ILLEST LINES OF ALL TIME?

Peace baby. We here at HipHopCritic have a genuine love for the game...so let us hear your top 5 favorite lines of all time.
-2fingertwist
J.RollemSwol
www.rollemswol.com

Flyness In Hip Hop/Does It Belong?

Whats really hood? For years rappers have bragged and boasted, stunted & flossed...but why? Is it necessary? Some say it is to prove something to one's self (usually a not so very fly individuals remark), but the others..the kool kids...ask have you ever put a crispy pair of J's on that set your entire ensemble thru the roof? Or had stacks at your disposal? Now, the people that say flashiness does not have a home in hip hop, I ask you...are you a fan of The Ruler? Do you enjoy Hov? I bet you only like that grimy B.I.G, you probably think One More Chance was too commercial...but I'm here to drop a precious jewel on you real quick fast...Get some bread, run thru the mall droppin off cash like it's coated in anthrax to the point where if your outfit clicked anymore somebody might get the impression you had a little style to ya...then blaze an L..hit the pad or booth & lemme know how inspired you feel to tell a tale of darkness & deceit. They brag because they feel like the shit, and they boast because they want you to know it. Try it sometime...there you go consider it your contribution to the economy.
J.RollemSwol
www.rollemswol.com
www.youtube.com/serchlitetv

Has Technology Killed Album Sales?

As of late I began thinking when the last time was that I purchased an album, and I remembered buying Lil Jon & The Eastside Boys Put Yo Hood Up. Which was in 2001.Keep in mind I own well over 500 cd's, all of them burned. Which sprung the question, do people pay for music anymore or has the music business been over ran by ad dollars? What was the last album that you bought, and when? Do you think "burning" pirated music is okay? Get At Us
J.RollemSwol
www.rollemswol.com

Henok Achido - Pusher (feat. Sophia Somajo)

J.RollemSwol

LIL WAYNE ROCKS (LITERALLY?)

Here we go folks, our favorite rapper (not mine) has previously announced that he would be doing a full fledged rock-n-roll album to be released within the first quarter (next couple of weeks). The first single put out in called "PROM QUEEN" although I am a HUGE hip-hop fan I tend to keep my ears open for all music that is good, this song on the other hand I am very unsure of, it could possibly just take time to grow on me but we shall see. Here it is, tell us what YOU THE LISTENER thinks of his latest venture

-----RENEGADE RICH

Detroit LOVES this!!!

Ay bitches, this is Rucka Rucka Ali. I wanted to share this song with you, cause we played it on the radio and got some phone calls from people that was less than thrilled. Some death threats, some shit-talking and whatnot.

Maybe yawl can explain this to me: Why does Detroit flip the bitch switch when you make fun of their city??

I guess it's like making fun of a dying man.

I LOVE Detroit. Honest. But if I can't make fun the burning capital, then the Lions already lost (again)

Watch this video, and tell me what you think!!



Hope yawl's panties ain't in a bunch. I'm just being funny is all.

Safe,

Rucka Rucka Ali

Is This How Rappers Are Supposed To Act?

Lucky that aint my daughter

Stretch Money- Takes Money To Make Money

Stretch Money - What You Know About Me

This cool breeze named Stretch Money is the future of Detroit Rap. This joint has a little age on it, but still a gem.

Talib Kweli & Rakim- Subway Surfing

Talib Kweli & Jean Grae- Where Ya Gonna Run

Mos Def & Talib Kweli- Supreme Supreme

Remember Renegade?

Ay yo, Remember that Eminem and Jay-z joint "Renegade"?, well many of you may not know that the original song itself was Royce Da 5'9"s and due to record label bullshit the two were unable to put it out under their "Bad Meets Evil" group name, some how some way Jay heard it and asked Royce to use it and the rest is history. Peep it out and tell me what YOU think..

---Renegade Rich

P.S. did you peep the similarities to Royce's verse and Em's verse on the "Dead Wrong" remix with biggie? (something is fishy about that shit)

Eminem Album Almost Done

As most any hip hop fan knows already our hometown hero Eminem is back in the lab recording his new album, and our boy fitty has been quoted as saying recently that it is near completion. Myself I am a huge Em fan and am highly looking forward to the new shit to hit, but juding by the new "Crack A Bottle" song I am fearful that it wont be the shady I enjoy listening to. Here is an oldie but a goodie from a couple years back that im going to use as an example of the Slim that I and many others would like back, check it out and enjoy that classic shit

---Renegade Rich

Is Weezy A MC???

