Skillz- '09 Rap Up

Right on time Skillz delivers his yearly (w)rap up of all things pop culture touching on the countless celebrity deaths, scandals and other notable events from 2009.

Skillz- 2009 Rap Up

If anyone wants 2002-2008 drop a comment and I'll upload them.

JaffeJu

Rap Misses in '09

Before I post my 10 favorite rap releases of 2009 tomorrow I had to throw up some of the albums that were disappointments this year. My major issue with the following rappers' albums was that they either tried to go with a different sound that just wasn't executed properly or they stuck with the same tired routine that's come to be associated with them

-Alchemist- Chemical Warfare

Features from Kool G Rap, Eminem, KRS-One and Fabolous weren't enough to overcome the simple fact that too many of the beats sounded the same. On the plus side Mr. ALC did improve his rhymes but when I get an album of his I'm checking for the beats first and foremost, and they just weren't there on this release.

Standout songs: Lose Your Life, Therapy and Smile

-Clipse- Til The Casket Drops

On it's own a solid release from the Thornton brothers but it's not close to seeing Lord Willin', Hell Hath No Fury or even their We Got It 4 Cheap mixtape series.Part of the problem may have been unreasonably high expectations but it just didn't have that coke-rap sound that I've come to expect from the Clipse. That may have been their goal since there's definitely a more pop/mainstream sound but if it's not broke why fix it?

Standout Songs: Freedom, Popular Demand (Popeyes's) and Footsteps

-Cam'Ron- Crime Pays

Cam was poised for a strong return in '09 with his reemergence to the rap scene after disappearing but bland production, terrible features and a flow that sounded like he'd rather not be rapping all contributed to the failure of Crime Pays.

Standout Songs: Cookin' Up, Curve, Get It In Ohio

-Jay-Z- Blueprint 3

Seems like plenty of people liked this album but I just couldn't vibe with it. I understand Jay for going with more of a pop/electro sound because it allowed him to appeal to a wider fanbase, but kind of like with Til The Casket Drops it's not the Jigga I want to hear. Where Raekwon went and dropped arguably the year's best album by going back to the sound that made him popular in the first place, Jay tried to do to much in his quest to transcend rap and ended up failing.

Standout Songs: N/A...would've been D.O.A, Run This Town and Empire State of Mind had they not been played the fuck out by radio and television.

-Jadakiss- The Last Kiss

When your mixtapes are consistently better than your albums you'd think it'd be smart to switch up the album formula but Montega Jada went with another feature- heavy album that had at least one guest on 16/18 songs. On top of that he went and got OJ da Juiceman for the lead single which deserves a stoneface since an artist as established as Jada shouldn't have to sink to such lows to try and sell a few more records.

Standout Songs: Pain and Torture, Cartel Gathering and Death Wish

-Fabolous- Loso's Way

I've given up on Fab's albums at this point since he insists on making them more and more "female friendly" with R&B and club songs. If you thought Loso's Way was dope go listen to There Is No Competition from 2008 and you'll see the "other" Fab who is still capable of going bar for bar with any rapper out.

Standout Songs: Imma Do It, There He Go and Lullaby

JaffeJu

Choking on the ganja...literally

Suspect dies after choking on bag of weed

Now if the guy had his medical card he wouldn't have had to worry about the cops finding the weed and he'd still be alive.

On a different note here's an answer to a question I've always had...

Why do rappers hold their guns sideways?

JaffeJu

Cam'Ron Feat. Vado- Ooh Baby

Swear to god this beat took me back to the Dipset glory days. I've been unimpressed with Cam's recent verses but he stepped it up on this track. Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come from Cam and Vado heading into the new year.

Ooh Baby

*someone needs to let Vado know that denim jacket is a no-go

JaffeJu

Freeway & Jake One-Know What I Mean...early!

Saw this video and just made me even more anxious for Freeway's, The Stimulus Package. Dropping sometime 2010.(as well as Detox, hopefully lol)

Good night world



A.Math aka Crackman

Stephen Colbert>your favorite rapper

Just watch the video...

