The Justa's League

Lupe Fiasco- Around My Way(Freedom Ain’t Free)When the song...

Thu, 24 May 2012 11:14:43 -0700

Lupe Fiasco- Around My Way(Freedom Ain’t Free)

When the song started my inner-hip-hop elitist almost appeared front and center. Thinking to myself “Is that is the T.R.O.Y beat, that hear “what is he thinking?”. Fortunately, it’s long past the days when The Source magazines mic ratings mattered, and I can’t remember the last time I have seen MTV’s Jam of the Week(I don’t watch much TV, does this still exist), and I can allow myself to listen to a song through to the end. Aside from the beat, Lupe does what he does very well. Shares his outlook on American society as a whole.

This song might appeal to me a little more than others, because I as i have previously said I don’t watch much TV, and I spend a lot of time reading books(Charles Eisenstien, Vine Deloria Jr, and James Baldwin…) that address a lot of the content that he is referencing in the song. Then again, I wasn’t one of the internet hip-hop heads that thought LASERS was the worst album ever, nor was it my favorite(but that story is not important), but none the less I enjoyed what it was.

What’s insane though, is how people can sit and hate, when a quality artist with a positive message decides to put out something, and continue to support other messages that are detrimental to communities at large? Doubt that question will ever be answered in my lifetime though.

Kirk Franklin-Always I often wonder what forces come together...

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:50:50 -0700

Kirk Franklin-Always

I often wonder what forces come together in the process of creating something as beautiful as this song. From the humble beginnings of a few chords on piano, to the addition of strings, brass, and voice a there definitely is something greater at work here. By the time of performance(this was recorded live) the forces at work come together to produce a pleasure to the soul like no other.

Common ft Cee Lo-Between Me, and You & Liberation When one...

Thu, 03 May 2012 11:30:01 -0700

Common ft Cee Lo-Between Me, and You & Liberation

When one looks back at this period of Commons music, I would hope they would not forget one of his best pieces of work. Years before Lil B’s I’m Gay, the was this often neglected piece that dealt with homosexuality in a non-negative light on his third verse. A encounter with a friend that would reveal to him his sexual orientation ends the song, while tales of a victim of sexual abuse, and a conversation with a family member who is passing on are the other tales. A powerful take on liberation from the perspective of who we might initially might view as victims in our society, and the power they themselves find in their pain. From a album that I feel like often is thrown under the bus too often, this jewel is a must listen too.

Esperanza Spalding & The Southern California...

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:36:31 -0700

Esperanza Spalding & The Southern California Children’s Chorus - “What a Wonderful World”

Sometimes it’s good to have reminder about all the wonderful things we are share on this Earth.

Tyga ft Nas Wale-Kings And Queen Tyga had no business on this...

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:02:22 -0700

Tyga ft Nas Wale-Kings And Queen

Tyga had no business on this song. The only reason I can think that Tyga would even imagine that he was belonged on the track, was that he had that same surgery that Leonardo Dicaprio did at the end of Shutter Island and forgot that at best, his verse is Drake-lite. Here is a classic case of how business continues to do it’s best to kill the culture. Because why else would an artist like Tyga be able to deliver the sub-par verses along with Wale(as much as I hate his new direction, dude can spit) and The Legendary Nas(God’s Son). Especially considering that any contribution in the last 13 months that Nas contributed a verse to, equals us staring into space in awe of the lyrics that were just unleashed upon us.. Wale is able to hold his own, he has some nice lines, and it’s not a one listen verse unlike Tyga’s(who comes off as more a kitten) entry-level submission, The beat also lends to the featured artists on the track, this sounds like something that would either be on a Nas or Wale album versus the guy who I forgot had a hit single with Chris Brown a few months back…The game aint the same.

Blu & Exile ft Miguel- Cold Hearted This song reminds me...

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:31:10 -0700

Blu & Exile ft Miguel- Cold Hearted

This song reminds me always of a point in a film where the main protagonist after encountering the worse, sees a bit of light to motivate them through the rest of their tale. Or even better, it reminds me of hitchhiking through Europe, when you would head out early morning and the sun would be just right on your shoulders, and no matter what happened the day before, you were just looking at the present.

Diggy Simmons - Unforgivable Blackness [Unexpected Arrival] (by...

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:23:34 -0700

Diggy Simmons - Unforgivable Blackness [Unexpected Arrival] (by Diggy simmons)

Last week I read a book titled How to Be Black (yep, I needed help in this area)byBaratunde Thurston. I enjoyed reading this narrative quite a bit, relating to the subject matter of the book which sometimes dealt the experience of growing up black in America from a comical point view, and others quite seriously. Which to some might immediately communicate the work was about struggle(rightly so), poverty(dash of that), and BET(). While some of the above might have a hand in the story, the interesting thing I felt that was provided by that what it means to be black goes beyond those stereotypes.

