Clipse Wave Good Bye To Jive, And Hello To Rick Rubin

OK this has to be the single greatest news in new Hip-Hop history!!! I geeked all over the house when I read the article. If you can not tell by the title then you are pretty dim. My favorite two man group, while besides Little Brother has left on of the worst majors for Hip-Hop to one that is turning out to be the best. That's right folks those Clipse boys have left the house that Clive Davis and LA Reid built for the house that Rick Rubin and Hip-Hop (famous for managing Just Blaze and Kanye West) are rebuilding.

So here is how it happened. It has kind of been a slow process but good things come to those who wait. Everybody knows by now the kind of drama the Clipse, The Neptunes, and Star Trak (The Neptunes label) had with releasing the Clipse second album Hell Hath No Fury. If you don't I will do a quick run down for you. The Clipse first album Lord Willin came out in the summer of 2002. With the hit “Grindin'” and “When the Last Time” fueling the album it quickly became a classic album and certified gold in its first month and the Clipse became a household name. The album also took The Neptunes sky rocketing into super producer-dom as they became the go to guys for any album. And the star of the label got even brighter when The Neptunes released there Attack of the Clones album. But when the Clipse started working on material for their second album things went into a full stop.

The Neptunes and their Star Trak label along with artist the Clipse, Kelis, Fam-Lay on Def Jam, and N.E.R.D on Virgin got caught in the Jive being redone by their parent label Zomba. The merger caused all of the project for Star Trak to be halted. The contract tie up with Jive resulted in a four year hold up for the Clipse album, Kelis leaving the label, Fam-Lay's debut on Def Jam to never happen, and N.E.R.D to have problems with Virgin Records resulting in them leaving the label. Star Trak did not take long to get back up though The Neptunes signed a label deal for their artist with power house label Interscope who also has Dr.Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, Timbaland's Mosley Music Group, and Swizz Beats' Full Surface. But in order to do that The Neptunes had to leave Kelis and the Clipse on previous parent label Jive because those two acts already had steady contracts. When the Clipse, Star Trak, and Jive finally worked out a deal for the Hell Hath No Fury album it was a bitter sweet one. The Clipse were no longer signed to Star Trak, but would still have the album produced by The Neptunes, and the album would be distributed by the Clipse label Re-Up Records and Jive. The album that finally came out after four years and two dated push backs was a dark, brooding album that got tons of praise and another classic rating. Despite the classic rating and rave reviews the album was a commercial disappointment not striking gold like the last but straight lead with a mere 78,000 copies sold. But while Jive had cut them off before the album was even dropped someone was paying attention.

Hip-Hop the man famous for constructing Jay-Z's Blueprint album and for taking two unknowns by the names of Just Blaze and Kanye West and turning them into the elite of new school Hip-Hop producers, was paying attention to the Clipse boys. Also a man by the name of Rick Rubin was paying attention to Hip Hop and the work he was doing and called him to be President of Columbia Urban, the label that Rick Rubin was redoing. As a side bar, if you do not know who Rick Rubin is delete every Hip-Hop/Rap song on your iPod and don't put them back on till you know who this man is and what he has done. Ok back to the editorial. So with Hip Hop becoming the new president of a urban department that has seen its share of trouble he automatically started recruiting. He had his eyes set on Jim Jones, Remy Ma, and the Clipse to start out with. It seems Hip Hop's dream starters started arriving before anyone could blink. Jim Jones was the first to sign. His deal resulted in a joint deal between Koch and Columbia, in which Koch handled all of the radio promotion and marketing with Columbia handling distribution and everything else. Not even a week and a half later the Clipse were official signed. The Clipse deal resulted in distribution for their Re-Up label and deal for them and their artist. Now as a result the Clipse plan on releasing an album in 2009 along with a Re-Up Gang (the Clipse, SandMan, and Ab-Liva) album. Also their new album is not only being worked on by The Neptunes, but also fellow VA producers Timbaland and Danja, and Dame Grease.