Some love him...Some hate him. Some on the other hand dont know what the fuck to think. He can jump on any beat and wreck shop. He is on numerous multiplicities of commercial crossover hits. He has an immaculate body of work, and gives one hell of a live performance. Doesn't write, yet has an awkward, maybe misunderstood flow. Is Weezy Whack...or the new breed of MC? I'm leaning toward MC. He can jump on anything son...anything and fuckin kill it. Hands down. Swagg is up...got mad gems on the underground tip, and insane crossover success. This cats career spans longer than a decade with a crazy amount of music. You may not like him or his music, but you gotta respect him. He came in the game at an age when most were just learning what to do with a woody, and since has grossed millie's, gone multi platinum and persevered past the crew he came in with. I dont know folks...I think he is certified.
-J.RollemSwol
www.rollemswol.com
www.myspace.com/rollemswolclothing
www.youtube.com/serchlitemusic

Biter's Beware

Here's another song that my boy Big Kev turned me onto recently. The song is by T-Pain, and is directed towards all the people in the industry that bitched,moaned, and complained about him using the auto tune all the time, now I had the pleasure of being around Mr. Pain during a recent interview and ask him the mood he was in when he recorded this certain song (that video should be up soon) the song is properly entitled "Karaoke" and in my opinion is very dope. You guys get back to us and let us know what you think.

p.s. Peep the Kanye cameo (funny as hell)

---Renegade Rich

Classic Footage

I recently had the pleasure of seeing the Biggie bio-pic "Notorious", and in this film there is a scene where some fool is goin around the streets sayin B.I.G cant rhyme.After a quick meet up the two find themselves on a Fulton Ave. corner having a battle, and as it is going on I couldn't help but notice I had seen it before (the real fooTge that is) on television and documentaries, so here it is check it out and send us a comment if you desire

---Renegade Rich

Fuck France! The Musical

Ay yawl, this Rucka Rucka Ali. MC Serch's illest find since Nas. My PEOPLES here been gassing me up so I thought I would stop by and share this video.

FUCK FRANCE!


F*** France from Pinegrove Records on Vimeo.

More of this bull on my myspace!

Yours truly,

Rucka Rucka Ali

B-Boy Document

Pretty Dope
-J.RollemSwol
www.rollemswol.com

Classic Eminem- If I Get Locked Up Tonite

Straight Outta SouthSide

Kinda diggin it....not really a 50 fan...but he really goes in. Verdict: DOPE
-J.RS

EXCLUSIVE-P.L.-FRESHER DEN YOU

This cat is from Michigan, and this track is really really dope. Please comment.
J.Rollem
www.rollemswol.com

EXCLUSIVE- Ryan Leslie/Jadakiss-How It's Supposed To Be REMIX

Pretty Dope. Me Likey.
-J.RS
www.rollemswol.com

Gem: Kool G Rap/ Nas- Fast Life

Just in case you've never heard this before...FUCKIN CLASSIC!!!
-J.Swol'em
www.rollemswol.com
THANK ME LATER

Should MC's Jump On R&B Joints???

This has been in question for quite some time, and like everything else it all boils down to the paper. But speaking on principles, should MC's lace R&B joints? Some of 'em turn out dope i.e. Make It Last Forever w/ Nas...and a few others, but should they? I know I know thugs need love too, but really? Is it a violation of MC code (if you will) to jump on a R&B track, and start caking? Tell me what you think?
-J.Swol'em
www.rollemswol.com

GO HARD EXCLUSIVE WITH JAY-Z

Words can't explain....this track was already certified DOPE...then HOV jumped on it...Get outta here!!
-J.RollemSwol

What Makes An Emcee

We throw this title around very loosely. So it raises the question, what qualities must a rapper possess to be considered an Emcee? If you watched the film of the same title they say 1st you gotta have a name and yada fuckin yada. Everyone has a name, and they're like assholes, some stink some don't. When we say MC here, We Mean Real MC. Can the said rapper spit on the spot, off the head, raw flow? Because FRESTYLES ARE NEVER WRITTEN. Seeing how that is the core of hip hop that is the most important quality. Swagger is also a must (gotta be you 1st) When I say swagger I dont necessarily mean FLOSS, because everything aint for everybody. Originality...T-Pain chastises others for using auto-tune, but he jocked that fresh from Mr. Troutman... tho thats like me doimg the Serch running man 20 years later and calling it my own...whatevers clever, dude was hilarious when we met him. Yeah you gotta be original in your spit, style, and beat selection...ah the music, MC's choose different beats than rappers, it's a fact can you imagine Mos Def on a Franchise Boyz Beat...didnt think so. What qualities do you think make an Emcee? Remember MC Means MOVE THE CROWD....
-J.RollemSwol
www.rollemswol.com

Is Gucci Mane Whack Or Ahead Of His Time?

What Up What Up....So I'm buildin' with Serch right, and we're discussing whether Weezy is dope or not, and we got on the topic of Gucci Mane. Do you think Gucci Mane is whack? He is called "The Best Worst Rapper" is that name fitting? His body of work speaks for itself, dude has mixtapes galore. You can check any mixtape site, and I promise you find at least 10 different tapes from Gucci. In the South he is hailed as royalty, but if you venture far from the Mason Dixon line he starts getting a whacker reception. I personally am undecided. He is a rapper of a different breed I guess. I dont know he would qualify as an Emcee, but he is a rapper, maybe not even a good 1...U decide.
-J.RollemSwol
www.rollemswol.com