Which brings me to Diggy’s song Unforgiveable Blackness, which questions as well what blackness means from the perspective of rap royalty. Son of Rev Run who was part of the first rap groups to meet crossover success, and nephew to Def Jam founder multi-millionaire Russell Simmons ask why is “black card” is in question, because he has a “black card”? While his family’s wealth has afforded him opportunities and experiences that most will never be able to encounter, it will never change the fact that his skin is black.

A positive reflection, that encourages us who to share the skin, to move the identity that black must look like this and that, or is this, or that as a human being. And if the current national attention of the murder of Trayvon Martin has proven anything, it’s that that we need more voices like these two artist two shed more positive light amongst ourselves(while not completely ignoring the effects that the negatives have had on us) and just maybe that will inspire the George Zimmerman’s of the world to think twice about dominate society’s negative definition of what blackness is.

Kendrick Lamar ft Gunplay-Cartoons & Cereal Last week a song...

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:29:06 -0700

Kendrick Lamar ft Gunplay-Cartoons & Cereal

Last week a song by Kendrick Lamar featuring the (over-hyped)Dr Dre was unleashed upon the world wide web. A good look, but that one is obviously a 101 for his music. So I decided to give this song a go again, since upon my first listen, I was quickly bored with the overlong bridge/hook that the song starts with. Which probably is a condition that a lot of those who buy music online suffer from as well. This time though I let the beat come in and actually listened to his verses. Which I can now say after a second listen…are crazy! I am beginning to see his appeal more and more as his productions get better(which has been my main complaint on his music) and his flow just grows even stronger.

I just sit in amazement hearing songs like this, thinking to myself for everyone that think that the art of rap is dead, maybe are just dead themselves. Cause this new jack has a lot of life to share.

Odd Future - “NY (Ned Flander)” [feat. Hodgy Beats...

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:35:52 -0700

Odd Future - “NY (Ned Flander)” [feat. Hodgy Beats & Tyler, The Creator]

I was reading some hipster review of the Odd Future Vol 2 Tape and it always upsets me that he find need to define the artist. Instead of focusing in on the music, he instead beings with the videos that preceded the album, which have little to do with what’s being played in your earphones at the moment. Anyways, Hodgy Beats will be getting plenty of repeat plays from me this year. The progress from Mellowhype to now is quite impressive. Then there is Tyler the Creator whose verse is nice and whose beat is even nicer. The eerie synth and baseline is head nod music at it’s finest. A nice middle finger to those who continue to nitpick at every move the crew makes right here.

Frank Ocean-Whip AppealOne of my favorite new artist is this Mr...

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:15:29 -0700

Frank Ocean-Whip Appeal

One of my favorite new artist is this Mr Ocean. The guy is a true words smith, and writes songs that express a little more than your typical For Profit artist, who is being backed by a corporation who sings out of to continue to pump egos. A song about his sports car which holds no current value basically due to his license being suspended, and the fact that without the beauty who is pushing the whip. A great narrative, that is supported by a bright up-tempo production that expresses the speed which ones heart might be racing with a “pretty girl driving my sports car”.

BJ The Chicago Kid - His Pain II (feat. Kendrick Lamar) With all...

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:00:00 -0700

BJ The Chicago Kid - His Pain II (feat. Kendrick Lamar)

With all the hype in the age of information it’s easy to sometimes pass over art that could possibly touch your soul. The critics/peoples latest sensation Kendrick Lamar shines, and by shines I mean illuminates life itself through his heartfelt verses. The pain in his voice connects with the bluesy piano and touches the soul. BJ The Chicago Kid, who has been pretty impressive in his cameos throughout the years is able to channel in the spirit of those soul singers before him and shares his pain as well. A truly beautiful collaboration between two artists who aren’t afraid to share emotion.

Reblog if you love to write.

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 19:13:26 -0700

Whether it be fanfiction, original stories, drabbles, songs, poems, books, or anything that has to...

The Batwa Dance (by Artsy07) This is the best thing I have...

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:40:04 -0700

The Batwa Dance (by Artsy07)

This is the best thing I have watched all year. No huge budget, no studio, no mastering, no make-up, no stage, no showmanship, just human beings enjoying life. It gets no better than this. I absolutely love everything about this video.

Alakaholiks ft ODB- Hip-Hop Drunkies More of that good music I...

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:00:06 -0800

Alakaholiks ft ODB- Hip-Hop Drunkies

More of that good music I grew up on. The Lik’s were so underrated. I was just having a conversation the other day, of how they kind of just a little to early to catch a bit more spotlight. With the rise of the X-Games/Skateboard scene now, they would’ve been on. Not to even really get into that whole post-American Pie crowd where partying became cool again.

