First off, the Geto Boys album cover is one of the rawest ever. After a long night of drug abuse, member Bushwick Bill shot himself after his girlfriend refused to do so.  This photo was taken after he was brought to the hospital and was used for the album – insane.  On to the music… The Geto Boys are one of the most influential groups in rap history, and along with groups like UGK, put Southern hip-hop on the map.  The group changed members on more than one occasion, but found their most success with members Bushwick Bill, Willie D and Scarface (the real“King of the South”).  In 1992 they released their single “Mind Playing Tricks on Me” which reached number one on the charts and cemented the Geto Boys place in hip-hop history. Packed with paranoia, violence, and hallucinations, the song features some of the haunting storytelling of which the Geto Boys became known for.

The song features a sample from Isaac Hayes’s “Hung Up On My Baby”, a track where Hayes shows off his arrangement and composing ability which made Black Moses one of the greatest musicians ever. Laced with Hayes’s alluring guitar riffs, the Geto Boys turned his gem into a classic of their own.  The sampled record contains so many ill loops, there is enough material to make 5 dope beats, at least.  The Geto Boys use the loop at 0:10 for the main sections of the verses, and then the loop at 0:29 for the hook, which contains a melody catchy enough to whistle along with.  I mean, who’s fucking with Isaac Hayes when it comes to providing samples for classic hip hop records… no one? (P.Walsh / K.Casey)

Isaac Hayes – Hung Up On My Baby

Geto Boys – Mind Playing Tricks On Me

via KevinCaseyMusic and Et Musique Pour Tous

The amount of music that this man has put out in the last 2-3 years is amazing.  He has mastered his art-form, and now matches that level of skill with a relentless work ethic.  Ultimately, us as listeners and fans benefit.  It’s hard to keep track of when these non-album joints came out, but they are dope and worth listening to.  ”Brand New” is a minimal, but constantly changing beat, on which Weezy goes in extra hard.  ”Pussy, Money, Weed” is a Outkast sample (”Jazzy Belle”) that is given producer Jim Jonsin’s 808 treatment, and Weezy discussing three of his favorite things.  Who can argue that?  He’s acting brand new.  Speaking of brand new, shoutout one of my favorite people, Karla aka HustleGRL for designing Weezy’s new website WeezyThanxYou.com.

Lil Wayne – Brand New

Lil’ Wayne – Pussy, Money, Weed

Scram Jones’ roster of artists goes down south as well, with North Carolina raised rapper Billionz.  I got to spend time with the kid himself recently when he came through NY on a straight studio grind, and I have nothing but great things to say about Billionz, period.  Great energy and really talented. Watch him come up in a big way this year.  Looking forward to getting in the studio with him again. Here’s a track of his featuring Ricky Ruckus, “Fuck It.”

Billionz & Ricky Ruckus – Fuck It

I remember very clearly buying Aquemini when it came out in 1998, and being fascinated by the overall sonic nature of the album, which was unlike anything I had ever heard.  Andre and Big Boi were not the least bit afraid to take their music far beyond what was expected from their region, and pushing it into an almost futuristic place.  The instrumentation throughout Aquemini is fantastic, especially on “Spottieottiedogaliscious,” which features a variety of sounds, including the track’s defining moment; a catchy reggae style horn melody.  This seven minute song is as unique as it’s title, and it bumps as hard as it did when I first heard it over ten years ago.

Outkast – Spottieottiedogaliscious

So Lil’ Wayne’s incarceration got pushed back today until March 2nd.  I hope for all our sake that he does nothing but record from now until then, and something tells me that’s exactly what he will do. “Shooter” is a real cool record that was on Wayne’s fifth studio album The Carter II and Thicke’s second The Evolution of Robin Thicke. Mr. Carter goes in on the subject of southern rappers being viewed as lyrically too basic, and how he on the other hand is … a shooter, “Call me automatic Weezy bitch, I keep spittin’, pow!”  Wouldn’t mind hearing more records from these two.

Lil’ Wayne ft. Robin Thicke – Shooter

Here’s a semi-slept on Weezy track off of the EP The Leak, and also the Deluxe Edition bonus disc of Carter III.  I recall hearing this track when the Weezy mega-buzz was reaching an all time high, and the anticipation for the third installment of his Carter series was brewing.  It contains vocal samples from previous Wayne classics such as “Go DJ”, “Fireman”, and “Cash Money Millionares.”  To me, this song was the beginning of him going in on his verses as a true believer that he was the best rapper alive.

“Yes I’m the best, and no I ain’t positive I’m definite.  I know the game like I’m reffing it.”

Lil’ Wayne – I’m Me

Southern rap is most commonly backed up by colorful synths and 808 drums – but every now and then you may catch a record that contains a sample (…and 808 drums).  Some producers frown upon sampling using straight loops, but when it works it works, and in this case it does.  The beat is constructed using three different 4 bar loops, taken from 0:09, 1:11, and 2:41.

The drums don’t come in until after Andre 3000’s verse, a smart move to make sure you don’t miss a word.  He can say more in a verse than some do on an album.  If you were a fan of “Int’l Players Anthem,” you will surely enjoy rocking out to the Willie Hutch original.

Willie Hutch – I Choose You

UGK ft. Outkast – International Players Anthem

Scarface is one of the hardest dudes to ever do it.  Here’s a list of things he would never do … what’s your list?  No hook needed on this one, just straight gems from beginning to end.  Lot’s of genuine emotion in each line, which is what makes ‘Face a special artist.

“Never disrespect my mama, never disrespect her mama neither. I’ll never turn my back on Jesus.  I’ll never get caught off in the system ’cause I believe a, man that follows man ain’t a man … and I’m a leader.”

Scarface – Never