Hip-hop takes over Chicago in The Breaks

In recent years the Chicago’s hip-hop scene has grown global with the popularity of rappers like Kanye West, Chief Keef and Chance The Rapper. This weekend hip-hop comes to the city with a varsity roster of hip-hop heavyweights. These massive original kings in the hip-hop community take over Chicago for The Breaks.

Hosted in the largest venue in the city at Solider Field, it will host some of the best names to ever pick up the mic. Hip-hop legends Tech N9ne, Method Man & Redman are set to headline from By A Thread’s Vol. 1 The Breaks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNRdr1w3rBs

Slaughterhouse’s Royce Da 5’9, Joe Budden, Kxng Crooked and Joell Ortiz will bring their Shady Records aggression to The Breaks.

Harlem rapper and no stranger to controversies Cam’ron returns to Chicago. Activist and rapper Immortal Technique is also scheduled to bring his lyrically story driven raps to life at The Breaks.

Chicago’s own Crucial Conflict will bring members Coldhard, Wildstlye, Kilo and Never back together. Crucial Conflict aren’t the own hometown favorites. Belo Zero, N.A.R.D and AK from Do or Die will also add to the already impressive lineup.

Opening the night, the earlier spots are nothing to sleep on. Rittz, who just announced a new forthcoming album, is one of the openers who will guarantee earlier arrivals. YouTube and fast rapper Mac Lethal brings his fast flow to the main stage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l75Z8wil_U

Underground Philadelphia group Jedi Mind Tricks will bring scratch expert DJ Kwestion, classic prouder Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind and lyricist Vinnie Paz to The Breaks.

The Breaks has many hip-hop heads old and new excited to see these legends on the stage. This weekend it will be a throwback to a long catalog of classics. Tickets are still available for purchase here. 

The Breaks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-p2HQ2esrQ

 


Review: "More Life" Gives More "Views"

What many feel is Drake's accelerated path to get out of his current deal continues as Drake releases his 4th project in 2 years, More Life. Every time Drake releases music, it is a topic of conversation. This is no different. Drake continues to bring out the lovers, haters and the constant critics with More Life.

Drake does not put out 100% rap albums. He's bigger than the genre of hip-hop. Get over it. I don't believe Drake has been concerned with being the best rapper for some years now. Then you have his biggest records not being rap songs and you have no choice but to understand that More Life is indeed a playlist. A playlist of music Drake likes to experiment with. In what sounds like an extension of Views and the response from it, More Life is "Drake doing Drake "with no apologies or respect for your personal opinion.

More Life
"More Life"

In case you were wondering. Yes. Joe Budden, Meek Mill and Jay Z all get a few shots thrown their way throughout the project. See songs "Free Smoke", "Portland", "Lose You", "Do Not Disturb", and "Can't Have Everything". You can throw "Fake Love" in that mix too. Although there is a large population that doesn't like or respect the subliminal diss and the lack of saying names while throwing slander. It must be understood that Drake didn't create that game. He just plays it well. More Life forces you to listen and pay close attention to more of Drake's life. You also get some good music to vibe to.

Whether you believe Drake took down J.Lo or not. You better believe he took a hook to one of her biggest songs and made a nice track called "Teenage Fever". The title of the song should tell you what's up though. I like "Passionfruit". That's honestly one of my favorites on the album. Makes me want to sip and sing passionately. "Blem" has that real question every man wants to know "I wanna know, how come we can never splash and stay friends?". So you will want to repeat that one cause at one point in life you've related. "Nothings To Somethings" is either the Drake you love or kind of hate, but you listen cause it's vulnerable and emotional.

Drake's mother says the realest thing on the album while being concerned for her son on "Can't Have Everything". Kanye West appears on "Glow". It's a good song, but I'm still not excited about them coming together for a project. Young Thug chose to shut every mumble rap critic up with his features on "Sacrifices" [also features 2 Chainz] and "Ice Melts".

Long review short. Drake is over you ni**as that got too much to say about a life you never lived. His "real" and your "real" are different. He doesn't care and you shouldn't either. Drake is also confused how you all question his pen game when he's literally gave you more than one for what will be 10 summers this year. More Life is focused on making hits in a genre that is not focused on solely rap or R&B. But don't get it confused. There are dope rap moments throughout More Life. More Life like every other Drake album is worth your ear and listen. Take your expectation out of his mission and enjoy!

The running theme? And more chune for your head tops. So watch how you speak on my name. You know?


[Video] Eminem & Slaughterhouse on The Backroom

Eminem dropped his latest album this week, The Marshall Mathers EP 2, a follow-up to his seminal, larger than life, 2000 album that firmly cemented the Detroit MC in the upper echelon of hip-hop and popular culture. As part of the whirlwind media attention the project has been receiving, BET invited Shady and his crew, Slaughterhouse, to the 106th & Park Backroom to spit a few freestyles and talk to Em about Kendrick Lamar. When it comes to off the cuff hip-hop today, you can't do much better than this bunch. Check out what they cooked up for the folks over at BET and what Eminem thinks of K Dot in the videos below and pick up that Marshall Mathers EP 2 via iTunes.

The Evolution of Eminem Interview w/ Big Tigger


Joe Budden: "Money's On Me"

Joe Budden

"They say the devil wears prada, no I don't."

I got this sent over last night with a message that Joe Budden wanted to leak a new song to set the tone for 2010.  Set the tone he did.  I think Joe is one of those emcees, that can literally rap his ass off.  Naledge loves to use the term "rapping ass rappers"... and Joe Budden is one of those, dude is immensely talented at not only putting words together but conveying passion and sense of urgency through his music.  I think he's quietly become of my favorite emcees.  Anyway, check out the 2010 fire-starter, "Money's On Me" below.

 
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Joe Budden Speaks on Vibe's Top 50 Rappers List

Joe Budden

Joe Budden has a few good points.  One, who is Vibe?  Really?  And at least he's realistic about losing quickly to Rakim.  Other than that, how is he rated lower than Project Pat?  Joell Ortiz, I feel for you bro...
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