Here we are again. Wednesday. That teasing little bitch. I woke up late on this Wednesday, as I do on most Wednesdays. To be honest, I wake up late on most days. As long as I’m being honest, I have no idea what I’m writing this for. I’m just trying to take up a little word count because my job requires that I write about things that are of absolutely no interest to me. Would you like to know what does interest me?

Basketball. Pizza that’s too hot for me to eat. Women that are way too hot for me to eat. Video games. Writing. Comedy. Booze. The color purple. True Detective.

But most of all, I love the weekend.

We’re a little more than halfway to the weekend. So close, yet so far. How will we make it? What will calm our restless souls until our fair-haired maiden Friday makes her arrival? We’ll listen to music. AWESOME music. God, this is so lame.

This week’s playlist is an exciting one. We’ve got lots of trap, as per usual. There’s some tasty-ass house music, a little bit of hip hop, a little bit of pop and even some chopped and screwed Kanye. There’s also a track in here that’s 9 months old (Cherry Pepsi) but I liked it so much that I had to include it.

If you don’t like it, write me an angry letter or something.

LET’S GO!

https://soundcloud.com/bigrichard-1/sets/big-richs-muhfuggin-mid-week

The post Big Rich’s Muhfuggin Mid-Week Mix Vol. 3 appeared first on Just Noise To Me.

I didn’t get a chance to watch the Grammys (woe is me), but I did have the absolute pleasure to read about them on the internet. And what a pleasure it was.

In the interest of full disclosure, I too contributed to the explosion of similarly lame opinions that filled our social feeds at an incalculable rate. I was pissed off that Macklemore beat out Kendrick Lamar for any Grammy award, never mind four of them. Oh my god. It’s like Michael Jordan losing four game-sevens in a row. It’s like Peyton Manning throwing four picks on four straight drives. HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN TO US, KENDRICK? WHAT DID WE DO WRONG? WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

I was truly upset that a big panel of people who don’t listen to the same music that I do didn’t give a gold statue to my favorite rapper.

But in retrospect, what’s really surprising about a decision like this? For one, the Grammys have never been about defining genre. Regardless of what you think, or how you feel about the subtleties of Mackelmore’s music, it’s been defined as hip hop. That just is what it is. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are the first duo to ever have their first two singles reach the number one spot in the Hot 100. Macklemore is the first independent artist since 1994 to have their song go to number one. The song below is the last time that happened.

Macklemore won those Grammys last night for a lot of the reasons you’ve already heard, but mainly because it’s a great narrative. People love a great story, and every organization wants to make great stories. The Grammys are no different. Plus, let’s be honest. With the folks who are voting on these awards, what did you expect? Steely Dan beat out Radiohead, Eminem and Beck for best album in 2001. What a messed up year that was.

I’m not going to go into the details, but it’s plainly obvious that Grammy voters are exerting a large influence in categories where they really aren’t experts. It’s such a travesty, I know. (/s) Yeah, I really wanted Kendrick to win because he sure as hell deserves it, but like I said — the narrative is undeniable for both of them. Kendrick will get his; no doubt about that. GKMC may be a masterpiece, but The Heist isn’t exactly garbage. We’ll get over it. Kendrick will get over it. We all will.

But since all this has gone down, one thing has become truly apparent. There is a sect of hip hop fans who couldn’t be more eager to distance themselves from Macklemore. There couldn’t possibly be any more of an effort from this group to make it apparent that Mackelmore is absolutely NOT a part of the hip hop culture. It’s more feverish and desperate than A-Rod trying to distance himself from his alleged steroid use. So panicked. So desperate.

So what is it exactly that’s so threatening about Macklemore? For one, it’s that he’s white. There is no doubt about that. If it’s fair to infer that one of the reasons Macklemore won all of those Grammys is because he’s white, is it so outlandish to believe that maybe some of the hate towards him is also because he’s a white man finding success in hip hop who doesn’t rap about traditional hip hop things (a-la Eminem, Action Bronson and Mac Miller)? No, it’s not outlandish, because it’s stated plainly.