Sadly at the time, they really didn’t fit the mold of anything out, they weren’t gangsta, weren’t backpacker, they were kind of just in their own lane out to have fun it seemed. They were the people at the party everyone was cool with. In current world, where a personality-ess Mac Miller, can have a Number 1 selling album, I think they would fair pretty well.

I remember coolin out to this track many of nights, or putting on the instrumental and “freestylin” during after parties. E-Swift nailed the production, and Tash, J-Ro an Ol Dirty Bastard just made it sound like it was another party going on within the audio. This is dopeness.

mrjmedeiros: NEW SONG! “PALE BLUE DOT” FREE DOWNLOAD! Whoa,...

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:40:30 -0800

mrjmedeiros:

NEW SONG! “PALE BLUE DOT” FREE DOWNLOAD!

Whoa, just happen to log on here and see this. Always have love for Mr J, and Stro. Dudes always come with that Fresh!

Exile - When Nothings Left (Feat. Blu) As a listeners of music,...

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 12:00:05 -0800

Exile - When Nothings Left (Feat. Blu)

As a listeners of music, we have become sold the latest illusion lately that Itunes and the age of MP3’s is the best that it’s ever been. Beyond that, we also believe that music is supposed to have mastered/mix clean/polished sound. One that takes away the warmth and higher audio quality of our parents generation, even CD’s were sounding better than what we hear now days. And believe it or not, Beats By Dre aren’t helping things any better.

Which is why when a song like this comes along and does it’s best to recapture that feeling, it’s sad that there isn’t a audience complaining why this isn’t on vinyl? Could you imagine how much more crips that snare would sound on that format??? Or the even the tracked verses? One can only imagine now days I guess.

Common-Faithful Reading Common’s (auto)biography,memoir a...

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:30:05 -0800

Common-Faithful

Reading Common’s (auto)biography,memoir a few weeks ago had me really hyped up about his music again. Though he didn’t spend as much time as I would’ve liked breaking down his albums(because for some reason he thought that his relationships and acting career is what his fans wanted to hear about), the little that he did got me inerested in listening to everything outside that one Pharrell handled the bulk of(I won’t even mention it).

When Be dropped it was like the now grown-up full time job having Rawkus crowd could finally rejoice from their cubicles. The album was everything Common fans had been waiting for. Boom-bap production, Raw lyrics, no singing for him, and also a little guy from the Chi by the name Kanye West(think a few of you might know him) handled the bulk of the production work as well.

One of my favorite songs off it was Faithful. Not many tracks on a popular album, from a male perspective, tackle subject matter such as so. What Common does well is able to paint the picture from the outside observer looking in on a tale. When he begins his first verse with the question”what if God, was a her?”, you know your not in for your average cupcakin’-R&B feature type song. Instead we get an analysis of what “Faithful” means in the complicated world of male/female relationships. If that enough to have you hitting play again, you add the magnificent voices of Bilal and John Legend on the track. With all these variables coming together with their best efforts, the sum is something to truly take in, and warrants every additional listen therefore after.

holysoul: Otis Redding I’m Coming Home

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:23:12 -0800

holysoul:

Otis Redding I’m Coming Home

Yonas Michael-Lead The Way(feat. Polyester & Phil Ade) Two...

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:20:31 -0800

Yonas Michael-Lead The Way(feat. Polyester & Phil Ade)

Two months in 2012 and there is little that I have heard so far personally warranting me to post on it. So I’ll take a trip back to 2011 and this track off of Yonas Michael’s late year release, Lost In Hollywood.

You might remember him from the now disbanded group out of Los Angeles U-N-I(sad to groups continue to go this route). This song though goes pretty hard, and has a certain swag(hate using that term) to it.

Since being back from Europe songs like this have taken a little more liking to me since I once again spend a good amount of time in Cars again. This song is a perfect companion to a night drive somewhere, or nowhere. Just has that kind of energy to it.

De La Soul- I Am, I Be Upon returning from my 10 month adventure...

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:31:10 -0800

De La Soul- I Am, I Be

Upon returning from my 10 month adventure through Europe something that strikes me as odd about America is how little people actually think(period) about life. Maybe it’s a product of me growing older, and a little more jaded in society, or it could it be that I stand correct?

This song is everything that I love about great music. It connects with the human at our very core. The opening and closing drops with people saying who they are, and who they be as the horn blows is classic. It’s a metaphorical Walls of Jericho almost. As the people of Isreal identify themselves to the city over as they march around the walls that will eventually come down. This music parades itself in honesty, and the walls of perception fully crumble as a sense of true self is identified, proclaimed and stated loud and clear.

This is beautiful music.