Mary J hits the stu with KRS-ONE and Buckshot!

On August 25th, Buckshot (of Black Moon, and the 9th Wonder/Buckshot collabo albums) and KRS-ONE will be dropping a collaborative album. Wow, two legends teaming up like that is already something special. Add a Black Milk produced banger, and bring in MARY J BLIGE FOR THE HOOK!?!?!

They a’int playing games over there at Duck Down Records!!!!

Wale / Kooley High at Cat’s Cradle April 16th

Wow, the Triangle is getting spoiled with some super hot shows coming up. Just recently annouced, the Cat’s Cradle will be host to WALE and KOOLEY HIGH on Thursday April 16th. This is the day before the Foreign Exchange show there, and two weeks after the Pour House show with Kooley and Blu/Exile.

Go to www.catscradle.com to cop your tickets to this one today! Only $10 in advance and you know they gonna sell out!!

Where You At Wednesday : Rando’s Edition

Going to do it a little different this Wednesday and break you off with the WU@W RANDO EDITION. For this Rando Edition, and any to follow, we are going to WU@W some random folk and just straight up tell you what they are up too. These are going to be people that have fallen off the radar slightly, but may not be on-a-milk-carton-status just quite yet. Let me know if you enjoyed this or not, so I’ll know if it’s a popular thing to do every now and then. That’s what’s up, now down to business:

WHO: Kerry Kittles

WHY: Cause I was watching the NCAA Tournament this weekend, and it made me think of him. I also picked his Villanova Wildcats to the Final Four. Kittles was a pretty sick swingman in the league for some years. Played in those Finals with Jason Kidd against The Diesel’s Lakers one (maybe two straight, can’t remember who they played both times) years.

LAST TIME WE SAW THEM: For most, it was probably Kittles playing for the New Jersey Nets in 2004, though he had a brief stint in 2005 with the Clippers.

WHAT’S CRAC-A-LACKIN’ NOW: Word on the streets is he is now doing PR work for the Nets

WHO: Kadeem Hardison

WHY: Because I have never met one person who didn’t like Dwayne Wayne from “A Different World,” or the character that he plays in “White Men Can’t Jump,” with the hilarious line “We goin’ Sizzler, we goin’ Sizzler…”

LAST TIME WE SAW THEM: 1997′s “The Sixth Man” is a Hardison keeper, and a basketball movie that is pretty good to boot. You may have seen his small role in 2003′s “Biker Boyz”

WHAT’S CRAC-A-LACKIN NOW: 2 guest episodes 2 years ago on “Everybody Hates Chris”. A couple of movies in post-production for 2009 that I’ve never heard of.

WHO: Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez from “The Sandlot” (real name: Mike Vitar)

WHY: Dead Mike brought it up in the last “Big Soda & Popcorn” comments from the Underdog Stories Edition. Plus, everyone loved this kid in the movie

LAST TIME WE SAW THEM: He was playing Luis Mendoza in D2 and D3 for the “Mighty Ducks” trilogy in 1994 and 1996.

WHAT’S CRAC-A-LACKIN’ NOW: Got married in 2007, now a firefighter for the Los Angeles Fire Department. Hasn’t acted since one episode of “Chicago Hope” in 1997.

WHO: British pop singer, Des’ree

WHY: I have to be honest. I have no idea. This song randomly popped into my head the other day. I am not afraid to admit that I hate that song. Shit was all over the radio. More played out than a Enloe High School hoochie.

LAST TIME WE SAW THEM: The song above was tearin’ up the charts, and it was 1994

WHAT’S CRAC-A-LACKIN’ NOW: Released her last CD in 2003. In the spring of 2007, she was voted on BBC radio as “the worst pop lyricist of all -time”.

Foreign Exchange LIVE SIRIUS RADIO SET 3-7-09

The boys over at GETBACK ARMY were gracious enough to post this first. So hella-props to them. Thought I would share the love with y’all too.

Here is the LIVE Foreign Exchange full set from Sirius Radio on 3-7-09 for download!!!!! So ill. I’ve said it at least 15 times on this blog in the past two weeks…..really pumped for this show in a couple weeks. REALLY pumped.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Inflowential Selected for Urb Magazine’s “Next 100″

Big news for Inflowential this week. They were selected as a part of Urb Magazine’s “Next 100″ feature that highlights the next 100 hot bands/groups/artists on the scene. You can check out the blurb on them here and give the players a couple of plays while you’re there so those cats at Urb know we listening. Shout outs and congrats to Inflow! Doing it real big, son!