The top bubble in the above image is an actual message that Macklemore sent to Kendrick Lamar after the Grammys. The bottom bubble is the viral brainchild of somebody I feel inclined to say not-so-nice things about; it was shopped in to show just how important it was to hip hop for a panel of old white people to affirm their musical taste.

Honestly, that’s one of the stupidest things I’ve ever read. Shame on the child who wrote it. This Spin article really worked me up, too. Same with this New York Times article. Let’s not all act as if hip hop is a bastion of cultural pride and honor. Give me a break. I’ll listen to hip-hop until the day I die, but this posturing and moral grandstanding as if Macklemore stole something from the community because he pursued his passion (independently of a label, mind you) and achieved is a gigantic joke.

Exactly what is it that would have made the detractors happy? Should Macklemore have fought tooth and nail for his music to be re-categorized into a different genre? Should he have pursued another profession for the sole cause of not offending hip hop purists? The Spin article I linked to calls out Macklemore for Instagramming his “apology” to K.Dot, bitterly stating that it was only “because every magnanimous stance this guy takes must go public.” What a hypocritical and elitist stance to take.

As if media reports or the musing of artists or the general public aren’t subject to a response from the subject of such great disdain — as if the freedom to express an opinion is a one way street. What the hell is Mack supposed to do? He can sit there on his thumbs as he gets blasted by hip hop fans and the media (in a completely ignorant, angry and disrespectful way), or he can do something to show people that he understands that they might be pissed off by what just happened, and that he identifies with what they’re feeling. WOW, HOW NARCISSISTIC OF HIS WHITE PRIVILEGED ASS. Give. Me. A. Break.

The dude is gonna get nailed no matter what. He should be allowed to defend himself without you putting words into his mouth, especially considering he’s done nothing wrong besides work his ass off for more than a decade to reach the peak of his profession. And he pretty much said what we were all thinking. We’re going to vilify him for acknowledging that? Shuuuuut up. I mean, Chris Brown gets better treatment from the same community. Apparently, beating a woman is a lesser offense than being a successful, non-traditional white man in hip hop.

One of my biggest beefs with the hip hop community is how grossly hypocritical this whole thing is. In a genre with so much filler, so much monotonous bullshit, Macklemore is really your biggest worry? I’m not even going to address the remarks accusing Mack of pushing a “Gay Agenda”. How paranoid are you? You think Macklemore is trying to turn your kids into gays? Isn’t the hip hop community the same community that wants me to believe that their aggressive, violent and misogynistic music won’t rub off on my children? How is that consistent?

Obviously, this fear stems from the Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ single, “Same Love”. Hip hop purists don’t like Mack pushing his agenda using their music as his tool for propagation. This is where we get into the one-way freedom of speech thing again. Rap music has never been a stronghold for morality. Those artists exist, but they are certainly not the majority. Are we still talking about the same genre of music that has been attacked and vilified by mainstream media for years? After listening to interview after interview with faded rappers, I always thought that hip hop was about expressing your point of view, and telling people about where your from.

Hip hop is all about its freedom of speech and saying what you feel — as long as you share all of the same opinions as hip hop. I’m not saying you have to like Macklemore, I’m not even saying you have to appreciate what he’s making. I could hardly give a damn. But to run around and act like 1) he’s pushing a “gay agenda” and 2) he’s the biggest threat to the state of hip hop is complete and total ignorance. It’s sad, and it’s desperate.

Hip hop is really self-conscious right now and there’s something very off-putting about it. From the community’s need to have Kendrick’s talent affirmed by a Grammy, to their denial and subsequent attacks of Macklemore, there is a loud group that is very committed to controlling the message — Macklemore is not hip hop.

The post Hip Hop is Afraid of Macklemore. appeared first on Just Noise To Me.

Good day, loyal readers. What a pleasure it is to meet you! My name is Richie Martin and I’m the new hip hop correspondent for JustNoiseToMe. I could spend a couple paragraphs telling you about myself, and how my beard is recognized as a sovereign nation by the UN. But instead, I’ll introduce myself in the best way I could possibly think of — with a list of my favorite hip hop albums of all time.

