Red Cafe – “Heart & Soul” (prod. by Pete Rock)

This is basically a regional rap record about New York City. Sure that’s not a first (Busta’s “New York Shit” comes to mind) but “Heart & Soul” is notable because it’s almost completely devoid of PLACE WHERE IT WAS BORN posturing. It just talks about the city and sounds like the city the same way, say, a Houston record would. It’s a great look for NYC. I guess Jada’s “New York Minute” would also fit in the same conversation except that song picked a minute from 2002 to focus on. Pete & Red are perfectly on their 1995 shit, which is probably a better year to be trapped in. Especially if you are trying to be an advocate for New York City. (via So Many Shrimp)

Gucci Mane f/ Wooh Da Kid – “Pressure” FUCKWMG

from The Movie 2 (Mixtape, Coming Soon)

Gucci watch 2009 continues. I give this track four burrs out of five. “There once was a rapper named Gucci… and a DJ named Drama… they got together and made a movie!”

Nutt Da Kidd – “Nasty Bitch”

Nutt Da Kidd – “Magnificent“

from The Reallionaire (Mixtape, 2009)

Reallionaire, the new mixtape from (ex?) Sqad Up member P-Nutt is pretty unmemorable with a lot of budget autotune and remakes of played out recent records such. But it’s my professional obligation to point out rap nerd nods like this remake of Bust Down’s triple-x New Orleans classic “Nasty Bitch.” Nutt rides the beat okay, but falls short in the vulgarity department. Even if Nutt’s “I need brain like an intern” made sense it would pale in comparison to Bust’s “cum shooting all around the room” raps. This once again proves that the ign’ant rappers of today aren’t really seeing those of hip hop’s golden years. Nutt does get historian points for shouting out Ice Mike. And hilarity points for accusing Wayne of “eating that salami.” I guess the Sqad doesn’t exist anymore since Gutta’s still running with Young Money. I also upped Nutt’s loose remake of Special Ed’s “Magnificent”. He raps in reverse on it. Who would have thought 2009 would be the year for a Special Ed revival? If I were a rapper I would take this opportunity to make a song about how my car’s interior is a color similar to that of potato alligator souffle.

Killer Mike f/ TI – “In My City“

Mike is the last great purist. If he just raps hard enough about how his city turned gay it will one day go straight again. We heard this in demo form a while ago, but then it got even better. And by “even better” I mean “a sort of forgettable TI chorus.” Still CDQ is CDQ.

Lil Cali f/ Young Dro & Mouse – “Ric Flair“

Dro watch 2009 continues. I give this verse two and half dvd copies of Lean On Me out of five. Mouse seems to be expanding his sample palette which is a good look. Lil Cali is from Ponchatoula, LA. I’ve never heard of the city but Wikipedia reports a population of just over 5000 and declares it the “Strawberry Capitol of the World.” I am excited to put another thumbtack on my rap map.

Freeway f/ Young Chris – “All The Cities“

Another out of time east coast rap record. When/why did standup basslines become passe? Rapping about Pathmark is so real.

Havoc – “Always Have A Choice“

Produced by Clams Casino, who also laced the Lil B “I’m God”/”I’m The Devil” saga (talk about an eclectic resume). Clams is certainly finding a niche, delivering that same sort of spacious Final Fantasy soundtrack shit to the Mobb emcee. Hav spits hollow wisdom instead of rapping about murdering people, which is to say he’s pretty much useless. But inoffensively so.

Wacka Flocka Flame & Slim Dunkin – “Let’s Do It“

from Twin Towers (Mixtape, 2009)

The So Icey Boys/1017 Brick Squad is home to some of the least talented weed carriers since Hurricane G. And the talent gap between all these guys and Gucci is wider than her waistline. Still Slim’s wins with this track if only for this Dro-ish and undeniably awesome punchline: “shawty like that grandmama cream – y’all n**ga’s Be’n Gay.” I laughed out loud, or LOL’ed as the kids say.

Tags: Bust down, Freeway, Gucci Mane, Havoc, Killer Mike, Mouse, Nutt Da Kid, Red Cafe, TI, Young Chris, Young Dro

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