Cream of the Planet

Let the record show that Da Sharon Getty's fondness for Mos Def is river deep, mountain high. It's no secret.  He's not listed as Jayne's Addiction on the right  panel for no good reason.  I could sit here and lick off countless verses and songs which showcase his limitless talent- but I'd rather just let you hear for yourself.  The following video by Ski Beatz featuring Mos is for the single, Cream of the Planet off the new album 24 Hour Karate School by the former. Seriously. How can you not love that album title?  It's been rumoured that all of Mos Def's work on the Creative Control project had been pulled before the September 7th release, but I don't know how true that is. I hope not.  That would be an injustice. Anyway- a friend of mine floated this one my way and incidentally, it played flawlessly on my phone without pausing once.  (You know how it goes: Buffering...buffering...buffer...oh screw this! Effin' Crackberry!) I love everything about this joint. The jazzy horns.  The hypnotic beat.  But the lyrics, man.  The lyrics... "Listen, life is fantastic.  Beautiful and tragic. Plain. Classic." I couldn't have said it better myself, Mos.

Skyzoo & !llmind - Speakers on Blast

Nobody knows how Da Sharon Getty gets...when she hears something that is straight CRACK but you're about to find out. Driving home the other day, I heard Speakers On Blast and damn near had to pull over.  Skyzoo is the truth.  And hearing his name reminds me of early Wu Tang.  I remember handing the cassette single for Proteck Ya Neck to my homegirl and her reply was,  " Huh? Wu what?". And my response to her was, "It sounds foreign to you now- but just wait.  You'll see."  Well, that's how I feel about Skyzoo.  He'll be a household name soon enough. I got that refreshed vibe of the 90's with something extra for 2010 and beyond from him.  Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open.  Plus he hails from the respected camp of Duckdown.  Are you kidding me?  The lyrics and production are airtight. He can't lose. Watch for his coming album "Live From the Tape Deck" dropping October 5. 

Download Speakers on Blast here.  I will not steer you wrong.

One.

C.A.R.D.I. - One to Watch

Alright People, you know I always put you on when I discover something worth sharing in Hip-Hop.  Well, don't say I never gave you nothin'.  I first met Cardi in my days of hosting an online radio show called Strong Island Hip Hop almost two years ago.  He would frequent the studio to battle our featured artists and would kill it each and every time. The kid is a problem.  For the longest time, we would interview artists and showcase their talents- but the best part of each show would be the freestyle cipher afterward, hands down.  You would have to see it to believe it, but a lot of heads came up to the studio just to hear him spit and he wasn't even in front of the camera prior to that. The buzz was always there.  Da Sharon Getty got a chance to ping-ping with Cardi  with a little word association interview, just off the top.  He's just as humble, mature,  laid back and funny as they come, plus something else.  A secret ingredient that makes him real and credible without the commonplace posturing so prevalent in the world of rappers nowadays.   The results were off the top, raw insights into the mind of Cardi Crown Prince. Peep it.

Ipod - "CARDI"

9 to 5 -  "Sheesh..."

Dirty South - "Catchy"

Family - "Priorities"

Swag - "Discontinued" (laughs)

Twitter -  "Nosy" 

Ignorance - "Disease"

Nikki Minaj - "Plastic"

Battle - (smiles knowingly) "Dat's cool."