This list is in no way meant to be definitive or even a list of what I think are the best hip hop albums. It’s in no particular order. This is simply a list of the dozen-or-so albums I could listen to forever. However, if something on this list touches a nerve, I more than welcome your anger and bitter commentary. But I’d rather be your friend, so just keep that in mind before you start harassing me, punk.

LET’S GO.

Liquid Swords

GZA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO1Tmr5S2BQ
There had to be at least one Wu-Tang album on this list. Why Liquid Swords? It’s an honest toss up for me between 36 Chambers, Tical and Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. I picked Liquid Swords because it’s the album that got me into Wu-Tang. I remember listening to them early in my teenage years and just not getting it. Fast forward a couple years to when I started making beats just for shits ‘n gigs and something about GZA’s sound really struck a chord. But really, you could pick any of the initial albums from any member of the Clan of the Killa Beez and I wouldn’t put up a fight.

Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

Outkast

I might get a little bit of hate for this one. I really wanted to pick Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, but I was four years old when that shit came out. As much as I LOVE everything Outkast has made, my introduction to Three Stacks and Sir Lucious Leftfoot was during the peak of their popularity in the early 2000’s. This album is insanely diverse in its sound and really showcases Dre and Big Boi’s unique (and sometimes crazy) approach to the genre.

The Minstrel Show

Little Brother

Little Brother is a trio consisting of the formidable rhyming duo, Phonte and Big Pooh, with the legendary 9th Wonder handling the production. I’m not sure if there was a bigger influence for me growing up than 9th Wonder. His production is on point from beginning to end on The Minstrel Show. Te and Poo are on a mission to show you how slighted they really are by the lack of recognition they receive, with numerous lines targeted to fans and the media for their consistent recognition of played out bullshit. Regardless of the message (which was received with plenty of criticism), this album is a joy to listen to from beginning to end.

Midnight Marauders

A Tribe Called Quest

I had never dabbled much in the offerings of the Tribe until I made a trip to Rock the Bells, and got to see them perform Midnight Marauders live. It was a surreal experience. Q-Tip’s energy infected the crowd of I don’t know how many thousands of people in a way I’ve never ever fathomed to be possible. Busta Rhymes made a surprise appearance and changed my fucking life. Maybe that’s a little hyperbolic, but immediately following that weekend, I downloaded the entire Quest discography and made my peace with the hip hop gods for denying the word of ATCQ for so long.

Kush & Orange Juice

Wiz Khalifa

This is another choice that might catch me some flack. For one, yes, I know. This isn’t an album, it’s a mixtape. For two, it’s Wiz Khalifa. But again, this isn’t a definitive list of the “best” of anything. As you can tell, most of the selections so far have a story to go along with them, and Kush & OJ is no different. Its release marked what was probably the height of Wiz’s popularity and he absolutely destroyed Twitter for a solid week. This is the soundtrack to what is probably the most memorable summer of my life. If I could go back in time and listen to any album/mixtape for the first time all over again, this might be it.

Blue Chips 2

Action Bronson

I might as well get the other mixtape out of the way. Action Bronson is absolutely my favorite artist right now. He’s got fantastic taste in beats and frequently takes a chance on something you’ve definitely never heard before. He’s a laid back dude with a braggadocio as big as his appetite. Produced by fellow Brooklyn Native, Party Supplies, Blue Chips 2 is a hilarious, graphic and bold project that’s gets more and more fun with every listen. I’d like to apologize in advance for how much I’ll be writing about Action Bronson.

Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City

Kendrick Lamar

Not exactly sure what you want me to say here. I love Kendrick, I love TDE and I can’t wait to see what these guys do in 2014. If only Kendrick was as enjoyable live as he is recorded. But I digress ….

Illmatic

Nas

The first 16 bars of “Life’s a Bitch” were life affirming the first time I ever heard them. Once I learned them, they also had me convinced that I could be a rapper, too. Well, we now know I’m not a rapper. But on a lazy Saturday afternoon cruising down the highway with your windows rolled down, AZ and Nas can still manage convince me that I’m the baddest dude around, if not just for a few moments. For me, Illmatic is THE Nas album, no argument. It’s 10 tracks that perfectly sum up the glory of 90’s hip hop.