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor U.S. Speedskating

A.Math aka Crackman

Real Name No Gimmicks

After some time away from the rap game Obie's back at it with his Special Reserve EP, produced entirely by MoSS. Hopefully this means Obie's third album, Bottom's Up, is set to drop sometime in 2010.

Special Reserve EP

JaffeJu

Let the games begin

Winter break officially started for me last Friday afternoon and the only way to set the break off properly was with a major session.

Goldstein came through from Anaheim to take part in the festivities, contributing some fire "K-2"...

...and some "earwax".

Here's some "Ed Rosenthal (SuperBud)" named after the famous Cali horticulturalist and weed advocate.

"Pre-98 Bubba".

I ALWAYS prefer regular swishers

Oowop ingredients

Let the break begin!

Oowop's and 40's go together like peanut butter and jelly.

JaffeJu

I wish I could get high like this...

Corey Brewer flew! good lord!


I hope everyone is enjoying the rain. Good day.


A.Math aka Crackman

Elzhi- The Leftovers UnMixedtape

It boggles my mind how some of ya'll *cough* Clipper Brian *cough* feel like there's no good new rap music to listen to. While Elzhi is far from a "new" rapper considering his extensive body of work (solo and as a part of Slum Village), he's so overlooked/ignored that it's like he's a new rapper because the average rap listener has no idea who he is.

If this applies to you then peep game.

DOWNLOAD

JaffeJu

"I roll one you match one if you bout it bout it"-Curren$y

First off...
I wanted to hit you guys with a track I think has been slept on by everybody! There is a lot of hate for Curren$y by our readers and even our staff...you guys are sleeping!
Some say he has a boring man flow...well then how the hell can you listen to Guru?! That dude sounds like homeboy from Ferris Bueller's Day Off. (I have no hate for Gang Starr so don't get it twisted.)
But anyways check this track out. Yes, the orginal track probably outshines duke's whole career but it is dope none the less...


On to the next...
Just a couple pics from the Clippers game on saturday night. (click to enlarge)


Had to snap a pic of jpaps boy being a pussy lol.
Things are slow around the DankLA offices right now and we apologize. People are busy with finals, some are trying to graduate(d), and others are trying to get their lives back. But stay tuned with us! Thank you.


A.Math aka Crackman

Operation Weezy F. Baby

I had no idea the solution to the drug trade in Mexico was so simple.

JaffeJu

Rakim Allah

I'm sure most of you slept on his 3rd solo album that dropped recently, The Seventh Seal, but here's some motivation to check it out. Song produced by Jake One.

JaffeJu

"I'm in the Audi cocaine...

...rolling weed proudly no shame."-Vado

I always forget how nice Gangta Grillz-Boss Of All Bosses is until I bump it again! If you havent checked that out, you stupid.

I just got done watching the Florida vs Alabama game and it was great to see that lame Tebow cry after a giant L! Kick rocks Tebow.
I am hitting up the Pacers vs Clippers game tonight, but before I bounce I have a few pics to sum up the week...(click pics to enlarge)

morning blunts with some of the staff from ATA

of course bones had to happen too...good looks Curtis for that fat hoe Big 6! (and check out Til The Casket Drops as well. solid album)

had to give you guys a pic of the piff as well...enjoy.


A.Math aka Crackman

Freddie Gibbs in LA Weekly

Article

JaffeJu

UC Irvine babies get it crackin' early

(click to enlarge)

JaffeJu

Back to business

I want to apologize to all of our followers since we took a little hiatus last week. It was a holiday so our staff was just chillin out and on vacation, but now we're back!

So like jpap mentioned in an earlier post, we did roll up an obese thanksgiving oowop.
sorry for the crappy cell pics (click to enlarge)




Not too much going on in these neck of the woods but it is almost 2010!
Be prepared...big shit planned for the new year! Stay tuned.
Patience is a virtue.


