team up to release the album Arts and Entertainment.  The album features Posdanus of De La Soul, Large Professor, DJ Spinna, KRS-One, Mr. Lif, Akrobatik and Chester French. Production is handeld by Double O of Kidz in the Hall, M Phases, DJ Supreme One and Frank Dukes. 

It’s not often that a female MC releases an album these days.  Chicago MC by way of Atlanta Rita J releases her debut album, Artist Workshop, on the underground label, All Natural, Inc.  The Southern Illinois University at Carbondale graduate has worked with other artists like DJ Spinna, Digable Planets, J-Live, Jungle Brothers, Stacy Epps, Stahhr the Femcee, and Black Spade.  Fans of Hip Hop should give her a chance and take a look at the debut album.

That’s it for Dropping this Week so go pick up an album or two.

Over the weekend producers Play-N-Skillz hosted their 3rd annual Halloween Bash at the House of Blues in Dallas, TX.

The extravaganza was a “Superheros, Actors and Entertainers” themed party and featured several big name guests including rapper Slim Thug, video director Dr. Teeth, Angela Simmons, Play-N-Skillz new artist Inertia, rapper Tum Tum and Rich Minds Records.

The multi-Grammy award-winning producers who recently signed a record label deal with SRC/Universal creating their own imprint G4 Muzik, and who have a new mixtape out entitled “Recession Proof” entertained a packed house of guests that all were dressed in creative costumes, a requirement for admission to the event.

Play came dressed as a GI Joe, while Skillz, came dressed as entertainer Sean Paul and was accompanied by Angela Simmons dressed as the lovely Minnie Mouse.

Slim Thug came dressed as Jay-Z sporting a Yankee fitted hat and humorously saying, “I’m looking for my Beyonce,” while Dr. Teeth was dressed as the late Jam Master Jay and at one point broke out the running man dance to chants of “Dr. DMC” Dallas’s Lingerie Football Team also made an appearance dressed in partial uniform and New England Patriots backup QB Isaiah Stanback was spotted on the red carpet.

Play-N-Skillz “Recession Proof” features all original music and includes features from Mannie Fresh, Slim Thug, Talib Kweli, Gorilla Zoe, Pitbull, Bun B, Slim of 112 and Krayzie Bone.

The duo plan to follow up their mixtape with an album entitled “Out Tha Box” which will be released on G4 Muzik.

This past Thursday at the Nokia Theatre in New York City, three of the most notable and some would say most influential artists in their respective primes, brought the present to the past, then back to the future in style with the Wonderland High School Tour. How else could you describe it? Over 45 years of professional experience between the three, close to 20 studio albums pressed, and know by millions across the globe, Snoop Dogg, Redman & Method Man led the packed audience down memory lane, while proving that each could still hold their ground.

Redman and Method Man opened the show to immediate roars while a small squad brought out a few old school fist pumps (ala Arsenio Hall). There was electricity in the air, as well as other things. Redman was the sparkplug of the two, free roaming the entire stage from the start. While Method Man worked the crowd as well, just less animated compared to his brethren. All of this was happening before the first song was performed.

They started off with hits from the “Blackout 2”, showing off their master of ceremony skills, playing a Hip-Hop inspired game of Simon Says with the crowd. Not one command from the “high” flyers was met with a rebuttal. The audience was building their stride, anticipating what was to come. When Redman took it back to 1992 with ‘Time for Some Action’ (I know, the title was grammatically correct), the crowd exploding into one arm bouncing and tippy toe jumps at a hectic pace. Then Method Man, showing love to his Wu-Tang family including ODB (rest in peace), jumped two years ahead with his hit “M-E-T-H-O-D Man”. The classics were in session from that point on from ‘You’re All That I Need’ to ‘I’ll Be That’ to ‘How High’ and so on. And what is a Redman and Method Man performance without the stage dives. Nobody was hurt during the ritual.

Little did the crowd know that while Method Man was “walking on water” (he was standing on top of the crowd that was holding him up), Snoop Dogg was making his way into the building, rocking his Yankee blue fitted with the matching Yankees jacket. After a brief intermission, the Dogg Father was on stage and the “electricity” in the air became thicker. It was all about ‘Gangsta Luv’ from the start.

Snoop Dogg is just too cool for even himself. His swag is impeccable, and although complaints are levied against artists that perform in a box on stage, Snoop even makes the box acceptable. It’s only right that Snoop Dogg is laid back. All of his hit records are smooth and they reach across his entire career. The West Coast was definitely in attendance with Lady of Rage making an appearance, while Ice T and Coko were seen backstage. Dogg Pound representative, Kurupt brought lyrical and hype man skills to the table. The audience loved it, singing along with all of Snoops hits from ‘Gin N’ Juice’ to ‘2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted” (where Snoop showed his fellow fallen soldier some love) to “Ain’t No Fun featuring Kurupt”.

Overall, the Wonderland High School Tour proved that Career Artists are just as viable now as to when they’ve debuted. So be on the lookout for more features on Career Artists in Hip-Hop.

Will “Deshair™” Foskey is a social journalist/blogger, born and raised in New Jersey. His most recent project, www.TheRacetoNowhere.blogspot.com has launched to rave reviews this past summer.