The Mixtape Monster’s Track-By-Track First Listen Review of Rapper Big Pooh’s “Delightful Bars”

Rapper Big Pooh of Little Brother’s “Delightful Bars – The Candy Apple Version” dropped on iTunes today. The follow up physical release “The North American Pie Version” drops on May 5th I believe. I made sure to make my purchase today, as it’s no secret that I’m a big fan, and decided to let our readers in on my first impressions and my first listen to the album, track-by-track……

Intro

Pooh’s computerized voice reminds us that what he speaks ain’t necessarily the view of the HOJ, and if we got a problem, we can suck it. No problem there.

The Release (prod. Illmind)

Aptly titled song here. Pooh sounds like he’s getting shit off his chest for real. He honestly sounds like he is hungrier than ever on this track.  This is “Sleepers” type Pooh right here, and I know I’m going to be knocking it hard.

Power (feat O-Dash) (prod Khrysis)

Khrysis On The Boards With The Heat! And no different here. Loved this beat from jump and was stoked to hear O-Dash. Everytime that dude drops a verse I love it. No joke. But I also don’t have much material on him. Not sure if there is out there. If there is, hip me to it. He didn’t disappoint and Pooh didn’t either. P-O-DUB-E-R, the hook spells it out for you and tells you what comes with that power and why people are after it. Again, Pooh sounds hungry, proving to you that he’s nice with the mic, but that he ain’t done improving his craft or taking control of his career.

The Comeback (prod. Khrysis)

The single that the Monster Blog posted earlier as a free download. Crazy ass beat. I wanna know what that scraping sound really is. It reminds me of when I used to work at a sports shop and we had this weird connector-ties to put like hockey glove pairs together with on display or shit like that. They made that weird sound. I know that’s random. Anyway, Pooh let’s you know straight up on this one: “Knowledge is a weapon, so I’m packing my tool”. This maybe the “Candy Apple Version” of the album, but you ain’t gonna get no candy-ass shit here.

Radio (prod. Oh No)

THIS BEAT IS CRAZY!!! It might be my favorite Oh No beat to date. I ain’t heard nothing like it in a while. Sounds like it came straight off vinyl. This was the other track we posted a week or two ago. The hook has hella-samples you’ll recognize too. My only complaint about this track is that I wish it was longer.

Hands Up (feat Chaundon, Roc C) (prod. Khrysis)

If you are a reader of the blog, you know how we feel about Chaundon. This is no question a song that could get Cat’s Cradle jumping I think. It knocks real hard, a good call and response hook, and a closeout verse from Chaundon with some damn nice quotables:

“No need to rehearse / y’all n***as is wack / you should all Auto-Tune your verse”

“Damn y’all / is this where it’s going? / is wack the new nice? / then I need to stop flowing”

Couple other nice ones I won’t spoil for you. The closing line had me laugh out loud and I don’t do that too much to songs, haha.

On The Real (feat Jozeemo, E.Ness) (prod Khrysis)

The drums on this track are insane. This track has a old Mobb Deep feel to me. E.Ness comes pretty correct. I think that the theme of the album can be summed up in Pooh’s line on this track:

“Do a track here / do a track there / until i at-track the attention of my rappin’ peers”

or maybe it’s

“Time to make news / put my name on the scene…. /…. I’m living the dream / while you all mad/ I’m just takin advantage of the chances that I had”

Jozeemo closes this shit out. Bull City all up on the track going real hard in the booth. This is another one of those HOJ cats that I wanna hear more from, cause to date he’s been impressive. Big ups the state in almost every guest verse too.

Nothing Less (feat Ab Soul, Jay Rock, K Dot) (prod Young RJ)

Now this has got to be from the rumored “The Recipe” I imagine. “The Recipe” is a CD that Pooh announced with producer Young RJ from Detroit a LONG ASS TIME AGO. I can’t even tell you ow long I’ve tried to keep my ear to the streets for that one (about as long as this Skyzoo we keep hearing about, but that’s another story). Maybe it’s still coming, but I think they just split up most of the tracks on these “D-Bars” releases. Anyway, this is the smoothest track yet on the album. I don’t know too much about any of the other cats on this joint. In my humble opinion, it’s clear that Pooh is that dude on this track and he spits first. I like the hook, and the song is alright, but to be honest it’s my least favorite so far. That’s not to say I might not feel it hard later though.