Already Platinum

Slim Thug

I’ve lived in Arizona for more than half of my life now, but Texas is and always will be home. When I really started to get into hip hop, nothing was cooler to me than the thought of rappers from MY state getting the recognition I knew they deserved. The title of Slim Thug’s first major release was a daring boast that never came to fruition, but he still managed to create a decent amount of buzz outside the Lone Star State with his syrupy slow delivery and thick Texas twang. Slim has never recaptured this sort of mainstream success, but Already Platinum is still one of my favorite listens.

Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101

Young Jeezy

Jeezy’s 2005 release brought trap music to the masses (or at least to the forefront of my mind). The song “Go Crazy” went crazy, thanks in part to a verse from Jay Z, and all of a sudden, suburban high school kids like me were disciples of ATL hip hop. Look, I can’t identify with anything Jeezy has to say, but if it sounds good, I’ll listen to it. I’ve got so many memories of driving around to this album in my best friend’s Explorer, outfitted with a couple of comically oversized subwoofers and feeling like a bad ass. As cringe-worthy as those memories might be, they’re still fun to think about. Plus, this was just a great debut album.

Murray’s Revenge

Murs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H25vfOM3SU
The only repeat contributor on this list is 9th Wonder, so if you’re not a fan, you may not be pleased. But this list isn’t about you, IS IT? Murs and 9th Wonder did a lot together, but this 2006 release has to be my favorite. The production and rhymes are on point throughout this entire album and reaches its climax with the wonderfully sampled title track. Bob James’ “Nautilus” has been sampled time and time again, but again, this is easily my favorite rendition. The song “Barbershop” is a great concept track that’s perfect for one of those days where you just got a raise, got the car cleaned, got a new pair of kicks on and of course, a fresh new haircut.

Hate any of my selections? Do we have any albums in common? Let me know! I’m excited to be here and can’t wait to hear from you. Cheers!

Honorable Mentions:
The Infamous – Mobb Deep
Doggystle – Snoop Dogg
Diplomatic Immunity 2 – The Diplomats
Uptown Saturday Night – Camp Lo
Ready to Die – The Notorious B.I.G.
Be – Common
Real Talk – Fabolous

The post Say “Hi” to your New Hip Hop Correspondent. appeared first on Just Noise To Me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNubM6BoQXg

Michigan has long been a mecca for breading brilliant musicians and is no exception when referring to up and coming hip hop artist Christian Deon. Growing up in Grand Rapids, the artist known as “Vee” pays homage to his childhood for his humble beginnings that have lead to his rising stardom.

“I got my start back home, in Gun Ru [is] what we call it. Just in the neighborhood and within my family hip-hop was and is apart of our culture so it was natural to try it ya know?”

With obvious deep roots in the East Coast rap scene, Vee looks to such iconic rappers as 2pac, Diddy, Biggie, Ma$e, Wu Tang and Outkast. Appropriately, idolizing the rap gods that paved the way, one particular instance stuck with Vee as a young boy that to this day defines his hunger for fame.

“It was actually Diddy and the family’s All About the Benjamins that let me know this was out. We was all at my auntie house back home, that video was on, it was me, my brother and my three cousins (one of which being a girl, Quita) she did lil Kim’s part. I had the last part, Biggies, I did it all through… it was just a moment, and I nailed it, the whole room erupted and every body was jumpin all over me and shit, I knew then that I could entertain, and that hip hop was for me.”

Leaving Michigan would force the young Vee to make a new life and child hood in Arizona where to this day remains the topic of discussion in a buzzing West Coast rap world. Transforming as an artist, Vee originally went simply by his last name “Dean” for a while, then “Menace” for a short stint and eventually landing his current rap name, “Vee”. Much like his name changes, each represented a current place in his life that has humbly molded his hip hop state of mind.

“I put out lil mix-tapes consistently, had a bullshit mic duck taped to a closet, awooden pole that you put hangers on. And that was duck taped to the wall… with red rag over it. (Woop) I started doing local shows around the PHX area, it was a hit and I had everyone there and ppl loved to see me perform. Through those times it’s so wild you believe making it is around the corner, but then comes THE GRIND…”

When recently asked about the story behind his name (Vee), it was clear that self proclaimed perfection was far from the truth. Unlike the many cliche rap names in industry, a jury of his peers dubbed him with a name carrying more weight than any “Lil” or “Young” could justify.