Top Ten B.I.G Cuts Of All Time

Yo Yo what's really hood? Seeing as how we are on the eve of one of the most highly anticipated cinematic releases of our time, I felt it appropriote to do a top ten b.i.g list. Now this movie has mucho potential to succeed, but Mr. Wallace was a major figga so this film may do him no justice...We'll be the judge of that...please believe it. Lemme commence to say everytime someone says biggie, it does not need to be immediately followed by a pac reference. Them dudes were 2 seperate men, although they had similar fates, they led seperate lives, and had seperate swag. And BIG was better...hey it's my blog, my opinion. I must also say with this film has come a mass amount of BIG airplay ( most definitely a great thing...he is what the games been missin) Now my list....
1. One More Chance Remix
Most Playa fuckin track ever..."once ya grin I'm in game again"
2.Kick In The Door
BIG killed that shit, and dropped a little turd on Nas at the end on some slick shit.
3.The World Is Filled
His verse on here is quite possibly my favorite of all time "Some be chasin I replace em" "Make a bird tell her flock see ya later"
4.Warning
Do I really need to explain
5.Sky Is The Limit
Not only is it hella motivational, but the video really put it over the top with the kid versions of the Bad Boy camp
6. 10 Crack Commandments
Everybody needs a rulebook, and it applies across the board not just the dope game
7.Victory
Another 1 that needs no explanation
8. Gimmie Tha Loot
Cause I'm Bad bad boy"
9.Suicidal Thoghts
Did u hear his spit? "It don't make sense, goin' to heaven wit the goodie-goodies
Dressed in white, I like black Tims and black hoodies"
10. You're Nobody Till Somebody Kills You
The music got me on this one. The interlude was sick with diddy reading scripture.

Yo shoot me your top ten BIGGIE Joints
-J.Rollem

300,000 Views Dont Lie!!!!

To many of you who are Serchlite Music followers you should already be on what im about to shine light upon. This dude is straight up fucking hilarious, his name is Rucka Rucka Ali and what he brings to the table is a fresh and new view on the hip hop parody, we all know that Weird Al has had that shit on lock for a minute but where these two differ is the fact that Ruck goes after hip hop and R&B songs strictly. The following song is a parody of the T.I. hit "Whatever You Like" but Ruck's is entitled "Whatever Im White"...peep it out, laugh you ASS off and shoot me some comments people!!!!!!!

---Renegade Rich

"Too Much" Has An Epic Sound

I recently purchased a double disc by one of my favorite artists to listen to, the artist is Tech N9ne and the cd is called "Killer", dont get me wrong the whole disc is dope in my opinion, I just wanted to highlight the last track on the first disc entitled "too much" a song that to me sounds very epic and if you enjoy rapid fire flows with hearable clarity I feel you will be very fond of this track

---Rich

These Emcee's have a 'Deathwish"

I gotta give my homie Big Kev a shoutout for putting me on onto this track featuring one of my favorite Emcee's, Jadakiss and Lil Wayne solidly deliver on this one which from the annoying ass sample in the background is a Dj Plus Exclusive. Those who say Wayne is not up to par lyrically need to take notice and acknowledge his progrees as an Emcee, I mean to be able to follow up Kiss with an Equally dope verse is a milestone upon itself.Let us know what you guys think

--Rich

New South Shit

Two artists from two different parts of the south have partnered up and recently completed a series of songs for their recent mixtape collaboration. The artists being Memphis Tennessee's own Yo Gotti and Atlanta Georgia's own Gucci Mane, and this cut is entitled "Bricks" with a good thumper provided by super producer Zaytoven abd solid verses by Gotti and Gucci this one is sure to rattle the block till 4 in da Mornin

---Rich

Old School Gem

Earlier J and I were discussing that old classic shit we used to bump all the time when we lived in TN. Suddenly the one underground banger came to mind that had the whole state on blast when it came out, a track by the name of "Nobody Needs Nobody" (ft. Playa Fly,Gangsta Blac,and Bill Chill on the hook) was released back in 1998 but still bangs on southern stations to this day, here it is take a listen and tell me what you think

Mae Day/Sade "Hold On" EXCLUSIVE Only on HIP HOP CRITIC

Yo...if you aren't up on Mae Day...sun...you aint up on hip hop. She is the future. Blessed by MC Lyte to continue the female MC legacy, and armed with an arsenal of dope lyrics (even doper beats courtesy of De'Notes). This leaked EXCLUSIVE track is from her upcoming album CHERISH THE DAY. Lemme let you in on a lil somethin man...this is a concept album like none before, and it will surely be imitated, but never replicated. She has fused with the legendary Sade. Mae has layed some crucial verses over Sade vocals, and beats. FUCKIN' CLASSIC B!!!!
-J.

50 Cent-"Play This On The Radio"

This record only leaves 1 question in my mind...why the fuck did they get this nigga started? Everyone knows 50 is a tough guy...he crushed Ja Rule (hehehe)but he probably set hip hop back about 10 years with his impression. Do you think he has the skill level to talk reckless in Hov's direction? He is (or was at 1 time) very marketable, but an emcee? Highly doubt it. HATED IT!!! I'm going to burn Fiff with his own line from his only decent album " You shouldnt throw stones if you live in a glass house, and if you got a glass jaw u should watch yo mouth" I'm not sayn he cant take a punch (hell he has a bullet in his face)but these kind of tracks right here are a desperate cry to not be forgotten. Step your game up, and quit being a bully, nobody likes the O'Doyles (see if you catch that reference.)
-J

