As I take some time today out to rotate my IT stock and sneaker game from winter to get my thing on schedule for summer(Chicago has no Spring), Im listening to music and thinking to myself---Rap is Back. That's right, it's back. and don't tell me it never left because it did. It was on hiatus for 5 years and came back this week. Sure there were dope MC's here during the 5 year stretch, but were specialty or boutique rappers. Like MF Doom, who is one of those that held it down during those 5 years, but you all know, Doom aint for everybody and we like it that way. It's the same with Ghostface, Joell Ortiz, Madlib, Pacific Division. That was YO shit and nobody elses, and you kinda liked it that way. It takes a different type of sound to move the masses. And that was void for 5 years. DJ's relied HEAVILY on old school to get a party into full swing.
Fast forward to April 2009, my New Year month... This, internets is a great time for rap. Last Tuesday I purchased the first two CD's that I've bought in a 5 years. Everything since 2004 has been Lemonwired or given to me and I don't check for mixtapes for the obvious reasons--DJ's put way too much emphasis on being the first to have a record without concentrating on the song having merit. Then theres the annoying verbage over songs, just to show you that their the first to have the song, or to place their bum ass patent on a song that they dont even like. Again, in the immortal words of the "Creator" one of the top 5 hip hop songs ever made, T.R.O.Y., Pete Rock..."exclusive sh*t, it really holds no weight." Word Is Bawn.
Here are the joints:Rick Ross- Deeper than Rap & Asher Roth - Asleep in the Bread Aisle I went out and bought these two CDs and they're the first CD's that i've purchased in 5 years and that gives me the authority to review them. I'll start with Rick Ross. Given the circumstances, this dude was SUPPOSED to fail. Hell, I WANTED him to fail. First he came on the scene with the Miami drug cartel tough talk, like most rappers do, which is totally some science fiction on all levels. We all KNOW this, don't we? He took that posturing a bit too far by saying he didn't like the way the multi-millionaire x5, 50Cent looked at him at a industry function one evening. Looked at him?Imagine that. A real bitchified way to create beef, 'specially from the "biggest boss that you seen thus far". 50, went on to expose Rick's hidden past as a former corrections officer. Imagine that? An honest living. god forbid. 50 also went on to inform us through hilarious internet videos that he will ruin Officer Rickys life by dragging family matters into the game. Makes for a great movie, in a CB4 kinda way. Ross answers with nothing. Nothing but vague denial, and the infamous "BAWSE!", and in the meantime, quietly works on a masterpiece of a CD. Upon hearing the first single, with its lush, air-tight production, and the slickest of slick talk, I was compelled to go out and purchase the joint, I spent the extra papes and copped the deluxe edition, and it did not dissapoint. I can't front. Remember, I WANTED this dude to fail. but cot-damn if he didn't do his numbers, and rightfully so. With tough talk and Dre-like production this dude wins. as some would say, "sonically cohesive"...whatever that means, shit is dope, kid!
Asher took a minute to grow on me, even still he did. His tribute to fraternity antics, "I love college" was clever and we could see it turning into an anthem for college kids. But upon hearing a couple more joints from the kid, I knew he was official. Party people got so caught up in tough talk that they can't feel this kid, so I knew going in that he was gonna do his thing, but it would not be easy. Also, you have to factor in the Eminem stans that really want this dude to BE Em. So once heard, they considered this dude soft and biter and discrace to white rapdom. White hardrocks mad this dude ain't near black. He's definitely none of those things. He's got his own steez, and as much as you want him to be Em, he aint. And bottom line, any dude that can bring the ladies back to the hip hop party is definitely official with that alone,B! Asher's album if definitely not classic, but damn sure better than most hip hop CDs that are out today and worth hearing and bonus DVD story is worth watching.
So, if comparisons are being made, then I'll say this--50, them Pimpin' Curly videos are funny as f*ck, but step ya' game up! you set it up for Ross to fail and he in turn made a monster of a CD that the Def Jam Machine is adding more fuel to. Em, you too! They say you always go left field with your first single, but that new sh*t is gahbij. hot gahbij. Asher is winning. All these drug stories and execution style murders on CD are falsehoods and lies, and it's all about how convincing your role is. Wood Harris smashed The wire, and this is why 2 years after the last episode, he walks down the street, people call him Avon, and are mad @ him for having his mans merk'd. You gotta do the same with your gangsta rap steez if your wish is to win...get in where you fit, B! Next up, Duo Live, MF Doom, DeLa, Jay Electronica.
I'm often asked, "Whats your greatest shoe of all time?" and the answer will forever be the same - The Nike Air Max 1, Red/White. When this shoe dropped, most cats thought the air bubble was a little too futuristic, but I was immediately drawn to it. I wanted to see how it felt to walk on a pillow of air. I went to Athlete's Foot® and tried them on and they felt good, but not as orgasmic as I'd imagined. But walking over to see how they look in the full length mirror on the other, I knew that this was THAT shoe. I looked at the saleswoman in the mirror and she had that look. Like she knew she had a sale. Like she knew I had the future on my feet. She was correct in her assumptions. I did not hesitate to pay her what I can remember was $100 dollars. That was my first too. $100 for a pair of kicks. I didn't dare tell my parents what I'd paid for them, since I was living at home at the time and my share of the rent was late.
I think I had maybe 5 different outfits that were worked around these shoes, and everytime I wore them, somebody would always say, "I seen those in the store but they didn't look right, but now that I see them on somebodys feet, I may have to get 'em" or girls would say "You rockin' them sneakers right!". I guess thats where the "walking on air" concept came into play. Tinker smashed the game with the AM1, and while there are 100's of different colorways, the red/white/grey/black is at the top of the heap. I've gone through 4 pairs because the clean-up on the driver heel was, and still is, horrible. Today, I'm looking to cop the 5th pair despite that issue.
Me & the homie, SupaCee...circa 1989-90.
Worry not, if you have this product. My friend at the Norwegian company, SWIMS®, have taken clunky grandpa galoshes and elevated them to the next level. I own two pairs of these, so I know...you will stay winning with a pair of the classics or for the snow, go with the Mobster. 
They come in flavors so you can actually style on 'em! You HAVE to keep a pair in your backpack or in the bottom drawer of the office desk, just as you would an umbrella. Speaking of which, SWIMS' umbrella game is official issue too! With the auto-up/auto-down button!?!? c'mon, B! Peep how functional that is, coming in from the rain and trying close an umbrella with one hand without getting soaked. 
So get your shoe game covered and cop a pair @ Sak's or go to swims.com and tell 'em DirtyJerz sent ya'!You hunted all winter and copped kicks with your hard earned money....may as well protect your investments! 
artwork courtesy of 
This Eskimo inspired Nike Terminator Hi Womens, is definitely for that Sarah Palin supporter, Fa' sho!
Posts