“My name means Visionary. It was given to me by homies who always used to ask me what was gonna happen next, I just always had a low sense of future telling. Maybe its just as simple as… I make happen what I want to happen, or maybe I’m just better then Cleo Idk.”

 

2013 has been no short work for Vee as he is soon to release a mix-tape hosted by renowned Bootlegkev titled “Rula” and a single featuring underground hype Problem called “Good Good”. Recently released songs “Ever”, “The Dark”, “Body Count” and the YouTube sensation “Bag of Purp” have been killing charts and filling headphones world wide.  With a hustler’s mentality, its no wonder why Vee still makes noise in Arizona’s hip hop community. Seen chillin with the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Problem, the Michigan native is rap’s most unique combination of East coast roots and West coast heat that demands attention in each well placed lyric.

Holler at the young’n on his rise, Vee is open to connect and chat with fans, the movement is real… get with it.

Twitter- @veetharula

Instagram- veetharula

Youtube- Veemovement

The post Artist Spotlight: Vee appeared first on Just Noise To Me.

“Something Else” bares the lucky number 13 studio recorded album and does so with infamous Strange Music fashion. The N9ne is no stranger to the absurd when it comes to his immense thought process in each word of each verse and even the track layout on this album as he strategically split the album into three portions he calls ” Earth, Water and Fire”.

“The album is everywhere. It feels like it’s Hell, Purgatory and Heaven all over again. I’m telling stories that I’ve never told – that I was afraid to tell on some songs. It’s super personal and I’ve got a big chip on my shoulder again. It’s always been there, but it’s getting bigger having to prove to fans and critics that we ain’t goin’ nowhere.”- Tech N9ne 

With love of the hip hop underworld and intriguing up-and-coming rap artists, Tech never forgets his Strange Music roots and often throws worthy artists a bone to help him crush beats on select tracks. The “Red Head Wonder” features many artists from his Strange Music record label that supply equally enjoyable and obscure lyrics including artists Big Scoob, Ces Cru, Krizz Kaliko, Mayday, Rittz and Stevie Stone. The already buzz worthy song “So Dope (They Wanna)” features underground names even less well known such as Snow tha Product, Twisted Insane and Wrekonize.

Tech and producers are in no dyer need for mainstream hype and famously smash the competition at every freestyle Cypher, record release and guest appearance they attend. However, when you hold the crown of the underground and massive following Tech N9ne does; why not throw the public unexpected curve balls?

“The beats sound nothing like anything you’ve ever heard me on. The features that I’m going for are something you would never imagine… It’s so beautiful because the King, the Clown, and the G are still present on this album. There’s no apologies in what I’m saying. I don’t mind that it contradicts itself because that’s what people do.”- Tech N9ne

Big names like B.O.B, Big K.R.I.T, Cee Lo Green, The Doors, Game, T-Pain, and Trae tha Truth are just a few guest appearances that provided both verses and hooks. Critically acclaimed and recently scrutinized Kendrick Lamar also teamed up with N9ne in the form of “Fragile” also featuring Kendall Morgan and Mayday that skyrocketed to the top of the hotnewhiphop.com charts.

The song titled, “See Me” features the unlikely trio of lyrical styles from B.O.B and hip hop icon Wiz Khalifa along side Tech. Friend and veteran of Strange Music “Kali-baby” aka Krizz Kaliko joins the N9ne on “Straight Out the Gate” that also features former System of a Down rock god Serj Tankian. The music video was quickly released after the album questions everything from government to parenting to religion and has already accrued over a million views.

It doesn’t take a face painted “Juggalo” or even a dedicated “Technician” to agree that A. Yates changed rap in his decades of rhyme mastery. Like him or not the unique combination of grimy underground and catchy mainstream in this 2013 album is why Tech N9ne truly is, “Something Else”.

The post Tech N9ne: Something Else appeared first on Just Noise To Me.