A.Math aka Crackman

Gucci Mane Feat. Lil' Wayne & Cam'Ron- Stupid Wild

Off of Gucci Mane's upcoming album The State vs. Radric Davis. Bangladesh on the beat which sounds like a slightly different/updated 8Ball & MJG- You Don't Want Drama. Song is hot, and while I won't be buying the album I expect Gucci to do some decent numbers despite his recent legal issues which resulted in a one-year prison sentence for violating his parole.

DOWNLOAD

JaffeJu

Thanksgiving Break Recap

Before I get into what went down over the weekend I have an issue to discuss with the one they call Sa'wel...

This 1 on 1 game has been in talks for too long. The time has come for action, and to prevent you from backing out once again I had to make it official and post it up here. I'm giving you a month to get on your Rocky Balboa shit and prepare for battle. Run the stairs at Curtis' apartment, spar over a game of bones or whatever you gotta do...but be ready by December 30th.

We'll make the bet a gram (no stress) blunt (no wraps) to the winner.

Anyway...

Thanksgiving at my house was proper as usual. We had way more food than people so I'm still eating leftovers as I type this.

Clockwise from the top we got turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, ham, collard greens, mac 'n cheese, roasted vegetables and a piece of monkey bread.

Since I didn't get to smoke before eating you know I had to meet up with the Crackman, Joker, and 3/5 of the ethos to get an after dinner oowop.

For those of you out of the loop, an oowop is slang for 2 blunts rolled end to end.

This one burned for 24 minutes and forced one etho to leave the rotation and another to nod off to sleep haha.

Saturday we met up at the Joker's crib to watch the USC vs. UCLA game. Shoutout to Slick Rick Neuheisel for calling a timeout down 14 with about a minute to play and getting made a fool of by Pete Carroll and co.

Since only one oowop for the break just wasn't gonna cut it we decided to get one more before Norris headed back to St. Louis.

"STOP IT 5!"

JaffeJu

Today's NBA is Softer Than Silk

Watching this video just reminded me of how soft the NBA currently is. Rule changes have erased a lot of the physical play that produced some of the best basketball in the 80s and early to mid 90s, and with that it seems that real rivalries are on the decline. Teams back then used to HATE each other and it was evident on the court, where as nowadays it seems like all the players are good friends. I'm not saying the league needs more fights but I'd like to see a return to the gritty basketball of years past where it was OK if you hated your opponents...all the more reason to settle it on the court.

Just an observation but enjoy the video, especially Jerry Stackhouse giving Jeff Hornacek a few shots to the face (pause).

JaffeJu

Trick Shots

The homie Clipper Brian sent this link over earlier today which was surprising because I figured he'd still be out celebrating last night's win over the Nuggets (which they just about gave away again in the 4th quarter). You might be thinking another basketball trick shot video, nothing new, but I promise you there's a few shots in here that will have you , not to mention setting up a nerf hoop in a Food for Less. Brian actually played with one of the main guys, Zach, for CSU Eastbay and co-signed the authenticity of the video, which some of you may doubt.

JaffeJu

Freeway Friday

106 & Park has Freestyle Fridays but here at Dank LA we're bringing you Freeway Fridays.

Every Friday I'll be posting songs that you've never heard before and that are certified heat from one of Philadelphia's best.

This week:

Freeway- Knock It Off

Q: What does 50 Cent do when he's not baiting rappers into battles or explaining his low-projected album sales?

A: Get into a scuffle with 68 year old sportscaster Marv Albert at a taping for The Jimmy Kimmel show.

Apparently Curtis' entourage felt particularly threatened by Marv Albert and sent "a fist or two flying" in his direction. Despite the odds of being a senior citizen and facing a rapper's entourage, Albert emerged from backstage unharmed but confused saying, "I thought they were kidding, but they weren't."

JaffeJu

"See you can smell that I smoke and yep I sip that lean...

...you hit me with that combination and make my eyes bleed" -Lil Wayne

I'd like to give a big Happy Birthday shout out to my good friend Juanie R!
I don't even know where to begin with this girl...but all I can say is that we have been thru thick & thin! In the end, we ALWAYS end up closer than we were before. Plain and simple she is MUCH appreciated in my life! We will be smoking plenty of l's when you get back from SF for thanksgiving break and winter break! Earrly!
But anyways, Juanie "quit" smoking for about 3 weeks prior to her bday and earlier tonight she sent me this picture of what she rolled up to commemorate her bday!