Hi-Tek Featuring Jadakiss, Papoose, Raekwon,Talib Kweli "Where It Started At"

Holy Hot Shit!!!! If yous a Hip Hop Head you are already up on this, but if not..that's why we're here. Enlightenment Enlightenment!!!! Drop Jewels every chance you get!!!
-J.RollemSwol

Saigon Kool G Rap "The Letter P"

Not a new record, but this is what spittin' is about. Classic concept, dope emcee beat, 2 mufuckas rockin' that shit.I can imagine them recordin this in the studio gettin blunted, sippin somethin, and just goin in.
-100
J.Swol

1 Of The Best Collabo Remix's Jay-Z Nas "Allure"

Intro Sample from Heat...fuckin' classic (FYI..Check for Righteous Kill...Mos Def future classic flick)Really fresh track, listen here...let me know how u livin'
Dueces
J.Rollem

Young Capone & Mario "Choosin'" EXCLUSIVE

This track isn't here based on lyrical content, but rather the fact it's new. Pretty slick track, hook sounds good. Mario is a cool dude, he was mad cool when we met him at SummerJam in Detroit, therefore it's all love from The SerchLite Camp.
-100
J.RollemSwol

EPMD- You're A Customer

Serch,
You're my mans, and I really respect your mind, but callin EPMD overrated...come on bro. Lol. Listen real quick.
-100
J.RollemSwol

Nas Flashback "U Gotta Love It"

Nas is hands down in the top 3 lyricist of all time. Most definitely runnin strong for 1 out of 2 best rapper's alive. Jay is in there, but in the context of lyrical content...Mr. Jones might wear the crown.
-100
J.RollemSwol

NEW Jim Jones & Ryan Leslie "Precious"

What Up Doe...Not really a birdgang fan...kinda think they suck, but this R&B cat Ryan Leslie is pretty dope. Jimmy Jones is really lookin busta-ish jumpin Ne-Yo, thats up there with robbin' Yung Berg....(no offense...I'm just sayin'). Listen to the track..let us know what u think.

-100
J.RollemSwol

MOST OVERRATED EMCEE OF ALL TIME

Peace:

Let get it cracking. I know that many of us love to talk emcee’s. We love to dissect lyrics and content and their meaning. Some records just hit us at a point in our life when the message was coinciding with something we were feeling. When this happens we deicide that the artist or group that exposed your feelings has to be the greatest emcee ever. We hold that dude down no matter what, no matter what argument. Sometimes it takes that artist or group that one moment to connect with you, maybe gave you a pound at a show, or stopped to sign a shirt or a hat. You might have been luke warm on them but after that moment you just held them down like they were the greatest thing since the creation of hip hop. I feel that many emotions make up our favorites list. Hopefully it is about more than what I just talked about, cause lets face it, maybe less than 1% of you out there get to chop it up with an artists that has put out music you like. Many of us get caught up in the hype, drink the kool-aide, and buy the bridge, if you will. So many fans are just dick riders, lets keep it 100. You know what I am talking about. There are so few that can really talk lyrics and artists. Just cause you know that artists biggest single does not mean they should be G.O.A.T material and yet they are there. We scoff and laugh but these rappers have touched people and thus have gotten props where they might not have been deserved. This is not about dissing anyone who makes music and I want to make that clear. This blog is not about tearing someone down; I am not built like that. This blog is not to take away any ones shine or credibility, that is not my place. I am just simply saying that there are many rappers who I feel are over rated. This is my personal list. These are my personal feelings and I hope that this will start some real conversation and not just spewing hate, cause if that happens, I will just take this down. Hip Hop Critic is about those who love and know this music to have intellectual conversations about this culture and artists that we love. Here is my list:

1-Tupac: Many of you already got your gloves on and are ready to go at it, but at least let me explain. Tupac was able to convey great emotion through song. He was able to make great songs. Many of these songs are classics, “Brenda’s Got A Baby”, “ I Get Around”, “Hit’em Up”, “How Do You Want It”, “Wonder if Heaven’s got a Ghetto”. These are great songs, but to be a great emcee you have to be able to not only make a great song, but to be witty with the word play, and Pac was just real straight forward and did not really flip the language in a way that proved he was a word smith. He was a great rapper, a rapper who moved millions with his voice and emotion, but as an emcee he was not all of that, and certainly does not deserve to be mentioned in the top 5 of all time. He is not ever in my top ten, not even in my top 15, personally.

2-C.L. Smooth: How can so many people love this dude so much and he only really made one record in his whole life that was any good? If you really listen to those rhymes on T.R.O.Y they are all over the place and really hard to follow. The tracks were so bonkers that everyone fell in love with the song and eventually love C.L. Smooth. Show me one other example where he was witty with the rhymes other than the above song I mentioned and we can have a debate. Lets be clear, with Pete Rock, C.L. would have nothing to stand on

3-Kool Keith: No again don’t get me wrong, I love Ultra Magnetic and I use to hang with Keith in the Latin Quarter and have been to the crib. When he went left and started with the Black Elvis/Doctor Octogon records, the backpack community and the underground embraced him for his eclectic style and manner. This does not make him an emcee, it only makes him kinda bugged out and different. Nowhere does he ever convey a thought that makes true sense in the context of his records. He is a showman without question so the Em in the cee, gives him some love, but he is not an emcee you go around quoting and many people and caught in the hype

4-EPMD: Eric Sermon and Parrish Smith, know to the world as EPMD made some great records. It is easy to say that they made one of the best albums of all time, Strictly Business. They came out at a time when Rakim had come from Long Island and put a spotlight on those artist from out there. Eric and Parrish always sounded like a broke version of Rakim with Eric using Rakim’s flow and Parrish using Rakim’s hardness. Many people love EPMD and they should love them for their songs and not for their rhymes, which are hard to remember with out the music underneath them.

