On the Sofa: American Gangsta Sound Track

So I'm going to take a shot at an album that isn't exactly an album but is definitely an iconic masterpiece , created by an iconic hip hop artist. We all know, Jay-Z is the self proclaimed, and some stats may agree, best rapper. His street wise demeanor projects in his music louder than the beat themselves at times. His lyrics speak of the things he has been through and what he knows. His subjects are raw with hard hitting lyrics and a b-boy style flow. Yet with this album, he set himself FAR apart from any other! Again....


There have been MANY great movie sound tracks that captured the passion, pain and pleasure of the movies they represent. Oh so y'all gonna make me name some!? OK, well what about the Set It Off soundtrack? 8 Mile, which by the way Jay-Z was on. Brown Sugar....Hey y'all get the point. There are plenty more out there too. But there are two things that set the American Gangsta soundtrack apart from those. The first is the fact that it is ALL Jay-Z on the tracks with the acception of a couple features from various artist. Jay-Z felt that this movie was a great opportunity to create a new concept album that depicts his experience as a street hustler. Though the album never officially became the movies soundtrack, it sold over 1 million copies in the U.S. and featured lines from the movie. The way he came with beats that seemed to explore the 80's style of rhythm. The way he made references to the same time frame the movie did. The way he was able to paint the picture of the "swagger" displayed back in that day and time. That is what made this a classic.


My personal opinion on it, if you choose to hear it, this was and still is the best (though unofficial) movie soundtrack that has hit the scene. I mean lets be real, You don't get many of them that paint the FULL picture in detail of the movie. You get a few tracks that bring you back to a scene or two. You have some that remind you of the whole movie but that's the only song you heard from the whole soundtrack. But this one, this was more of an album. Yet and still its a great listen the whole way through. The features were great as well, to include Beanie Sigel, Lil Wayne, Nas and the singer Bilal. But it just seemed to me that the man Jay-Z could have went on forever with tracks like these. He spoke of what he's seen, knows and felt/feels. To me that is a HUGE rule of thumb in music. Speak what you know feel and the truth and you can't go wrong.

HIP HOP RATER

HH- OF COARSE! I mean it's Jay-Z for starters. But the album...enough said!

OH- You already know as he said himself, he is "held as one of the greatest writers of the 21st centry" and makes "thought provoking $h!+" Its very evident.

This album...or soundtrack...or whatever it may be considered, is a true masterpiece and thats why it is On the Sofa to day. To wrap it all up, salute to the man Jay-Z. Thats how you tell a story!

On the Sofa: Get Rich or Die Tryin'

GET RICH OR DIE TRYN'

Well it has been a while since I've put a post on the sofa. I've been wrapped up musically in my personal project and focused on other things as well. But I did however come to a point and time where there was nothing new I felt I wanted to purchase or even listen to in iTunes. This state of mind lead me to thinking of "oldies but goodies" and I found myself coming across one that EVERYONE loved, but most have forgotten. Yes, im talking about an album that as of 2011 sold eight million copies making it the fourth best-selling rap album in the US!

A man by the name of Curtis "50 cent" James Jackson III <-- (i just found about the III myself.) came on the scene officially with his album Get Rich or Die Tryin which jumped out and topped the charts from the start. Released February 4th, 2003, this album came with a mix of gangsta rap, up tempo beats, stories of his life and the situations and lessons that came of it. To me it seemed 50 cent focused on the way he came up, and how he feels and thinks of the world. Alot of his influence on this album came from his rough up bringing on the streets of the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queens in New York City. In my eyes, this album was a perfect example of a rapper actually making good music from talking about what they KNOW, not what they dream up or watched on movies and tv. With that said, this album mad a tremendous debute. Within a few days of it's release, this album sold almost one million copies! To be more precise, in about 4 days, the album sold 872,000 copies. By December of the year of its release, Get Rich or Die Tryin' had reach an astonishing six million copies sold in the United States. Yes! Certified sextuple platinum. The album went up against OutKast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below for a Grammy Award for Best rap Album but lost. Still without the Grammy it stands as one of the greatest.


With a single song, In Da Club, being noted as the MOST listened to song in radio history, there were a plethera of hits on this album that became instant classics. Another single P.I.M.P, hit the charts just as well being number 3 on the Billboard top 100. Even though that is a "big deal", that actually made it the FIRST single from the album that DID NOT top out at number 1. Give the man credit! Around that time and on thru 2005 maybe even as far as 2006, you didnt hit a club or turn on the radio without hearing his name or song. Not only In Da Club and P.I.M.P, but there was Wanksta and 21 Questions as well. Wanksta, being the debute single, which ya'll know yall were smack in front of the TV when 106 and park dropped that joint. I personally was thinking "Yo, this dude goin hard at SOMEBODY!"