I wish you the best on your birthday Juanie! May your day be filled with plenty of joy and boisterous activies...sometimes.


Public Service Announcement: Fuck all the Lil Wayne haters! Kick rocks!
I know there are a lot of haters out there, but please watch this documentary and then see if you still hate dude. You may hate his music(and yes I hate the auto-tune, rock bullshit), but give the documentary a peep and see what you think. I know we are ALL trying to live this lavish lifestyle.




A.Math aka Crackman

Speaking of Rap Duos

Is there a duo with a more fitting name to feature on our site than Frank-N-Dank? Out of Detroit, the group worked extensively with J Dilla before his passing and built a strong following in the U.S. and all over Europe.

The first time I heard this song it was off of a shitty quality audio rip from a concert where they performed with Dilla, and yet despite the poor quality it had me instantly nodding my head to the beat and searching for more of their work.

Also I'm sure some of you missed this last Sunday night, in which case let me introduce you to

Danny Duberstein.

JaffeJu

It's a wrap

Just got back from ny and swooped some dutches and games while I was out there.

The Best Rap Duo Ever!

I don't know about you guys, but i am EAGERLY awaiting this album!
The staff at ATA were debating a few weeks back what the best album of 2009 was...
Well ladies and gents, we might have a winner! (or Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Pt.2) close call.

I do not see how this album could be a disappointment...but who knows with the way the music industry is right now.
Leave a comment and let me know how you think the album sounds so far?








AND I'm not sure if this song is on the album or not, but this is one of my favorite videos right now...




A.Math aka Crackman

United States the New Amsterdam?

We've got a ways to go before that happens but it looks like parts of the country are headed in that direction.

Just a few days ago we posted an article about the AMA's support of altering marijuana's status as a schedule I drug and now here's an article about the first weed "cafe" opening in Portland, Oregon. According to the article The Cannabis Cafe will be the first cafe to give medical marijuana patients a location to purchase weed and medicate on-site, styled after the popular "coffee shops" found in Amsterdam.

Read the full article HERE

JaffeJu

"You already know how I do 'em, I get 'em and nevermind 'em...

...I hit 'em and nevermind 'em, forget 'em and nevermind 'em." -Stack Bundles RIP

Sometimes life will throw curveballs at you, but all you can do is deal with it.
There will be many obstacles that you must face and overcome in life and there is no avoiding that. One of the things I have learned is, let what happens happen and deal with it from there. You can't change the past, or even people for that matter.
Im not trying to get philosophical with you guys, just keeping 100 as always, but just a few words of wisdom may help anyone when they read that.

So back to business as always: (click pics to enlarge)


I wanna give a few shout outs, first to all the homies up at Allergic to Aid. Big ups to you fellas, not only for being part of the family, but also cuz those wake and bake blunts during the week are no joke lol. Hitting me up at fucking 9am to see if im trying to blaze, you all know who you are lol. I got you!

And secondly I wanna shout out the big homie Russs at ATA. For two reasons...
1) cuz of this pic that jpap snapped of you on your bday lol

and 2) cuz your blunt game is on the rise! you rolled a nice fatty the other morning and I must say I was very impressed. Keep up the good work youngin.
Wake and bake sessions are always proper!
Earrly!


A.Math aka Crackman

Freeway Friday

Freeway has consistently been putting out some of the best music this year but hasn't gotten anywhere near the recognition he deserves. In the time since the break-up of the R.O.C. he has been the most consistent rapper out of EVERYONE, yes everyone on Roc-A-Fella (Cam had his disappearance, Jay and Kanye went the pop route, Sigel had legal issues and The Solution was a lackluster effort) in my opinion.

Free at Last, Live Free or Die Hard, Philadelphia Freeway 2, the Month of Madness (where he dropped an original song every day for an entire month)...all certified heat.

