This is dope..Tupac could seriously come back and be his own impersonator as much as people say they see him.

I was recently sharing my discography with someone and when I mentioned my album “Free Spirit of a Troubled Soul” the person I was talking to responded “Wow, that’s a long album title, I remember the days when the names of albums were just one or two words.” This inspired me to do a little research to see how many albums I could find that had even longer titles. Here is just some of what I found in my own collection and online:

It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back

Topping the list with a ten-word album title is Public Enemy’s “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back.” This is the second album they released in 1988 on Def Jam. The most popular track from the album being Don’t Believe The Hype. No matter what they release “Fight The Power” will always be my favorite!  

The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech…Just Watch What You Say

In second is Ice-T’s “The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech…Just Watch What You Say” that was released in 1989. I never heard any of this release but plan on checking it out. According to Wikipedia it has “an uncharacteristically gritty sound, featuring some of the darkest musical scores Ice-T has ever released.” That’s all I needed to read to pick this joint up.

Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told

Another work I have to add to my collection is “Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told.” This is the third album by Snoop Dogg, his first for No Limit Records. I have yet to hear this album, probably because I was puzzled by the label switch..not the switch in general, the label pick. Snoop and No Limit just didnt sound like a happy union to me.

People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm

“People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm” is the debut album by one if not my favorite hip hop groups A Tribe Called Quest. Released in April of 1990, my favorite track would have to be probably the most memorable one as well, Bonita Applebum.

The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory

Damn, what can be said about the Makaveli album that hasnt already been stated… a dope work by one of the most influential hip-hop artists of all time. I remember sitting in the parking lot of a Burger King about to eat lunch when I heard the news on the radio about Pac’s death. RIP

The Last of a Dying Breed

Scarface has always been one of my favorite artists/producers. He has a distinctive voice and flow and crafts great beats. “The Last of a Dying Breed” is his sixth solo album.

On the Outside Looking In

I don’t actually own this album…yet, but in conducting my research I noticed that it did pretty well when it was released. The title of this work is not as long as the others – but still relatively long. “On the Outside Looking In” is the 1994 album by Eightball & MJG released on Suave House Records.

Mama Said Knock You Out

Mama Said Knock You Out is the fourth album by hip-hop artist LL Cool J. According to Wikipedia, this album “was released in 1990, after the critically disappointing Walking with a Panther in 1989.” Damn critically…? My favorite joints from this work is Around The Way Girl and The Boomin’ System.

Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em

Dudes can front on Hammer now if they want, but in the early 90s most of these cats talking foul about him now wanted to be him. “Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em” is the third and most popular that he released.

Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik

I remember when Outkast first came out, their sound was distinctive and they represented the future of southern hip-hop music. I was inspired and felt proud to rock their joints on the bus to school. The title of this album is not long in words, but long because of its unique spelling.

No need for a long intro to this – you cant say you love A Tribe Called Quest, Common, The Pharcyde, Busta Rhymes, Erykah Badu and more without loving Dilla.

Watch the actual documentary in its entirey here: “J.Dilla: Still Shining”

Another dope peice that I was referred to…

Though it seems the larger discussion in this video was regarding Islam and its influence on hip-hop, in this slice of it Wise Intelligent speaks on issues regarding black youth, the direction of the culture, politics and more:

For the most part, I agree with what he says but even in his points I sense that he is shifting all or most of the blame onto the system without pointing out the fact that despite the state of hip-hop, we as muscians, artists, producers and listeners still have minds of our own. We can still say “no” to creating, promoting and listening to music that further brings the culture and our people down.

Yes, the government and corporate America had and still have control over what we hear and watch – that doesnt mean that hip-hop must remain negative. Like Wise said, what person from the projects is going to turn down several thousand dollars to write a song about murder and hoes? Where do you draw the line between entertainment and coonery? Does peer pressure dictate what you listen to? (i.e. You dont listen to Artist A? You’re wack) How much is the soul of a people worth?

I wrote about this before; its a joint issue. On one side you have the media and what they allow to be aired and on the other side you have simple parenting or guidance from a parental figure and what they allow their children or people they care about to see and hear. We are and have been contiunally conditioned to enjoy the garbage thats considered hip-hop on the radio and television. Our since of value is at an all time low. As Wise stated, our self-esteem and pride is at an all time low.

I understand that in poverty stricken areas the guidance I referred to previously is lacking. This is why this area is targeted. These are the primary people who corporate America studies and markets to. The system doesnt go after the strong in mind, they go after the weak, the misled, those with no sense of their self worth. This is why it begins when you are fresh from the womb, toddlers, etc – they grab you before you have time to learn who you are and what you deserve as a human in our society. Until we come up with a solution or improve some of the our previous attempts this trend will continue.

Most of the hip-hop community got the news yesterday about the passing of legendary emcee G.U.R.U, which stood for Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal. Sources say he died of cancer. My prayers go out to his family and friends. Part of the reason why I do hip-hop is because of the music he and DJ Premier created together in the group Gang Starr. I can admit that when they split I really didnt follow his other efforts with the exception of the first few Jazzmatazz albums. I guess I was in a rebellious state as I felt that Gang Starr, like some other groups should have stayed together. At any rate, I have always respected their craft and what they brought to hip-hop. I paid homage to them both a couple years ago on The Pull Forward EP Vol. 2 by giving my listeners Everyday Real, my own version of their classic Moment of Truth track. Rest in peace to the homie, long live his music.

Guru (Keith Elam) July 17, 1962?–April 19, 2010

Gang Starr “Moment of Truth”

While doing my regular research of hip-hop history, I thought it would be good to start posting some random facts that I find on the site – just quick and simple paragraphs about something hip-hop related. Enjoy!

• While in the group Leaders of the New School, Busta Rhymes & Charlie Brown were given their stage names by Chuck D. LONS got their start touring with Public Enemy. 

Is it me or does Dinco D favor Dave Chappelle?

• Rapper YZ, the man behind the popular 90′s track “Return of the Holy One” is responsible for discovering popular hip-hop acts Poor Righteous Teachers and Mos Def. Word is he is currently a “broker” for Stic.Man of dead prez. (Its good to see a golden era hip-hop artist maneuver into the business side of the game and staying relevant in that aspect. I read that he also has a new album out featuring Brother Ali, Slug and some others.)

• West coast hip-hop artist and producer DJ Quik is credited for mixing half of Tupac‘s All Eyez on Me album. In 2002, Quik produced Truth Hurts‘ banger “Addictive”. He used an uncleared Hindi sample on the song and eventually caused a lawsuit to be filed agaist Truth Hurts’ label, Aftermath Entertainment (Dr. Dre’s label). (I wonder if this is part the reason we havent seen or heard anything about Truth Hurts since?) Word is he has started his own label since then.

• Rapper Kool Moe Dee has a degree in Communication and also authored a book titled “There’s A God On The Mic” in which in the book he lists his top 50 emcees. He places himself at #5 on the list and his rivarly LL Cool J at #7. (Its kind of ironic to hear about Moe Dee’s list because Lagbara, TrueBless and I were just discussing people’s top list of emcees and how there is really no easy and concise way to develop a collection of talents from different eras and say who is better. In Kool Moe Dee’s case, how can you put yourself on your own list? lol) Side note: could the beef between Kool Moe Dee and LL Cool J be because they both have a form of “Cool” in their name? *shrugs shoulders*