5-Young Jeezy: I hear so many people talk about Jeezy as this great emcee, especially young hustlers in the game, who relate to his success without him leaving the trap. Here is a secret for you that you might not know all you Jeezy fans. HE DOESN”T EVEN CONSIDER HIMSELF AND EMCEE AND HE DOESN’T CARE. Check the interview I did with him on our you tube channel www.youtube.com/serchlitemusic and see for yourself. How can someone be considered a great emcee when they themselves don’t care about being one.

6-Q-Tip: There are a lot of fans of ATCQ but we love the music they made and the songs they made. Q-Tip is a mad simple emcee, and his flow was always on point and his rhymes were always flwoing with the track, but you could never see TIP being this lyrical miracle that many put him up there to be. I love Tribe but I could not see any of TIP’S verses being said without you thinking about the track underneath them. A great emcee makes you forget the track and focus on his words and TIP ain’t the one.

7-RZA: Again I love the Wu, but RZA rhymes were always real bugged and unnecessary. He got some shine on the Gravediggaz album, but his Bobby Digital album was not a record you listened to because of his lyrical ability, but his production skills.

8-Guru-Gang Starr: I love this dude as a person as well, but without primo’s beats, he is just an ordinary rapper, not even an emcee, Primo made him an emcee

9-Supernatural: This is one of the greatest of-the-head- emcees there has ever been, but he cannot write. He get his props for his battle skills tho and I would not want to battle him, well…maybe?

10- Prime Minister Pete Nice-3rd Bass: LMAO!!! I am kidding, that is my dude for life and a hell of an emcee.

What’s your opinion, I’d like to know
Serch

Slaughter House (Real Emcee's)

Yo....do you enjoy real emcee's displaying their skills? If so I highly recommend you check out "slaughterhouse", one of the dopest posse cuts of 2008 featuring Royce Da 5'9",Joell Ortiz,Joe Budden,Crooked I,and Nino Bless.Peep it out and get back to me and let me know what you think.

-----Renegade Rich

The Victorious Notorious

No doubt when a conversation sparks inside a group of hip-hop heads, and the topic is the greatest of all time (G.O.A.T.) usually 9 times out of 10 two names come up, Tupac and Biggie. For me it’s a no brainer, the one and only Notorious B.I.G., And with his bio pic coming out very soon (jan.16) he’s been on my mind and on my play list a lot more than usual, and im not here to get into any great debate on the Tupac and Biggie thing, because I am well aware of tupac’s lyrical ability and social conscience instead I would like to think back a bit in time.
I couldn’t tell you the first time I heard rap let alone what song it was, but I can tell you the first time I heard “Juicy”, it was something about his flow and delivery that struck me in the heart, as if all these other rappers were writing rhymes and reciting them in the booth where as Big had them trapped inside and only chose to let them out when he felt necessary. I could sit and write all day about Big and the influence he had on me and the whole hip hop game, but the reasoning of me being here is to put you on game on one of the hottest biggie verses of all time off of the song “Victory” which was featured on Diddy’s debut album “Puff Daddy and the family”, if it’s been awhile since you’ve heard this song I highly recommend you take a listen and if you’ve never heard this song before you better have a good damn excuse, with lyrics like “Round mic’s I perform like mike, anyone Tyson, Jordan, Jackson, Action” and “Fantastic graphic tryna to make dough, like Jurassic park did nigga spark kid’s who start shit” paired with his heartfelt delivery and the oh so nicely used Rocky sample on the beat, this made this one of my favorite songs of all time. Now as I stated earlier I am well aware of Tupac’s lyrical capabilities but that is not why im here at the moment, but you are more than welcome to discuss and debate through the comments page, which Serch, J.Rollemswol, and myself will be checkin regularly. I thank you again for taking your time to read this and will be back very soon for more (NOTORIOUS IN THEATRES JANUARY 16TH)

--------RENEGADE RICH

EXCLUSIVE KERI HILSON & LIL WAYNE "Turn Off"

What Up What Up...got an exclusive for the ladies...Weezy F's verse is pretty dope. Verdict is this is definitely a banger for the ladies though. Polow Tha Don produced the track, so you already know the beat is goin'. Pretty dope commercial track...I'm convinced Young Stunna can jump on a track with who-the-fuck-ever, and add a little something to it. Seeing as how this is a spot for "heads" what is your opinion on Lil Wayne lyricism? Does he stand the test of time, or do you think he is just WHACK? I personally am a fan of Weezy, and I might add he gives a hell of a live performance. His career has spanned a decade, and he shows steady improvement. Keri Hilson is also a diamond in the ruff. I think she has a very promising career.

