Yo, we got some dope albums droppin’ today! First and foremost — GO COP EAR DRUM! Talib Kweli’s new CD is HOT. I must say that it may, just may, be better than Common’s Finding Forever. I know that’s a bold statement, but this album is straight FIRE! Check out my review below. I’m really excited about this; it’s turning out to be a great summer for hip hop. We got new CDs from Common, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, Guru, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and in a few weeks Kanye West. Those are all albums you should have in your collection — highly recommended by yours truely!
Also out today is the new Swizz Beatz joint, One Man Band Man. That one’s worth checkin’ out too.
That’s not it though! We also got new albums from the legendary Brand Nubian and CL Smooth. Those should be worth checkin’ out.
And if that ain’t enough, R. Kelly is droppin’ the sequel to 2005’s Trapped in the Closet with Chapters 13-22 and on DVD nonetheless.
Talib Kweli: Ear Drum
One of the best-known and most acclaimed rappers in hip-hop, Talib Kweli makes his Warner Bros. debut with his first album on his own label, Blacksmith. Eardrum, his fourth solo album, delivers music that matters, that both sparks the mind and makes the body move. Solidifying Kweli’s status among rap’s most talented and important voices, Eardrum deserves to be heard.
Check out my review of Ear Drum for the full tracklisting and track by track review. This is an album that should not be slept on!
Swizz Beatz: One Man Band Man
One Man Band Man is the solo debut album from record producer Swizz Beatz. Intended to be released on June 5, 2007, it was pushed back a first time to July 17, 2007 and ultimately to August 21, 2007. Talk about anticipation!! I’ve been waiting for this one all summer!
Guests included Drag-On, Lil’ Wayne, R. Kelly, Jadakiss and Chris Martin of Coldplay. Swizz Beatz himself has produced half of the album, with other producers contributing such as Needlz, also new-comers Young World Music and more. Check out my review of One Man Band Man for the full tracklisting and track by track review!
Brand Nubian: Time’s Runnin’ Out
Brand Nubian formed after Grand Puba’s original group, Masters Of Ceremony, split up. Their first single “Brand Nubian” dropped in 1989 and their debut album, One For All, was released in 1990. Critically acclaimed, the album drew fire for militant rhetoric on tracks like “Drop the Bomb” and “Wake Up.”
After pursuing individual careers, Grand Puba, Lord Jamar, Sadat X and DJ Alamo reunited in 1997 after contributing a song to the Soul in the Hole soundtrack, titled “A Child Is Born” as well as releasing the underground single “Rockin It.” The success of both songs propelled the group to record their second album with all four original members.
Most people believed that the album entitled The Foundation from 1998 was their reunion album, but it is in fact the Time’s Runnin’ Out album, unheard and shelved until now that would lead the quartet back into the recording studio to recapture and reclaim the iconic sound of the One For All album. Featuring production handled by Puba, Jamar, Alamo with help from DITC legend Lord Finesse and Slick Rick producer/DJ Vance Wright, this is must have for Brand Nubian and the vintage Hip Hop collectors in general.
Tracklist:
- Intro
- Seen Enough
- Girls, Girls, Girls
- One Time (original version)
- Scientists of Sound
- Time’s Runnin’ Out
- Brand Nu Hustle
- Once Again
- Rockin’ It
- I Wanna Hear It
- A Child is Born (original version)
- Right Here
- Enjoy Yourself
- Go Hard
- Somebody Told a Lie
CL Smooth: The Outsider
CL Smooth, half of the legendary and influential “golden era” hip hop duo Pete Rock & CL Smooth, created many classic rap anthems during the 90s including “T.R.O.Y.”, “Straighten It Out”, and “Lots Of Lovin”. CL has one of most recognizable voices in all of hip hop and he’s back to bless the mic once again.
After the pair split in 1995, CL Smooth remained musically inactive for about 10 years, only appearing on five isolated tracks with his former partner and declined even to appear as a guest on other artists’ albums, with the exception of a track called “Only the Strong Survive” with DJ Krush. Recently, however, he has contributed vocals to songs by AZ and Dipset affiliate JR Writer.
He released his debut solo album, American Me early this year. This CD, The Outsider is considered a companion piece to that album, further showcasing his relevance with a bunch of new tracks, remixes by J Period, Drawzilla and B Rock, plus live versions of some of his old mid 90s classics. Guests vocalists include Butta Verses (De La Soul associate), JR Writer, Scales of Nappy Roots, and Young Breed. The Outsider is hosted by So So Def’s “Da Franchize” DJ Shakim of the Heavy Hitters and Super Friends DJ Crews, and with one listen, you’ll realize that CL’s voice still has the impact it did when it first was heard on the All Souled Out EP back in 1991.
Tracklist:
- Intro… All We Ever Know
- I Need a Boss (Remix)
- No Justice
- Impossible (J Period Remix)
- I Gotta Love (Live! In Holland)
- Down With The Kings (Live!)
- Warm Outside (Drawzilla Remix)
- Gorilla Pimpin
- Is It Really You?
- The Outsider
- Get Back
- Straighten it Out (Live! In Holland)
- Love is a Battlefield
- War of the Roses
- Smoke in the Air (Live! In Holland)
- Who You Gonna Trust?
- Mezmorized (B Rock Remix)
- Heaven Only Know (Remix)
- American Gangster
- American Me (Live! In Holland)
- T.R.O.Y. (Live! In Holland)
- Dj Shakim outro
R. Kelly: Trapped in The Closet Chapters 13-22 DVD
R. Kelly has created a cultural phenomenon of which no one has seen before. His truly original and fresh urban operetta Trapped in the Closet earned him numerous accolades, including a Grammy nomination. The media and the world were captivated with each episode as a new cliffhanger unfolded with every word in this unique rhyming soap-opera sung to a melody. Now the tale continues with Chapters 13 to 22, featuring brand new characters and plot twists that are sure to capture the imagination of the public once again.
I wasn’t really a big fan of the previous Trapped in the Closet series, but the story was entertaining. Let’s hope Kells switched up the music this time around!
Features included:
Recap of Chapters 1-12
Chapters 13 - 22
Trapped Behind the Scenes - a sneak peek from the set
All chapters available in 5.1 sound
All footage shot and edited in Hi Definition
Bonus features are unrated
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