UGK f/ Outkast – “International Players Anthem”
from Underground Kingz (Jive, 2007)

Outkast f/ UGK – “Tough Guys”
from Shaft Soundtrack (Arista, 2000)

Project Pat – “Choose U”
from Layin’ The Smack Down (Loud, 2002)

So I can think of a half dozen tracks on the once again delayed UGK record (May 8th!?) where a pair of phoned in Kast verses would better fit, in both an aesthetic and thematic sense. For one thing I’ve never heard either of those guys rap over a Pimp C beat and I imagine it would be a near perfect fit since ONP went AWOL (if we’re armchair A&Ring Ten The Hard Way, I wouldn’t mind production split between the two, but I’m just saying). Still I guess it wasn’t meant to be, and what was once a recycled Three Six Mafia beat from a five year old Project Pat record (don’t Kingz deserve better?) suddenly becomes an “event” record. At least Pat got a drop from the mack himself.

What I’ve come to call Big Boi syndrome is in full effect here. Since Outkast became the biggest rap group in the world, the poet the playa/poet paradigm has shifted, with Andre becoming the center of the Kast universe. When Andre does wrong Outkast is overlooked, when Andre does good Big is overlooked. Even now the fruit flies are abuzz with Andre solo album talk. Can’t we just get a (real) last Outkast album? Both of these guys can rap circles around your favorite rapper and when they rap together it only makes them stronger. Big damn near steals the show on “International Players Anthem,” but Dre is the only person anybody’s going to be talking about. It’s annoying when Andre spits over a drum-less beat (oxymoron?) so he can run roughshot with his flow for an entire verse (although it’s a trick that a rapper like Kweli could probably be wise to pick up). Though I’d rather that than the infamously awkward Put my glock away I got a stronger weapon that never runs out of ammunition so i’m ready for war ok run on that remains the only blemish on the otherwise perfect ATLiens.

It’s not the first UGK/Outkast collab either – “Tough Guy” from the Shaft soundtrack seemed more organic than designed, seeped in Stankonia era electro funk and featuring a massive Bun verse.

Still, all things considered, “IPA” is a fucking UGK & Outkast record. Which means it’s better than just about everything in the universe.

EDIT: Art of Storytelling Pt. 4?!? (did I miss 3?): In the Grand Hustle studio, Dram shares a big City of Brotherly Love smile with fellow Philadelphia native DJ Sense, his manager and business partner. He plays “Art of Storytelling 4,” featuring Outkast and Floetry’s Marsha Ambrosius, a definite highlight from the official Gangsta Grillz LP. Although they’ve played the record a thousand times over the past couple of months, it sounds just as fresh as if they had recorded it yesterday. When you hear Andre 3000’s leadoff narrative verse, you almost want to pray that his rhyme never ends. They also quote the verse but I’m not trying to ruin it.

And this song has really grown on me since I wrote this post. It may even be better than “Watch My Feet.” Nah, the only thing that could possibly be better than “Watch My Feet” would be a “Watch My Feet” remix feeturing Andre 3000.

I don’t care what you haters say, “Watch My Feet” is better than “The Message.”

“Suga Dooga” – New Cam’ron produced by Lil’ Fame of MOP. Fizzy’s still got it as far as the beat goes, but Cam is predictably apathetic, though he does has his moments (namely requesting the listener to “google me”). One has to wonder the effect this will have on the G-Unit/Dips beef, but I get the idea that MOP are barely on G-Unit anyway.

Killer Mike and Big Boi Beefing – …and the Dungeon legacy continues to tarnish. Why must I cry?

Somebody stop Timbaland before he kills again.

Which “concious rapper” reduced to tears after being slapped by a chick at a G-Unit party?? Might his name start with a “T” and end with an “alib Kweli”? I don’t usually play into this gossip business too often, but this rumor strikes me as particularly hilarious, though likely exaggerated.

Screwed In Houston VBS.tv takes a look at the H-Town rap scene, perhaps most notable for it’s extensive coverage of the all too over looked South Park Coalition.

I hope Dustin Glick of Cracked magazine didn’t strain too many brain cells putting his somewhat accurate but painfully unfunny 25 Worst Rapper Names of All Time I get the feeling dude never actually listened to these records. Devin The Dude is a perfectly understated name indicative of his style. And Tity Boy was a severe oversight.

And speaking of charts, I wish I had the time and energy to fight with Henry Adaso about his Top 50 MCs OF OUR TIME list.

Original CB Post