-100
J.RollemSwol
www.rollemswol.com

Where's Royce?

We all hold our personal views and opinions when it comes to our music, and after reading Serch's blog pertaining to the most slept on artists of all time I could only wince in horror to find that one of my all time favorite artists did not make the cut. (No Worries Serch!!) When you come from a city such as Detroit you can expect a couple of things when Hip-Hop is the topic of discussion, such as 1.Eminem is from Detroit 2.Eminem is from 8 mile 3.Eminem lives in Detroit....are we seeing a pattern yet? Let us go back to a simpler time before the rap olympics that made Em famous, before D12 had reunited,before we lost Proof and Dilla,when Eminem was a young and hungry Emcee with an equally talented and hungry partner in rhyme by the name of Royce Da 5'9". These two Emcees not only formed a friendship and bond but also a little known group by the name of "Bad Meets Evil" which had a number of great tracks,most notabley the song "scary movies" which was featured on the soundtrack to the film "Scary Movie",but along their trek down the road of fame problems occured (if you want the full story go rent "BEEF 2" from Blockbuster) and these two boys from the D went their seperate ways. We all know what happend to Em but for the less educated on the matter, one of the sickest Emcee's to ever grace the mic (my opinion) slipped through the cracks of the mainstream record label industry. Let us start at record number one...1. Rock city 2.0: This album showcased Nickel-Nine's versatility on a number of i-pod worthy tracks such as "It's Tuesday", "Rock City","Boom",and one of the Neptune Produced tracks "My Friend" where as this album in my opinion is very good it is not his best,now lets fast forward through a couple of mixtapes that have far too many tracks to dissect and discuss, altho I do recommend checking them out (most are available for free download @ http://www.nickelnine.com/) To Royce's Debut on the Koch label 2. Death Is Certain: this is one of my favorite 5'9" albums because on this particular album he sheds his humblness and unleashes most of his anger he has regarding the Em and Dre mishap and all the record label shit along the way. tracks on this album include "Regardless","What I Know","Throwback","T.O.D.A.Y.",and the Dj Premiere produced "Hip Hop",all of which are very dope cuts. Another album up and another album gone with little to no recognition for the Emcee from Detroit (NOT EMINEM!)but as time passed indifferences were settled and the two are now on speaking terms, Royce's short stint in jail for a D.U.I. arrest,and a large international tour brings us to 2009 and the release of the Dj Green Lantern hosted Bar Exam 2, which is the follow up to 07's Static Selektah and Dj Premiere hosted Bar Exam. This album is different from the rest, a different feel,a different sound,and most of all a different Royce.With this mixtape his sound and demeanor has changed (for the better) on these cuts you hear a man who gives a fuck less about the industry and is here to lyrically deliver for himself and his fans......by far my favorite Royce Da 5'9" album yet,and as I informed you earlier most of Nickel Nines mixtapes are available for free down load at http://www.nickelnine.com/. I thank you for the time you devoted to reading this and look forward to your views and opinions on my views and opinions,because thats what this blog is..........OPINION

-----Renegade Rich

Top ten posse cuts of all time:

What up:

    I hope this blog finds you in good health and spirits.  It seems like every song of the last 8 years is a posse cut.  does anyone make songs with just themselves on them anymore (Kudos to the underground).  When did artist get so insecure with their own skills that they needed to bring on every hot rapper in the scene to make themselves, I don't know, more credible?

    Back in the day we did posse cuts because guys were our friends.  We were bugging in the studio and one thing led to another and BAMB!, we had a song.  So in honor or those who need others,  I present the list of best posse cuts of all time.  How do you get on this list you might ask, well here are the qualifiers:

1-Beat had to be bananas

2-Emcee had to be bananas

3-Lyrics had to be B.A.N.A.N.A.S

Here is my list and in order

1-The Symphony-Juice Crew All Stars: Not only was this one of Marly Marls greatest tracks, but look at the line up: A rookie in Craig G, Masta Ace, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane.  Not only was this a killer line up but the lyrics were crazy

2-Buddy-Native Tongues-What do you get when you put Queen Latifah, Monie Love, The Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, in a room and mix it with a nuts tracks.  A classic.

3-Live at the BBQ-Main Source: Of the Classic "Breaking Atoms" LP, The song, produced by Large Professor, featured the first time the World heard Nas, Akynele, Joe Fatal, and Extra P.  THe lyrics on this still ring in my mind like I heard them yesterday and the song is almost 20 years old.  If you are not up on it then SHAME ON YOU Y.G. COP IT

4-Scenerio-A Tribe Called Quest: Tribe love putting their friends on tracks but this was not just a friendly come up.  The Leaders of The New School, with Busta Rhyme, Charlie Brown and Dinco Dee were on fire at the time with "Just Another Case of That Old P.T.A".  It was also when Busta really showed the world he was ready to be dolo.  The track, Produced by Ali Shaheed and TIP was just bugnannies. "RRRARRR RRRARR LIKE A DUNGEON DRAGON".  The remix with it's dedication and rhyme with HOOD on it was the icing on an already great cake.