Here is also something interesting, not even a week after the Clipse were dropped by Jive and picked up by Columbia, former labelmate Kelis was also dropped from Jive. And a few months ago Papoose who was suppose to be Jive's poster child was also dropped even though he signed a multi-million dollar deal. So is Jive weeding out there core urban department? I mean they still have UGK, T-Pain, Chris Brown, The Pack, Ciara, Anthony Hamilton, Huey, J-Kwon, Dre, Donell Jones, Lil Mama, OutKast, R.Kelly, Sean P. of the YoungBloodz, Too $hort, and Usher. Now their actually cash cows are R.Kelly, OutKast, Usher, Chris Brown, T-Pain, and maybe Ciara. But the rest are expendable. Like Jive does not even need a urban department at all. And what about Columbia? They have DMX, John Legend, Beyonce, Three Six Mafia, Bow Wow, Ray Cash, and Omarion...really as far as Hip-Hop goes Columbia is a little light. So things are changing the industry again. Some for the better, some for the worst.

Aight Lil X is signing off!!! Enjoy!!! I'm out like ummmm ummmm damn!!! I'm running out of stuff to say!!! Uggggg!! I'm out...

Xcalibur Prime

Coming Soon: The Roc Files....

OK loyal Hip-Hop Spill fans I am going to give you something that I have been cooking up for a while now....while not now now, but now later. Up until and after the release of Jay-Z's new album American Gangster, I am going to be doing ongoing pieces that I have dubbed The Roc Files. I know, I know there was a compilation album by the same name but this is not even connected with that. I will be breaking down the beginnings of The Roc, the happy days, the hard times, the label break up, and everything inbetween. Stick wit your boy and you will get all the skinny...

Peace Peace!!

Xcalibur Prime aka The Cartoon Gangster

A Little Less Blue Magic, But A Little More Gangsta

OK OK OK!! So we are less than a month away from the Jay-Z concept album that is coming out. There are two reasons I am excited about this movie. One Jay-Z has not dedicated himself to an album of this caliber since Reasonable Doubt or the Blueprint. Second American Gangster the album is being inspired by American Gangster the movie that is starring Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas one of the baddest sons of a SHUT YO MOUTH, in the 70's. Enough playing around lets get to what I was here for.

Well after doing some searching around I figured out who was doing beats for the album, who was not, who is on the album, and the track listing. It looks like the usual suspects are behind Hova beat wise. The Neptunes make a trip from outer space to Earth to bless Hov a little, but according to Jay he does not know if Blue Magic will make the final cut and he might just make it a bonus track. Just Blaze is back in the building and hopefully he will give us some dope ass beats now that the stuff for Saigon is done for the time being. Kanye's new friend DJ Toomp is making an appearance on the album as a producer, which to me is so off base that it is perfect!! Speaking of Kanye, I heard he submitted two beats to Jay but Hova passed on them. Buuuuut Kanye's mentor and Jay-Z's friend No ID is on the album, which is a complete surprise to me. Grind Music partners Sean C and LV are doing a majority of the album. To top things off Jermaine Dupri has also done tracks for American Gangster AND P.Diddy and his Hitman Squad are involved as well. That is quite a list lil buddies! But there is no word if Dr. Dre will make a return appearance or Swizz Beats for that matter. It looks like the only guest appearances on the album are going to be Beanie Sigel on "Ignorant Shit" and Bilal on a track called "Fallen" which is not seen on the track listing I gave you last week. Sooo it looks like American Gangster might be getting an overhaul.

SO there you have it. Instead of one bonus track it looks like we are getting two or more according to Hov, and the list of producers is the same but a little different than we as Jay-Z fans are use to. Stick with me through if there are any changes in this grand scheme of things I will be sure to report it.

In the mean while in joy this American Gangster movie trailer and the video for "Blue Magic."

"Blue Magic" video


American Gangster movie trailer #1


American Gangster Trailer #2


OK I'm out!! Time for more Bleach and Legend of Zelda!! Out like Mike Vick yall!!!

Xcalibur Prime aka The #1 Cartoon Gangster

Do You Believe In Blue Magic?? I Do...

Well by now if you are any kind of Hip-Hop fan or fan of Jay-Z you know that he has a new album coming out on November the 6th. What you also might know is that the album will be coming out a week after the American Gangster Movie staring Denzel Washington and Russell Crow (two of my favorite actors). The new Hova album is suppose to be the unofficial soundtrack to the movie, hence the release dates being a week apart.

