HipHope.com

Here’s a small treat for you, I put together album covers from several Hip Hop inspired and inspirational albums of all time.  Of course I don’t have enough room to put everything up because it’s a very long list, but I did what I could with the space that I have.  Check this and let me know what you think….

Inspirational Hip Hop albums and the albums that inspire Hip Hop

Game back to Aftermath Records

Twitter is becoming more official for celebrity news than ever.  Game announced through his Twitter page, that he is moving back to Aftermath Records.  Originally on Aftermath when he first came out, he left in 2006 after a beef between him and Dr Dre then he signed to Geffen Records.  He left after 50 Cent said it was either him or me that leave.  Of course Dre couldn’t let his biggest money maker go, so it had to be Game.  But in the photo you see him wearing chains with the letter A for Aftermath.  Hmmmm I’m wondering how 50 is going to take this news.

Dre isn’t scared of Mr Suge Knight any more. He’s suing over royalties from the original the Cronic album. He claims he hasn’t been paid any royalties on the album since 1996 when he split from Death Row records. Since then the Cronic has been re released without Dre’s permission. The newly revamed Death Row records now called WIDEawake Death Row records, the company WIDEawake bought into Death Row records after it filed for bankruptcy after Dre and Snoop left. There have also been other releases of the Cronic including a greatest hits and digital copies being sold that Dre wants royalties on. I’m just wondering why Dre waited so long to file suit, hopefully he has the legal rights to get paid.

Now Ashanti’s last album wasn’t all that, a little bland in comparison to the other artists that she’s competing with.  I think she realizes that it’s time to step her game up.  What better way to do it than to go into the studio with Dr Dre and his recently rejoined artist Game.  She didn’t really say what they were up to, but if she really wants to keep up with Beyonce I think she should make her music better.  Her last album wasn’t terrible, there was just not a whole lot there that sparked my interest too much.  Plus it kind of put me to sleep, it’s nice to know she’s working on some new stuff and also finding better producers.  I hope she also finds better writers and has more uptempo songs.  Her last album kind of put me to sleep.  So good luck Ashanti and may you get back to where you used to be with your music.  Not only that she’s in a movie, Resident Evil 3, that’s coming out this year.  She sounds busy this year.  Check her in the picture above with Dre, Game and some fat dude and check out her interview below.  Is it just me or is Ashanti looking rather hot these days?

New Album after 9 years

Remember the Soul Assassins from ’97, then again in 2000 that featured a gang of the dopest MC’s at thetime. Group created by DJ Muggs from Cypress Hill. The first album featured artists like Dre, Goodie Mob, RZA, GZA, MC Eiht, KRS 1 and more. Second album wasn’t blazing like the first but still had a bit of bang. Here’s 2009 I checked out the new joint called “Intermission.”  With the eclectic mix of MC’s from all over the map, these albums are normal interesting at worst.

1. Gangsta Shit (feat Bun B, M1) – M1 went off to a stupid fresh beat and Bun B’s country self on the hook.  They all sound dope on this track just rhyming and saying this Gangasta Shit.

2. Classical (feat Slick Jacken, Evidence) – Sounds kind of islandy mello beat.  Sounds OK but almost put me to sleep after about 2 mins.  Not a great song.

3. Gunshots (feat Chace Infinite, Alchemist) – Wow, this is a classic Alchemist beat, Chase Infinite sounds pretty good.  Hook is OK, reggae style.

4. Do It (feat La Coka Nostra) – Another phat ass beat with some hype flowing.  La Coka Nostra sounds kind of Xzibitish on the track. I like it a lot though, especially the plain old hook saying do that sh!t do it.  Lyrics are quite raw too. Nice!

5. Rep Yo Shit (feat P.C.P. aka Slick Jacken, Necro) – Wow, the beats on this album are getting sick!  The piano roll on this track are very nice.  I can’t believe the quality of production so far.  Raspy voices and cool bouncing raps are hot.

6. Good Evening Los Angeles (feat Self Scientific) – This beat is not as good as the rest.  Rock feel to it, flow is ill over the track no doubt.  Not really a hook to it, just a phat break with samples of news clips.  Kind of dark, song isn’t anything to brag about though.

7. Meet Your Maker (feat Reef The Lost Cause, Outer Space) – Really raw lyrics over a pretty nice beat.  The song almost got boring until you heard more instruments in it.  It gives the song a nice feel and the very instrumental beat is a nice touch.  This album is stricking me as a producers album as opposed to showcasing the MCs.

8. Intermission (feat RZA, Rev William Burk, Planet Asia, B-Real) – Yeah not a good song, a little boring.  Well a lot boring actually.

9. Champions (Remix) (feat Prodigy, Big Twin) – Nice come back on this one, phat beat, hardcore rhymes.  Big Twin’s raspy voice, cool!  Sounds like some on NY shit with a west flav to it.

10. Let Go (My Life) (feat Fashawn) – Weird beat with a what rapper.  Na sun!

11. Like That Y’all (feat. Planet Asia) – This is another wierd beat in a row.  So bad it gave me a headache, couldn’t really hear Planet Asia rapping but he was going off though.  Too bad about that wack ass beat.

12. World We’re In (feat Cynic) – This beat is better, like way better.  Damn Muggs is going through something.  Nice song and a strong flow going on here.  Nice, with an over sped sample this song is on.

13. Call It Like I See It (feat Chace Infinite, Krondon) – Song not so bad, not so great.

14. Matchbox (feat. Dust) – Slow jam, the beat is a pretty OK, the vocals from dust are good.

15. Figure it Out (feat Young De, Xzibit, Mykestro) (Bonus Track) – Nice track to put at the end.  Xzibit is always nice on the mic he’s teamed up with Young De and Mykestro who rip the track right along side.  Nice song, beat is strong.

Giving the album a 78.4%, I’d say like 10 good songs out of 15 is above average.  I’d no doubt say it’s worth it.  Only downfall is the bad songs on this compilation are terrible.  But the mix of all the different style rappers and the crazy hot beats make this a banger.

50 Cent is slated to release an album called “War Angel LP.”  The LP was added as to not sound like a mixtape.  Just what the world needs another 50 Cent mix tape.  The LP is supposed to have all new material.  According to MTV news 50 said, “I’m finnin’ to get on the street, you already know what time it is. My core audience will understand it immediately, and it’s written specifically for that.”  This album is to be available on 50′s website starting Tuesday June 15th, 2009.  He is currently in the studio with Timbaland, the album also has production from Dr Dre (of course) working on the long overdue album, “Before I Self-Destruct.”  This was supposed to be released last year sometime.  I think 50′s too busy hanging out at the club sippin’ bub to make albums.  Let’s see what he’s sounding like.  Lately he’s been a bit on the garbage side.