5-Brooklyn's Finest-Jay Z:  the concept the Jigga and Bigga, how you figga would form a group called "The Commission" was cemented when these two emcee's first showed the world what a song with both of them on it would sound like.  Now an argument can be made that this is not a posse cut but a duet, but honestly these was no one else (MAYBE KANE) who would be able to come on that track and do the damaged they did.  "IF Faith had twins, she'd probably have two pac's, get it, Tu-Pac's"  A gem.

6-Swagger Like Us-T.I.: SO I jumped a few years ahead but this song is still going to be years ahead of it's time.  Here is the line up that ten years, no twenty years, from now we will still be shaking our mic's at: T.I., Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and oh yea, JAY Z.  It was four emcee's just trying to out do each other.  It was an ode to back in the day.  Who had the most skills and the biggest ego, and it was tested by the best rhymes.  it also showed what Lil Wayne is made of.  You can make your assumptions right there LOL

7-What's the difference Between Me and You-Dr. Dre: Off the Chronic 2001 this banger came equipped with lyrics from Dre, Em, X to the Z, and Snoop.  banging track, lyrics and emcee's.  not much more you could ask for right there.

8-All about the Benjamins's: Puff Daddy:  I know what you are thinking, and most of you are probably right, but you can't knock that record.  It still bangs and is one of the few times in history that a female held her own on a posse cut (Kudos the Lil Kim).  Plus I am a lox fan for life so Sheik Louch will always get love from me.  This is one of my favorite songs of all time, I don't care what anybody thinks

9-Triumph-Wu Tang: Many thought that after the succes that they all had as solo artists that the Wu Klan would never re-assemble.  It took almost two years but when this came out it gave everyone what they were looking for.  Killer beat by Rza, and lyrics to go from the brothers of Staten Island.  They were never the same after this track

10-I leave it up to you.  fill in the blank

Serch  

Eminem Leaks New Single "Crack A Bottle"

An exclusive leak has hit the internet, and pop stations around the country ringin'!!! Shady/Aftermath released the single "Crack A Bottle" from the upcoming Eminem album RELAPSE. Now seeing how this IS the Hip Hop Critic blogspot, sit back and catch how we feel. I am mos def an Em fan, but I hate Em's singles. They are extremely obnoxious, but catchy. I had much higher hopes for higher quality lyrical content from the sleeping giant Dr., but just hearing from Dre is enough I guess. I really hope the (very) long awaited RELAPSE makes up in album filler like prior (pre-Encore) Em albums have. Hip Hop heads are craving what Em has failed to deliver in years....Slim Shady. The sing-songish hooks, and wack melodies are in desperate need of a Royce 5'9/Slim Shady reunion. WAIT A MINUTE...thats an idea....Bad vs. Evil 09 style. Somebody tell Nickel Nine to quit ghostin' for Diddy, and shoot to Cali to rhyme with Slim. Hopefully the lack of monetary starvation hasn't hit the lyrical juggernaut's camp.
-100
J.RollemSwol
Serchlite Music
www.rollemswol.com

The top ten most overlook emcee of all time

Greetings:

    I hope this blog finds you in good health and spirits.  I am glad you are here with us at Hip Hop Critic, another mission of Serchlite MultiMedia.  I have seen the growth and the discussion on many of my blogs from you all who love this culture and still are fascinated to talk about it like we were on the corner, beer and blunt in hand, arguing the finer points of this music that we carry into the grave.  Who is the best of all time, what albums are the best of all time, which groups and so on.  This blog will definitely bring to focus a lot of music, no doubt, new and old.  Young and established.  We have some very dedicated lovers of this music who are here to pick apart the songs we know, and want to know.  Hold them up for inspection, before we burn them and play them in our cars and take them to our hearts.

I wanted my first installment in Hip Hop critic to be one that is overlooked most of the time.  The great emcee's that captured our hearts for a split second, or a year, and then faded away. Then as if our of the sky we hear a record they did and wonder why more people are not up on him/her?  We call friends and ask, "Yo, do you remember so-and-so" and the conversation begins.  I want to start with a list that we should not only want to discuss and argus, but one that should bring us some great memories and fond moments in our coming up in this culture, be it hip hop or pop, and have us fiend for some examples

This is my list, and again this is my personal opinion and not fact, who I believe are the most slept on, overlooked emcee's of all time

1-Grand Puba Maxwell-Brand Nubians: many don't remember but few will when Grand Puba on arrival singing songs for survival, made his first impact in hip hop as early as 1986 with his first group, Masters of Ceremony.  Puba, Dr. Who and Don Barron had some great records and some very memorable line in New York back in the day, I mean if a burnout like me can still remember lyrics from an M.O.C. song like "Cracked Out" then you know that it must have been the business. The group disbanded and then Puba showed up again, this time with Sadat and Lord Jamal as Brand Nubian and put oout the classic "One for All".  His then went solo, moving units of records and tommy Hilfiger gear along the way, making stops on records by Mary J Blige and Heavy D.  He was on the cusp and then fell off. Many believe that his fall is due to his very ladi back attitude which came across as indignant.  There are stories of him holding studios up for three days waiting for him to drop a vers and costing the label and his crew thousands of dollars while he was uptown pushing a Range.  Grand Puba has some of the freshest lines of all time, and if you don't know you need to find out