Thats when that Benz truck he was ridin started poppin up EVERYWHERE. Funny side story about that. I live acrossed the street in GA from a lady who was dating an Atlanta DJ Greg Street at that time. I had never seen that truck actually. Next thing you know I saw a silver one across the street and Greg Street jumping out. Then its in 50 cents video. Im thinkin " Dang! This a rich a^# DJ. He got the 50 joint!" Haha!...Anyway.

HIP HOP RATER

HOP- This album came with that gangster swag that most would be scared to carry. He mentions his life threatening shootout AND names those involved. Alot of songs talk of how people want him dead and then DARES them to act on it. DAT DUDE CRAY!


PP- This album brought a couple hits you heard on the radio from the day they dropped until about 2 or 3 years ago. I mentioned such earlier and they cant be denied.


This album was, and as far as the facts go, still is one of the best. Alot of tough guy talk goin on. But at least is proven fact on most of the stuff the man is rapping about. He was in the drug game, he spoke on it. He's been to jail, he mentioned that. He had "Many Men" (one of my favorite) who had problems with him. I just give him the respect as an artist for being real and presenting good music and keepin rap alive along with the rest of the real lyricist.

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On the Sofa: Take Care

On the Sofa is a section Ive decided to dedicate to new albums and mix tapes that deserve a blog spot light. So to kick it off...

Drake - Take Care

This album is definitely a new favorite. The kid Drake always puts out nice joints. The thing that keeps me listening to him is his infinite ability to appeal to more than just the same old audience. He seems to know somethings that most rappers do not recognize and that is in this new day and age, there is a new crowd attracted to hip hop. Race and age are less of a variable these days as far as who listens to and purchases your music. Drake can play at a middle school dance or a club downtown and be appropriate for both. Yet he can play different songs for each occasion and do just as well.

Hip Hop Rater:

Hip, definitely music of this day and time. Appealing to the youth and still grown enough for the rest of us.

Hop, when I say this man took it back and put a twist on (what some people consider) a classic!? Just check out the joint "Practicing". On top of the fact that he can drop some songs in a hip hop club and be heard down the block at another club the exact opposite.

Pop, jumpin off in the club like always with Drake.

Now, it doesn't surprise me that I have heard a little hating about this mix tape. Ive heard "He talks about the same things." and also, "His lyrics are the 'expected' type." VERY understandable, and I'm not running to his defense. BUT...regardless if its the same or he switched it up, his delivery is phenomenal. He has that style that, granted could get old very soon, is definitely working in his favor and worth a listen everytime. Two artist that I turn the radio up for when I hear they have a verse on a new song is T.I. and Drake. They bring it everytime no matter what. To me they both have the same topics when they flow. Not in comparison to each other but in the sense of their personal experiences being expressed in their tracks. But if you aint bein real and speakin what you know then what you spittin for? I dont know man, thats just me.

Anyway, the joint "Take Care" was off the chains in my eyes. Get wit it for real. Shout out to the boy Drake.

The Mixtape

Welcome back to the sofa. I figured it was about time to let yall see where my passion is. What I love to do. Check it out and let me know what yall think. This is your chance to use the Hip Hop Rater!


Myself and the crew I flow with put out a bit of a sample from all of our tapes into one.... This is Group Therapy

http://www.divshare.com/download/14695222-c58

Him

Sun beat face toddler hanging from her waist,

pissed at the number 9 bus she just chased,

Baby sitter was late and the job wouldnt wait,

had to drop her son off with her auntie Kate,

But auntie Kate aint the best cause she does meth,

but she the closest in walking distance there is no one left,

Wonderin if the jobs worth it cause it really aint the best,

all it seems to be everyday is added on stress,

It barely covers the bills plus two managers got killed,

in the past two years from dudes tryna take some bills,

She does her work in a trance feelin like it isnt real,

and hums verses to her songs hopin one day to get a deal,

And every dude that walk in tryna order a happy meal,

wana know when she get off so they can try to catch a thrill,

She just put on a slight smile as they staring in her grill,

still payin them no mind knowin they wont keep it real,

By the end of the shift feet hurtin from slavin,

still gotta pick up little man so on her way again.

About 5 blocks and two stops past the stadium,

excited to see little man thinkin what she will say to him,

Knockin on the door no answer or movement,

thinkin that aunt is inside high and stupid,

Found her passed out high wit some man on top,

paid them no attention hopin he get what she got,

Searchin thru the place but something seem wrong,

ask her aunt where is her son, her reply was "gone",

Said she needed a hit she traded him to fly,

said the man with the wings took him before she said bye,

As she began to cry reachin to take her aunts life,

a sweet sound said mommy and it came from the right,

She ran grabbed and hugged her son who was ok,

he told her bout his day and how he and the man with wings played,

Said the man said hide in the closet mommys on the way,

said he stood by him and taught him how to pray,

Said the man said not to be scared and he wasnt at all,

yelled "and thats him mommy" pointing to a picture of Jesus on the wall.