The Message Blog: Joe Budden

Review - Chali 2na - Fish Outta Water

Posted by Wally $ean On July 14, 2009

The tile of Chali 2na's debut solo album Fish Outta Water is perfecting befitting the former Jurassic 5 emcee, and not just because of the fish connection. In respects to both his syrupy delivery and off-kilter content, Chali's always been something of a black sheep in the industry. His iconoclastic emceeing even put him at odds with his fellow 5 members...Fish Outta Water photographically captures a wide variety of emotions and circumstances from the perspective of deep-voiced emcee. While the album lags to molasses-slow pace at times, it's certainly a solid effort from one of Hip-Hop's most talented and underrated emcees.

Review - The Alchemist - Chemical Warfare

Posted by Wally $ean On July 12, 2009

California's the Alchemist is one of this current generation's most iconoclastic producers. He's been fortunate enough to be featured as the musical backdrop for everyone from Mobb Deep to Dilated Peoples. But Al isn't content with being one of the top go-to producers of the decade. His latest solo LP Chemical Warfare finds Al trying to take production to heights previously unreached. Yet despite the impressiveness of its diverse guest list and sound, Chemical Warfare falls inches short of being something truly great.

Review - Wu-Tang Clan - Chamber Music

Posted by Wally $ean On July 10, 2009

After the relative disappointment that was '07s 8 Diagrams, fans and critics alike began to seriously question whether the Wu was actually forever. The nine members were divided over a number of issues, from the RZA's beats to payment to the Wu's business team...Yet Wu fans have a little less reason to fear. While the Clan's latest release Chamber Music isn't an actual Wu-Tang Clan album (GZA, Meth and Masta Killa don't even appear on it), it's Wu-Tang all the way, from the gritty production to the pitch-perfect lyricism.

Review - Blaq Poet - Tha Blaqprint

Posted by Wally $ean On July 3, 2009

These past few years have been a drag for real hip-hop. When commercial artists weren't busy getting crunk or snapping their fingers for ringtone money, wimpy, sensitive types began to take over Brooklyn, dressing like the '80s but sounding absolutely nothing like it. And except for a few older gods and staunchly conservative up-and-comers, hardcore Hip-Hop's a thing of the past. But these hipsters and finger-snappers have reason to be afraid: just when you thought it was safe to rock tight pants and rapper over techno remixes of Lykke Li or only make the trap say "Aye!", the Poet has emerged from the depths of QB and he's out for blood.

Review - Grand Puba - RetroActive

Posted by Wally $ean On July 2, 2009

A lot of things in life don't age well at all: technology, dairy products, Mickey Rourke, just to name a few. Sadly, the emcee more often than not tends to be one of these things. In such a quickly evolving industry, the need to keep up with the times for some "golden era" rappers can be debilitating for their careers, if not utterly fatal. LL Cool J is a prime example; his most recent album illustrates the perishable nature of come rappers. Yet not all classic emcees fall prey to the mousetrap of age, and with his latest album RetroActive, Grand Puba shows how an emcee can be a fine wine in a industry of curdled milk.

Joe Budden - "Who Pt. 1"

Posted by Wally $ean On 11:21 AM

Joe Budden's released a new song called "Who pt. 1," in which he addresses who killed hip-hop. It's a great song and Joe really gets to the heart of the problem in mainstream hip-hop music. I also really dig the beat, which samples Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues." The song did get me thinking about the state of hip-hop. At this current point in time, I think hip-hop is more or less dead. Nowadays, it's all a numbers game; who sells and who doesn't seems to be defining an artist more than his music. Even if you look at MTV's Top Ten list from a couple months ago, you can that the only reason certain rappers are placed on that list is because they sell well. Kanye's good, but number one? No. And Rick Ross at number four? Hell no. Watch, if MTV were to put out a new Top Ten, Weezy'd be at number one and their reasoning wouldn't be because he's a great emcee (which, for the record, I think he's quite good). Anyway, enjoy the new Budden track. I've also posted up Mood Musik 3 (For Better or Worse) because it's such an ill mixtape.

Joe Budden - Who Pt. 1

Joe Budden - Mood Musik 3 (For Better or Worse)