Now for those of you that don't know what American Gangster is about,it is about Frank Lucas, a common driver for a crime kingpin who becomes the leader of the pack after the original dies unexpectedly. Frank Lucas becomes a very power crime kingpin and ruled Harlem in the 1970's. Frank Lucas is being played by Denzel, while Russell Crow plays Richie Roberts, the cop that tries to take down Lucas. American Gangster also stars my boy Common and T.I..

So enough words here is the track listing for Jay-Z's American Gangster Album:

Amen

Blue Magic

Untitled

Alright, Alright

You Don’t Know

And The Winner Is

American Gangster

Welcome

Ignorant Shit

The Demise

I Get Money (Remix)

OK OK OK...yes I know the "I Get Money (Remix)" is on there but hey this is they only way you will get this 50 Cent remix...but I'm in it for Hova, ya know. So there is the track listing folks and that cover up top is the actually one...Gangsta right? Oh and as soon as the video is on the net I will make sure its all yours!!!

OK Xcalibur Prime signing off...you guys are lucky I took a break from the new Legend Of Zelda to share this with you...Yo I'm done like a steak!!!

Xcalibur

Album Review: KanYe West - Graduation

COT DAMN!!!! How long has it been folk!? DAMN a year really? Word...OK OK OK, but ya boy is back though and what better way to come back than to do a review on easily the best Hip-Hop album of the year. What album you say? Well KanYe West's Graduation!!! So let's jump into the biz and stop play like Wii and get into it...hitting the keys parts of the album.

The album starts off with you traditional KanYe West wake up, good morning joint. Well the song that kicks off the album is called "Good Morning." Ye goes through the regular motions of how he barely passed, cheated on every test, look at every ass instead of doing work, and gets to the classic line of the teacher tell him "You got D's mu***** D's, Rosie Perez!!" Classic!! And he says it with such emotion that it is one of the funnier lines in the album. The song raps up with a glorious sample of J-Hova (Jay-Z for the uneducated). This will be the only "appearance" by J on the album folks....sorry...

Next up is the song "Champion." The song uses a sample that is odd to Hip-Hop fans but right for the song and what Ye is doing. "Kid Charlemagne" by Steely Dan is the sample and makes the song. This song is a favorite personal favorite of mine. Subject matter is how the fans see him in their eyes, what his pops and mom did to make sure he was straight, and normal Ye ish. The track is very high energy and leaves you wanting more seeing that it is the shortest song on the album.

"Let's get lost tonight/ you can be my black Kate Moss tonight..." You know what’s coming right!? "Stronger!!!" Yeah the thing fans of the song will realize is that the song sounds completely different that what they are use to with the radio version. Did the sample change? No same Daft Punk sample...but what did change is the drums. Did anyone notice how much harder the drums hit? I did!! And that was all do to every ones favorite VA chubby boy turned Incredible Hulk, Timbaland. Yes I know...OMG Timbo and Ye on a track!! Well its sounds good on CD and on paper and this is only the first time it was done on the album. Stand alone banger for years to come...

"I Wonder" the next song is another personal favorite of mine because of the catchy sample and the way it's chopped. Using "My Song" by Labi Siffre, the song is a glorious experience that only Ye can provide, with Jon Brion (From Late Registration) on the keyboard and Omar Edwards on piano and synth for help. Jon Brion and Omar Edwards are what make this song for me personally...what can I say I am a sucker for the keys...maybe that’s why I like Alicia Keys so much..Hmmmmm...

WELCOME TO THE GOOD LIFE!!! "Good Life" is the first DJ Toomp (of T.I. fame) on the album. You can tell because of the thicka than a snicka synth sounds in the song. This song is also getting some help from the Incredible Hulk aka Timbaland for more drum programming. Also on the song is every ones favorite rapper turned singer T-Pain. I have to say that I have never heard T-Pain sound so good before and you know what it is probably because he is under the direction of Ye. But the beat itself is a triple threat because of the mixture of Ye, Timbo, and Toomp...kinda like the new Celtics, Garnett, Pierce, and Allen. Just something to think about.

