Then And Now: 50 Cent and Beef

Recently, I came across a song I'm really feeling at the moment called "Start It Up" by G-Unit vet Lloyd Banks which contains guest appearances by Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, Ryan Leslie, and Fabolous. While such a track at face has nothing to do with 50 Cent, it did bring about a few revelations that I feel are noteworthy in today's Hip-Hop climate. Remember the days when Fif had beef with virtually EVERYBODY and restricted himself to collaborations with just a few individuals (most of which were from his own camp?) Things have changed... quite extraordinarily.

Lloyd Banks, the right-hand man to the G-Unit ensemble, has openly collaborated with two well-known foes of 50: Kanye West and Fabolous. If you recall, 50 promised to retire from Rap if his album Curtis sold less records than Kanye's 808's and Heartbreak when both artists released their respective projects on the same date (a battle which 50 did indeed lose but proceeded to release another studio album since). Also reference the jabs 50 took at Kanye following 'Ye's release of "Love Lockdown." And pertaining to Fab, these two took swipes at each other over a Tweet of all things after Fabolous pointed out that 50 Cent's offering to a variety of artists to perform at a thisis50.com event would seem proposterous in 2005 at the height of 50's heavy involvement with beef. 50 replied by discrediting Fabolous as an artist and suggesting he would not work with him.

On to 2010. It seems as if in the past, 50's presence in Rap had a heavy influence on who G-Unit surrounded themselves by but things seem to have changed. With the recent success of Lloyd Banks's Gold-certified track "Beamer, Benz, Bentley" (which featured another foe of Fif's, Juelz Santana), Banks is exhibiting a little independence from the G-Unit head honcho. Is this just a sign of Lloyd Banks attaining more freedom to work with anyone in Hip-Hop or is this a sign that the tactics used in 50's past are just not working anymore? You be the judge.



ATM

Then And Now: Spliff Star

In case you've never heard of an MC by the name of Spliff Star, he probably has been a dominant figure in your mind when you think of most Busta Rhymes videos. I think I've only heard one other solo track from Bussa Buss's hype man prior to this one and that was a LONG time ago (peep the potential grays my dude is rockin' in the beard). Anywho, above are his most recent song entitled "Shot Ya" and a (familiar) song he was actually featured on with Busta Rhymes.

ATM

Don't Call It A Comeback: Donnell Jones

It's been 3 years since Donnell Jones dropped anything and I'm glad to announce my boi is back. True, I really can't co-sign on any of his music from this century but "U Know What's Up" featuring the late Left Eye will always be one of my favorite house party tracks. "Love Like This" is the debut single off of his 5th studio album, Lyrics, dropping September 28th.

I'm digging you, I'm feeling you
And you know what's up
Said I'm big on you and I'm wanting you
So tell me what's up

[Left Eye]

Don't let another one get near me if you wanna be true
And show me that nobody else can do it better than you
So if you serious, I'm curious to see what you get
My love is furious, cuz I believe in blowin' up spots

I know that you been dealin with these clowns that aint treating you right
Im the type of guy that dont make promises, I wanna be the love of your life

-Artemis J

Then And Now: Rich Boy/Drake Collabos

You probably peeped the title of this post and found it to be the most random thing you've seen all day. However, a Drake-Rich Boy tandem is not something that's to be taken out of the blue. For everyone who took a listen to Drake's 2008 mixtape Comeback Season, you probably looked over a guest appearance from the Mobile, AL MC on a track called "Must Hate Money." I'm not gonna front, I did the same thing. It just so happens as I was busy procrastinating at work and spending my time listening to cuts from Drake's old mixtape, I did hear this track and played it back a couple of times. I guess it was a premonition of what was to come.

hiphopdx.com just posted up a link to a new song entitled "To The Floor" featuring Rich Boy, Drake, and even Lloyd encouragin' some broad to drop it "to the floor" over a Polow Da Don beat. I was pleased by the track and hope you will be too. In all, I'm glad to see Drake doesn't just leave behind past collaborators who lend a helping hand as he hoists his title for "rookie of the year" (as he mentions in the song). Enjoy...

ATM

Then And Now: Jin

Remember the days BET's 106 & Park superceded MTV's TRL as the place to get a quality countdown (at least in the black community)? Remember the days when Friday was more than just a signal of forthcoming weekend? Remember the days when you heard about some Asian MC being inducted into "Freestyle Friday" Hall of Fame and getting a record deal with the Ruff Ryders and dropping a single that featured Wyclef Jean? Remember Jin?

In case you don't know about the brief stint Jin spent in the Rap game trying to prove himself to the countless doubters/haters out there (mind you, this was before the days of blogging), it goes a lil' something like this: stand-out rapper gets his 15 minutes of fame on cable television, gets a record deal, drops a lackluster album, receives a lot of criticism, attempts to roll with the punches, and subsequently falls off the face of the Earth.

Well, apparently Jin is back. Now that independent music seems to be the way to go for MCs (veterans and newcomers alike), it only makes sense. Above is his new single "Angels Freestyle" off of his upcoming mixtape Say Something. Below that is a song you probably never heard before. And yes, it DOES feature the Mr. Kanye West. I hope that gives you an indication of the promise he once offered and the accessibility of artists not too long ago. Enjoy... while it lasts.

ATM

Then And Now: Macy Gray

Hey folks. I know it's been a minute since I dropped through but hey what can I say? Diva's been making moves. So many new artists have been popping up that it feels good to hear from a familiar soul. Macy Gray is back with her 6th studio album, The Sellout, out this Tuesday. Miss Gray, who's in her early 40s, is an artist I admire because of her originality (that distinct raspy voice), creativity (have you seen those outfits she rocks?), and just all around realness. I remember her first coming on to the scene back in the late 90s with "I Try" and I've been a fan ever since. Here's her latest single so sit back, relax, and smile as Ms. Gray reminds us that there's still "Beauty in the World."

-Artemis J

First let me refresh your memory...

I may appear to be free
But I'm just a prisoner of your love
And I may seem all right and smile when you leave
But my smiles are just a front

We need more lovin’
We need more money, they say
Change is gonna come
Like the weather
They say forever
They say
When they’re in between
Notice the blue skies
Notice the butterflies
Notice me

CORRECTION:Her album is dropping this Monday. sounds as though her label is worried that she won't be able to compete with others artists' record sales.

Then and Now: Booty Rap (Juvenile)

Fun Fact: Juvenile's "Back That Thang Up" was the first video to be retired from MTV's "Total Request Live"

Another Fun Fact: Juvenile's 400 Degreez, featuring the smash singles "Ha" and "Back That Thang Up" went quadrupile Platinum.

Not such a Fun Fact: Juve's career has taken a beating since his split with Cash Money (who has been quite successful as of late with the superstardom of Young Money Ent.).

But the boy Juve is back with his new single, "Drop That Thang" off of his upcoming LP Beast Mode. This song is obviously reminiscent of '99 hit but will undoubtedly never receive the same acclaim. However, I'm feelin' the fun spirit of the joint and I hope ya'll do to.

ATM

Then and Now: Coke Rap

So I'm thinking of starting a new installment here on the blog called "Then and Now" where I'll compare Hip-Hop music from back in the day to Hip-Hop now. This first edition has to do with what many call "coke rap." Artists like Gucci Mane., Jeezy, and the Clipse have made a killing discussing the "trap" in their music but never really dwell too deeply on the necessity of taking such a risk in one's life. However, I like Cube's approach. Check out his song "A Bird In The Hand" from his 1991 release Death Certificate and compare that with the lyrics from USDA's former smash, "White Girl." What do you think...

ATM