This song is nothing new I know this, especially to everyone in the tri-state area.  I already discussed it on the Billy Joel “New York State of Mind” post, and as I mentioned, it acts as a beautiful soundtrack to driving through the city.  Anyway, I enjoy this version more than Part 1, and I enjoy Alicia Keys more than pretty much anything.  I just flat out love this record, plus, I got a “pocket full of dreams.”  It’s worth another listen, right now.

Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind Part 2

On this day 13 years ago, as we all know, Christopher Wallace was gunned down in L.A. – fifteen days before the release of Life After Death.  Biggie never got to witness the monumental success of that album, which by 2000 went Diamond (10 million sold).  He was so raw on Ready To Die, yet was able to mature as an artist so quickly to make Life After Death a completely different type of album, almost as if there were 5 albums done in between the two – but there weren’t.  In such a short career, Biggie somehow managed to leave a legacy that shows no signs of ever going away.  The rap game and all its fans miss Biggie, so I felt “Miss U” would be a fitting record to pick – I even cut out the intro for you guys so you can get right to the music.  Salute to the greatest of all time.

Notorious B.I.G. – Miss U

Hi-Tek is one of my favorite producers.  He may be best known for his work with Talib Kweli on his Reflection Eternal album, and on Black Star.  Tek has put in work in the game for years, always bringing quality production.  He has put out a series of solo albums called Hi-Teknology, “Where It Started” was a cut off of volume 2.  Even though Hi-Tek is from Cincinnati, he gives us a classic New York tribute record featuring some of our favorite MCs.  This is where it started at.

Where It Started At – Hi-Tek ft. Jadakiss, Talib Kweli, Papoose, and Raekwon

While Rhymefest was working on The Manual Mixtape with my dude Scram Jones last year, I got to spend some time around him and get to know him a little bit.  Good guy, deep thinker, talented lyricist. His co-writing role for “Jesus Walks” earned him a Grammy in 2004, and may have contributed to him getting Kanye on his debut album Blue Collar.  Their collaboration “Brand New” featured Yeezy on the first verse, and on the beat as well.

The samples for this track were taken off the album Dap-Dippin’ With… by Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings.  ”Pick It Up, Lay It In The Cut” gave Kanye the music to form the main loop for the beat – which includes chops of the intro guitar riff, combined with the horns at 0:09.  I was not surprised to discover that the “Brand New” vocal snippet, which is basically the centerpiece for the whole record, was also taken from the same album.  At the 0:25 mark of “The Dap Dip”, Sharon Jones exclaims “That ain’t no epidemic, that’s a Brand New dance!”  Kanye took a total of about 10 seconds of audio from a classic piece of vinyl, and turned it into a memorable record.

“I don’t like it unless it’s Brand New.”

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – Pick It Up, Lay It In The Cut

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – The Dap Dip

Rhymefest ft. Kanye West – Brand New

It’s the talk of the night, so why not… plus it’s dope.  I heard Flex played it about 30 times in a row. There were some mixed reviews at the studio tonight, but I think anyone that doesn’t appreciate this song, is missing something.  Either that or its going OVER their head.  The Boi-1da beat is a masterpiece, using a different chorus to verse format as far as arrangement – it surprised me how the verse came in on my first listen.  I always applaud people taking chances with music.  OVERall, I’m really impressed with this record, and hope Thank Me Later brings us more music of this caliber.

Drake – Over

Jadakiss always goes in for the Double-R, this track was off the Ryde or Die Vol. 2.  I love how the LOX lend vocals for each others hooks (Styles P on this one) without it even be credited … reminds me of Jada doing the same for Styles on the “Holiday” hook.  I’m constantly quoting this song when I say “I’m just happy to be here, ya know,” thats just how I feel.  Top 5 Dead or Alive.

Jadakiss – My Name is Kiss

Without a doubt, Innervisions is one of my favorite albums of all time.  It seems to just get better every time I listen to it.  With the exception of two songs that guitarist Paul Bollenback lent some writing ideas to, the rest of the album was entirely written, produced, and arranged by Stevie … at the age of 23.  I am impressed.  Actually, I’m amazed.  Thirty seven years, and twenty-two Grammy’s later, he is still writing and performing.

“A writer takes his pen… To write the words again…  That all in love is fair.”

Stevie Wonder – All In Love is Fair

“I Ain’t Mad at Cha” is Pac’s tribute to the friends and family that he knew before becoming famous.  He speaks on losing touch with certain people from his past, and also being treated differently after achieving his success… but overall, he ain’t mad.  Daz Dillinger used the melodies from “A Dream” by DeBarge to construct the beat, and Danny Boy provided the soulful vocals for the hook.  2Pac wrote on a deeper level than his peers, this record is a great example of that.

2Pac – I Ain’t Mad at Cha

Gang Starr’s music has had a profound influence on East Coast hip-hop since their first album back in 1989.  DJ Premier’s sample based production was what originally made me want to make beats.  And on the mic, Guru’s complex, yet uniquely monotone rhyme style was always one of a kind – never to be duplicated.  Sadly, Guru suffered a major heart attack yesterday and is currently in a coma.  His fate at this point is unknown, so we can only hope for the best – and to be able to still hear more original Gang Starr music.  He will forever be Rap “Royalty.”

Gang Starr – Royalty

First off I would like to apologize for the lack of posts this weekend.  The storm Thursday night left me trapped at my house for days with no power – not ideal.  I am going to try to put up a lot of good music this week to make up for the days off.

Since the official Sample Saturday was missed this weekend, I figured I would return with a similar type of post.  William Bell’s “I Forgot To Be Your Lover” is just a fantastic record overall.  The first four bars are as good as it gets, which is probably why they have been so heavily sampled by hip hop producers. One of those instances brought about Jaheim’s “Put That Woman First,” which also covers some of the song’s lyrics.  Enjoy them both.

William Bell – I Forgot To Be Your Lover

Jaheim – Put That Woman First