It should come as no surprise that Cardi knows exactly where he’s going. That’s because he knows very well where he’s been and more importantly, where he could be. The name C.A.R.D.I. which stands for Crime and Real Dollars Involved represents a road many may go down but never make it back. Born Roderick Jones on October 5, 1989 and named for a close family friend whose life was tragically cut short, Cardi Crown Prince is a man destined for success. He hails from Lakeview, Long Island New York. Exit 18 is home to many who aspire to do what comes naturally to Cardi. From shows to freestyle ciphers and special appearances, he quickly became a favorite on the underground circuit with eloquent rhymes and mature viewpoint of the industry that contradicts his short years on the planet. That started way before the ENJ Battlegroundz, Strong Island Hip Hop ciphers and live performances at venues in NYC. He’s a wordsmith at heart. He received poetry and literature awards as a youth and grew up hearing mainstays in Hip Hop like DMX, Nas, Jay-Z and Big in his household along with classic soul greats which influence his music. He cites Otis Redding and Frankie Beverly and Maze as being a few of his all-time favorites. Being the oldest of three children, it’s safe to say he was the youngest in charge in a way. With a strong sense of family values, he has no reason to come off as something he is not. He talks about what he knows. He will take his listeners through true life and its pleasure and pains without a need to brag. If his bravado seems apparent, that’s because he backs it up with a laid back delivery and lyrics that stick. Initially he wasn’t drawn to rap but basketball instead. For a long time, Cardi could be spotted with an ever present basketball, working on his skills. He played basketball for his school team as a guard for two and a half years. But rhyming came naturally as he would rap at school presentations and projects rather than simply speak at them. Some people are nothing but trouble makers and others are straight-A students, but Cardi fell somewhere in between with his share of lunchroom antics while maintaining his grades in order to play sports. It paved the way for things to come. In a short time he established a reputation for witty one-liners and thought provoking stories. In March 2009 he released the mixtape Leader of the New School. His single “The Way It Is” has fast become a sensation on the streets and in cyberspace alike. Proving that he can hold his own in any forum, his guest spots are equally anticipated as his solo performances. In April 2010 he signed with KG Music Group but it doesn't stop there. Cardi flaunts a true confidence while maintaining a genuinely humble disposition. His star is on the rise and it comes as no surprise.  He is the truth.  Stay tuned.


Check out Cardi's live performance of his single, Talk To You.



Download his latest mixtape, THE CO-SIGN at datpiff.com 

Dear God 2.0

Truth be told...I haven't seen, heard or felt anything this powerful in quite some time. Word.   

"If I don't make it through the night, slight change of plans. Harp strings, angel wings and praying hands."-Black Thought

Editor's Note: Throwback Thursdays will return next week.

The Climb

Let the record show that Sharon Getty will always get you the goods when the giving is good.  My girl Jean Grae has done it again. From her collection of songs called "Dusty Jeans" comes The Climb.  Love this chick.  No homo. I guarantee you'll hit replay as soon as it's done just to catch what you missed.  The bitch is bad.

Don't say I never gave you nothin'. 

Son of a...

This is it. What?

Three words: Ooh Muthaf*ckin' Wee!

Credit where it's due. Shout out to my peeps, Crazy Al Cayne for putting me on

Snake On A Plane

Aiyo, let me preface this post by stating that I don't normally feel 50 Cent. But he has his moments and this is one of them. I used to rock with him before he got shot and started sounding so monotone. That was around How to Rob. By Wanksta, he had no wins in mi casa. And by the time Jadakiss went in on him with Checkmate- it was a wrap. If 50 really is an animal like 'Kiss said, I'd say a snake is appropriate. Anyway, he's back with Flight 187.  Props to whoever directed this video because it's attention grabbing to say the least.  It also showcases what acting ability he seems to be sharpening. Made me think twice about boarding a plane anytime soon. That's for sure. 




Sidebar: Despite his iron-jawed delivery of simple rhymes more times than not- I gotta give credit where it's due. His use of Michael Jackson's classic tune was perfectly timed with his passing on a mixtape. It was a respectful nod to the King of Pop. Check out Where You Are. And don't say I never gave ya'll nothing.

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Football season is here.  That's all there is to it.  To keep it real, I don't like football.  I can't follow the game and don't care to learn the rules.  All I know is that big, brawny men run around in tight pants and tackle each other.  There's something about a touchdown as well, right? I remember when I started bartending at a sports bar owned by a former NY Jets player, he suggested I learned the game.  That way, I could engage customers in game related convo.  Yeah. Ok. I wound up just watching highlights on ESPN before my shift and bringing those up to dudes at the bar. I had no idea what I was talking about when I said shit like, "Did you see that pass?!" and they never seemed to notice the difference. Cleavage reigned supreme.  Anyway, I figured since 'tis the season, I might as well share a football related song.  It was on  the DJ Muggs vs. GZA album Grandmasters released in 2005. Sidebar: The track General Principles is the illest joint on there in my opinion. Check it out when you're done here. Seriously. The GZA, who is the main emcee on the album finds a way to mention almost every NFL team on the track Queen's Gambit.  It's storytelling at its wittiest.  Plus, the title of the song is a Chess game reference.  It's an opening move that frees the Queen on the chessboard almost immediately. And you know that bitch can move around any way she wants. Gotta love that. Chess. Now there's a game I can get into.  But for all you football fans out there- have a listen. He might have mentioned your favorite team somewhere in the mix.