"La La La La wait till I get my money right..." Well Ye is past that point but that is the chorus for "Can't Tell Me Nothing." One thing you will notice is the Jeezy ad-libs and yes that is him. The song originally was meant for Jeezy but he past on it and Ye decided to use it for himself. This song also brings back Toomp for a return appearance. The thick haunting synth cords make the song what it is...an ode to how you can't say ish to Ye because he has heard it all before.

The next song is one that no one thought was going to be on the album. "Barry Bonds" is another ego boosting song for Ye where his gets to brag a lil...well a lot. This is the first song on the album that Ye didn't do the beat for. The thickness of it makes you think Toomp since that has been the theme thus far. But it is actually Nottz who does a wonderful job at bringing the best out of Ye and Lil Wayne. This guest spot, beside all his numerous others, is the best I have heard Weezy in a long time, maybe because he was not hyped up on that syrup. Being the only rapper guest appearance on the album I was saddened to see that Jay-Z was not on this one. I'm not saying take out Weezy, but add J to it. Just saying....

"Drunk And Hot Girls" is the Mos Def assisted song on the album. I was shocked to see that Mos was singing and not spitting hot fire like he is known for. But Ye and Black Dante make it work all so nicely. The song details of how Ye turns to mess wit a drunk and hot girl but it ends up not going his way. And then the chorus kicks in "We go through to much bulls*** to mess with these drunk and hot girls." Mos Def's singing really does set off the song, making this a funny yet true song.

"Flashing Lights" is another song that hits you right from the jump making it an easy favorite. The song details how much Ye hates being caught by the media's flashing light, but is also an ode to his girl and how much he wants to spend time with her but the flashing light of the biz keep him busy. Hook wise we hear from an underground R&B favorite. Dwele anyone??? Yeah the dude is dope and you know it so quit hating. An added bonus the song is sample free!! And sounds damn good!!! So to all those who say Ye can't do a song without a sample kill ya self, cause he can!!!

"Everything I Am" is another song that was meant for someone else but ended up being Ye's. The song was meant for Common, but ended up in Ye's pocket cause Com already had a DJ Premiere assisted song on his album. And yes I said it Premo is on the chorus doing his scratch magic. I love that old skool cats like Premo are coming back around because the game needs it. Next song...

"The Glory" which contains a sample from Laura Nyro's "Save the Country" and Mountain's "Long Red" is chopped nicely and almost J.Dilla (R.I.P) like. The chorus is awesome because Ye calls in the whole family and then some to help out, most noticeable Mos Def and John Legend. The song is another feel good high energy KanYe joint that you should be use to by now but if not get use to it because he will have more to come.

Every artist worth their salt pays homage to where they came from and proud of being from there. Ye does his thing and does a whole sound about his favorite girl Windy. It details from talking about meeting her, leaving her, and about the kids he left behind that are just like him. The chorus is done by Chris Martin who happens to be Hip-Hops favorite white guy seeing as he has also done songs with Jay-Z and Swizz Beats. Again a non sample KanYe song that comes off beautifully. And with percussion done by Jon Brion it is all sweet.

The last song is not produced by KanYe, but his new friend DJ Toomp. "Big Brother" is an ode to Jay-Z which might come off as a diss at first but is actually a show of respect to Hova. Ye recounts the times that he had with Hova and about how he feels like the little brother that was always told to go in the house because he was not old enough to play with the big boys. Ye goes on to say that in order to be on par with big brother he will have to beat him at his own game. The song is my most personal favorite because I have two bros that have my utmost respect and have thought me and are still teaching me to play with the big boys.

The cover art work for the album is awesomely amazing!! It is done by Takashi Murakami and I checked his artwork out and this dude is so the business!! Check him out PLLEEEEAAAAASSSSEEE!!!

So that does it folks!!! My grand reintroduction back into Hip-Hop blogging. Don't be surprised if I start adding some comic book and game stuff to the mix cause those too are tied in with Hip-Hop.

Alright I'm crashing like a plane, and enjoy this video from KanYe...Welcome to the G.O.O.D Life!!!