The reason I respect Freeway as a rapper is his grind. Doesn't matter what label he's signed to or any industry politics, the dude puts out damn good music.

With that said here's his "album before the album" hosted by DJ Don Cannon, The Beat Made Me Do It

JaffeJu

AMA Changes its Stance on Medical Marijuana

The American Medical Association, the nation's largest physicians organization with about 250, 000 member doctors, has recently urged the federal government to reconsider its classification of marijuana has a dangerous drug with no medical benefit. The AMA's hope is that this will allow more research to be done on marijuana to determine it's medicinal benefits and alternative ways in which patients can receive those benefits.

Read the full article HERE

This seems like another step in the right direction to changing marijuana's classification as a schedule I drug, the same category as shrooms, LSD, MDMA, and heroin, which even the most vehement opponents of marijuana have to admit is a joke. And while I still don't see weed being legalized anytime too soon it appears that at the very least it is being decriminalized and losing some of the stigma the government has worked so hard to ingrain into society.

JaffeJu

It's About To Go Down/New Clipse

I swear 50 is the Vince McMahon of rap, always involved in some sort of beef or controversy. For as long as I can remember Fif has been taking shots at Ol' Man Hov trying to get some sort of response but has been relatively unsuccessful so far. Adding Beanie Sigel to the mix could finally change that though, considering Sigel's past history with Jay and their recent fallout.

Beanie: "I was a fly on the wall, the shit I witnessed/I could say shit that make B look at you different"

Also, new clipse track off 'Til The Casket Drops, Door Man, produced by The Neptunes.

Download

JaffeJu

Hashhead

Let me first off shout out the DankLA staff and of course our dedicated followers, cuz this is our 100th post!!

So anyways, last NBA season, back when the cavs were 30 something and 0 at home, jpap and I made a pretty hefty bet.
We bet that each of our teams would go to the finals and win. He had the Lakers obviously, and I had the Cavaliers. What does the winner get you ask?
Winner got this: (click pics to enlarge)

the cannon ball

hash salad anyone?





Obviously jpap won the bet. His victory blunt was mad late, but better late than never.
Winner got a blunt stuffed with a gram of the piff and almost a g of hash.
HB's=hash blunts>everything


A.Math aka Crackman

"What is the chocolate doing here?"

JaffeJu

Cross Blunted

Reporting live from the Dankla offices in St Louis...

We smokin' like Giants...

Literally.

News is a few days but this is probably the only time you'll see anything regarding the Giants on this blog, so all you bay-area heads enjoy it while you can.

Timmy Lincecum busted for weed

I wonder if he was on his way to twist up one of these.

JaffeJu

two is better than one

So what's better than a great Max B song??

A great Max B song AND video to go along with it! Peep game...


Good night world!

PS-my top 10 personal favorite albums coming soon, if I can actually choose lol.


A.Math aka Crackman

Living The College Life

Shit happens.

Like today, when I came home from playing basketball before class and discovered that our gas got shut off. Tight. Freezing cold shower? I think one of my top 5 least enjoyable things to have to do. Soonest they can come turn it back on? Saturday.

Add to that we still don't have regular access to our mail because our key was lost (good looks Hiley) and when we finally replaced the lock ourselves a piece of it is still fucking up and keeping us out. So now I have to stake out the mailman on days when I'm home so he can open it and let me fix it.

It's not always bad because good shit happens too.

Like midterm scores.

Like trees.

Like 1 gram vanilla dutches.

Like bottles of Henny.

I'll tell you what though, good and bad, this college life is definitely fun.

On to some music quickly...

I didn't even know about this Nipsey track until 50 cent's personal spokesman aka Clipper Brian asked me for it the other day.

Neighborhood Nipsey- Six Owe

With the recent Beanie Sigel/Jay-Z/50 Cent situation, here's one of my favorite mixtape songs from Sigel over the Can't Stop The Reign beat.

"You talk shit grip the four long tight, and quick to give you twenty like Kobe on an off night"

Broad Street Bully- Can't Stop The Reign

JaffeJu