2-O.C.-Solo Artists, originally down with Organized Konfusion- Omar Cradle, know to many as O.C, came to the game as a guest on the hip hop classic "Fudge Pudge" by Organied Konfusion.  When O.C's verse came on the whole record changed.  As strong as Prince Po and Pharoh Monch were, O.C took their shine on their own record and make a pledge to the hip hop world that he was here to make a play for the crown. A humble dude who played point guard and went to plumbing school, OC made his first album "Word...Life" on Wild Pitch in 1994.  his first record off that album was called "Time's UP" a full frontal attack on any emcee who thought that they had a lane.  his first few lines are still goose bumpers to those in the know today: "You lack the minerals and vitamins/Iron and the Niacin/Fuck who that I offend/rapper sit down Imma to begin about/the foul stuff you talk/never ever walked the walk/more,less destined to be tested/never been arrested.  Every song on Word...Life is a classic. From "Born to Live" to "No main Topic".  Do this day, if you really want to set off an old school party (Shout out to tony Touch and Mister Cee) you put on "time's up". It's the record that makes you go "OOOOOOOHHHHHHHH" when the first beat drops and you wait to hear O.C's dark and musty voice.  My true regrt in this game is not being the executive I needed to be to make this record and his career the classic it should have been.  The only thing I can do now is make you aware today.

3-Big L-(RIP) This uptown emcee hit the street hard with a tongue that resembled a cross between Lord Finesse and Showbiz and A.G.  His "Ebonics record" is one of those songs that is so simple you wish you wrote it, but so complex you know you could not.  He early demise stopped him from being Harlem true king.  

4-Lord Finesse-this Bronx emcee was one of, if not the first, to really rhyme the last two words or every line, as most emcee's just were able to rhyme the last word.  His flow was buttery smooth and his album is a true gem if you cop it.  You can see the influence he had on rappers like Pig Pun, Fat Joe, and Biggie

5-Big Boi-OutKast- I gotta give T.I. a shout on this one, for he really won me over in an argument we had about this very topic.  Ass much as the focus has been on Andre 3000, Big always had that verse and that line that stuck with you.  When an Outkast record went way left like "Bomb's over Bagdad" Big BOi kept in street and put you on a level of understanding.  Even in his very pop record "I Like the way you move" he kept it so real right from the jump: Never relaxing, OutKast is everlastin/not clashing/not at all/see my ni%%a went to do a little actin/that's for anyone askin....He keeps it real and we keep him under wraps.  He should be mentioned in many peoples top ten emcee's of all time

6-Ill Bill-Non-Phixion-BIlly Bronstien from Brooklyn is a big dude, with the lyrics to match.  Just before then was an eminem, this dude was killing clubs in the BK with lyrics that made most people want to hide their kids.  he was aggravated, disgruntled, honest, with killer delivery and flow.  His record "I shot Reagan" or his work with his group Non-Phixion whether it is "Black Helicopters" is the reason that the underground is what it is.  He is no nonsense, unapologetic, and so bitten that he arms have teeth marks.  There are so many emcee's that have taken task to his raps that he should have publishing on a lot of music right now.  Thank G-d for the net so you can find out for yourself.

7-Large Professor-Main Source: Many do not front on his production skills, but the dude could write a song.  LP really had the most simple and straight forward way of rapping that it sounded like he was merely stating the fact over tracks, but he was spitting nothing but gems.  His last foray on a major label "I just wanna Chill" was so looked forward to that there was no way it could have lived up to the hype surrounding that album and I think that plagued Extra P.  If you have not heard "Watch Roger Do His Thing" or "A Friendly Game of baseball" you are missing out on some of the most creative Hip Hop ever written

8-Pharaoh Monch-His last album has so many jewels on it that Debeers should accuse his him of grand theft.  Everything that this dude says is so brilliant and smart and hard hitting that we forget that even in his breathed controlled flows, that he fight for air with an extreme case of Asthma.  Maybe that is why I give him so much props and I wish that other would as well

9-Kool G Rap: Is it just me or does this guys get overlooked more than any other emcee to come out of the Juice Crew?  G rap invented Gangsta Rap, period.  Everything the dude says is well thought out and connects to your central nervous system giving you that explosion of lyrical enjoyment that you crave form this music.  Even his last record released last year, is a lyrical gem laid over some iffy tracks

10-I will let you decide.... Lets start the conversation

Serch

Hip Hop Critic Introduction

World...What's good? Hopefully your response, seeing how it's a new year is "It's All Good". With the New Year comes many new things from us here in the Serchlite camp. The first being The Hip Hop Critic BlogSpot. We strive to bring you the freshest, and dopest Hip Hop Culture info to date. We provide an outlet for you to source any, and everything related to Hip Hop Culture stemming from the Five Elements Of Hip Hop. In case you are unaware of what I speak of, please allow me to enlighten you. The elements are as follows : MCin', DJin', Graffiti, Beat Boxing, and Breaking. Hip Hop Critic is a spot for real heads to kick knowledge about this culture we've all grown accustomed too. It's a new year with monumental changes. Let's make history people.
-100
J.RollemSwol
Serchlite Music
RollemSwol Clothing