J-Love and Meyhem Lauren’s album ‘Acknowledge Greatness’ is like the prequel to the ‘Lo-End Theory. There are features from Timeless Truth, Roc Marciano and Thirstin’ Howl the 3rd. J-Love maestros classic rap beats while Meyhem rips the microphone like a young beast.
‘Acknowledge Greatness’ is a double album of classic material. This album is tragically slept on. Here’s a few tracks that go harder than leather in any kind of weather. The ‘Lo-End Theory is still bubblin’ underground. We gonna get it together before its all said and done.
In the meantime and in between time fux with this real rap shit…
David Dallas is an artist from New Zealand. He’s come to the States a couple of times and tried to get up with the kid but my schedule has been bananabread. The last time he was in NYC I told him to meet up with me at the RapRadar 1yr anniversary. Thanks to his height and good looks [ll] David got into the party without a problem, but I almost didn’t. Thankfully Elliott Wilson pulled me inside the shindig.
Anyhoo…
David threw me this track and asked me to give it a listen. I like it. It’s part motivational and part resolution. The beat is from the RATATAT archive so it has that synth x guitar bounce. I like it.
UnKut.com issued me my official late pass so now I’m going in hardbody [ll] on this Meyhem Lauren x J-Love x Outdoorsmen shit from 2008.
This dude Meyhem is a Hulk over the Preemo track. Rappers are definitely in danger. The opening verse kills 98.75% of rappers out there.
“Spit torrential, about to copp a presidential.
My words, essential, y’all niggas only got potential.
Coincidental? Nah son you like a stencil.
Style rental? Yo chill, we don’t do that.
About 20Gs on kicks I done blew that.”
After listening to that classic Ice Cube shit I heard a sample from Steve Arrington’s ‘Weak At The Knees’ and I had to start digging in the virtual crates of the internets.
Steve Arrington – ‘Weak At The Knees’
Arrington was from Ohio where all the great Black musicians in America come from, at least all the funky drummers. Arrington was formerly a member of the band Slave who created the everlasting rollerskate jam ‘Just A Touch Of Love’ as well as ‘Slide’ and ‘Watching You’.
Slave – ‘Just A Touch Of Love’
Slave – ‘Slide’
Slave – ‘Watching You’
Arrington left Slave in the early 1980’s to form his own band Steve Arrington’s Hall Of Fame and the hits kept coming. Along with the heavily sampled ‘Weak At The Knees’ he had another hit with the inspirational ‘Nobody Can Be You’
Steve Arrington’s Hall Of Fame – ‘Nobody Can Be You’
Arrington is a musician filled with the spirit and he lets that spirit guide his artistic path. How many artists are talented enough to let angels be their influences, as opposed to D’Evils? Steve Arrington achieved his biggest success musically with his mid-1980’s efforts. Songs like ‘Feel So Real’ and the exuberant ‘Dancing In The Key Of Life’ will forever be the family reunion barbecue jams.
Steve Arrington’s Hall Of Fame – ‘Feel So Real’
Steve Arrington’s Hall Of Fame – ‘Dancing In The Key Of Life’
In the late 80’s Arrington left the music business for a religious commitment only to return to the game in 2009 with an album called ‘Pure Tang’.
Editor’s note: We are lucky to have readers who are proactive in their love for art. A reader hit me up and asked why I didn’t have a drop on this or that. I told the reader that it wasn’t because I didn’t fux with this or that, but because I didn’t have time to fux with this or that, but if he would take a minute to draft a drop I would certainly put it on the table for discussion. This is T-412 giving us a drop on Lupe Fiasco (I’ve been holding this image for a couple of years). Enjoy…
They say my future was dark…
So they say, but I say Lupe Fiasco just made one of my favorite new jams. A week ago he dropped his new single I’m Beaming. This record is representing Lupe’s third album Lasers. This is one of those jams that can get instant replay value for a few reasons. The one most important thing is the single was made for everyone to enjoy. Lupe shows he can spit three verses with nice content. The Neptunes come in with a monster beat and definitely raise the bar to higher standards. Not to mention, this is my wake n bake ishh right here ladies (start your mornings right people.). Watch the video, it was made by Illusive Media. It features help from a bunch of little kids running around all crazy/acting. Besides that, Shouts to DP for letting me share this with you, Lupe’s making hit records and someone had to show love.
Do you remember me the guy from verse one?
This video is pushing positive out energy and it reflects. Try playing it and not start dancing or start singing along to the hook. To say the least its refreshing to have lyrical content match the production, and to be released as a single? This what most artists cant do yet strive to with great pressure from recording companies, rushing your favorite artists with deadlines, dates, forced R n’ B collabos and the results ending not up to par(no names). 1st and 15th is an independent label and you can taste the organic roots.
Yeah its me again the guy from verse two.
Doesn’t it feel great to have refreshing music? With actual content with lyrical wordplay to boot. I had to pull a few lines out. Back to the lyrics, you gotta really listen to the content within, shit is real. One of the many examples of Lupe going in on I’m Beaming.
“Now those the type of eyes, I not cry from
You see the tears of fire run out my cryin’ songs.”
Example of Lupe going in from the heart. ^ These two quotes, (above and below) they reminded me of similar songs by two great artists can you guess who??
“And baby girl, what does it matter where your purse from?
Your hurr done, your nails did, your ass fat, but you’re dumb.”
Does going against the grain work on this one?? What about that Gucci, Louie, Fendi?? Addressing the ladies in an uplifting attempt to see past material items… Nice!
I hope I’m not getting to deep into this, but at times its hard not to just let the imagination run wild. This is what separates the good from great. See with the help from The Neptunes, Lupe was able to paint those vivid pictures that we all hope to get from inspiring artists. Not only pictures but real pictures with emotion/feeling behind it. You can tell Lupe uses his music as way to vent somewhat therapeutically. AKA Getting some things off his chest. Ill let your imagination take you to where you want to go. So take it at face value or dig deep its still sweet.
See me now, I’m beaming…
Still, with all that being said. Lupe hasn’t released an album since ‘The Cool’ in 2007. There is no question Lupe’s wordplay continues to get better with every release. In time I believe he will still be doing his craft with great passion and will no doubt be a huge part of Hip-Hop’s future. This will show greatly in the next few years. Shit, he’s even your favorite rappers’, favorite rapper. Check the first LP. There are all green lights in Lupe’s lane. With our attention now, three years later and timing might be everything.