Move (feat Darien Brockington) (prod. Phonix)

Love those D-Brock guest appearances. I could see the ladies getting their dance on to this one, but not really in a trashy way….in a like “I’ve had 4 beers and I’m at a house party so I’m going to dance a little bit” way. If that makes sense. This is the type of jam that my boy Dirt McGirt would love to hear out somewhere. I like it though, it shows a lighter side to Pooh than we have seen yet on this CD, and I was just thinking about how that was missing. D-Brock can straight up sing. Why is this dude not a star? So smooth man. Can’t wait to see him with Foreign Exchange in a month or so.

Roll Call (feat Jozeemo, Chaundon, Joe Scudda) (prod The Co-Op)

The most anticipated track on the album for me after seeing the tracklisting. The POSEE CUT man. A LOST ART in hip hop these days. Jozeemo comes straight hard with some BlockHuggerz era shit. Chaundon man, what can you say. I don’t want to sound like a “yes, man” all the time even though I’m a big fan, but there’s no way you can tell me he doesn’t kill this shit. Moot point. Dude even drops the Dana Dane reference on cats. Scudds up next and is reppin’ Raleigh from the jump, also with Riddick Bowe and Bo Jackson references for you sports heads. Pooh closes the track fittingly, and I’ll admit that I’d be nervous about anyone spitting a 4th verse on a track that already has 3, but dude proves me an idiot for thinking that. Perfect closeout verse on the Posse Cut. This shit didn’t let me down. Heavy rotation right here.

The Life (feat Muhsinah) (prod. Khrysis)

The unique voice on Foreign Exchange’s “Daykeeper” is the same one you hear here. Muhsinah adds a delicate touch to the track that I think really makes then what it is. I feel like it brings the honesty out of Pooh’s verse, and completes the track on the hook. You’ll know what I mean when you hear it. You feel it more because of her presence. Pooh has opened his heart on the track more than a few times, but this is him at his most honest I think, and it really shows. A standout track on the album for me, no question.

RearView Mirror (prod 9th Wonder)

Here it is. The 9th Wonder appearance. Classic 9th too. Got some chop too it. This is some sunroof-down summertime shit right here. Pooh’s opening verse speaks of struggle, the beat is so optimistic. It’s tight. This is one of those songs that fans of all genres of music should love. “We all gotta go through things….”

Outro

Pooh’s computer voice closes out thanking us for the purchase and allowing us to bump repeatedly. Closes with “DEUCES”….which I always thought should come back.

OVERALL

Overall, I really liked this release by Pooh. I think that he really establishes himself on this album, and he sounds hungrier than ever. I think I will end up liking it as much as “Sleepers” (sidenote: Why are people still sleeping on “Sleepers”????) , but it has an entirely different feel. I wish there were a few more “laid-back” tracks on here, but “Rear View Mirror” is so tight that it can suffice on it’s own. It certainly has me excited about the other releases in the pack and once again Big Pooh has been worth my penny. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ma run this shit back and do some laundry and dinner-cooking.

GO COP “DELIGHTFUL BARS – CANDY APPLE VERSION” ON ITUNES NOW

 

Look at the big homey Rapper Pooh. He’s calling you in, inviting you. He’s saying “Hey <Insert Your Name Here>, I know you’re a fan. You know I drop hot shit. You know my shit is always worth every penny…”

SO WHY AIN’T YOU LAZY PEEPS COPPED????

Rapper Big Pooh’s “Delightful Bars” (The Candy Apple iTunes Version) dropped today on iTunes. May 5th the next version drops as a physical release. The Monster hipped you to the tracklisting and fly cover art before (too lazy to link back to it now, search that shit if you want it), so you know the appearances are illy. Get over to iTunes, donate some of that hard-earned to one of the realest doing it, and don’t even burn that shit to a CD yet. Let it bump now. Shit, that’s what your boy is doing….

 

If you did already cop today?   ————> *dap*

Jordan Toys with Brent Price

Dude is lucky the ref bailed him out with the hand-check foul. MJ was bout to break that cat off proper-like.

Nobody Famous and Wax – Recording “Rowdy”

CLICK HERE TO SEE NOBODY FAMOUS AND WAX RECORDING ROWDY

NF IN THIS!!!!

Big Soda & Popcorn – (March 24, 2009)

POWER RANKINGS – UNDERDOG STORIES

            With the 2009 NCAA Tournament underway and the Cinderellas fighting the clock, wouldn’t it be nice to give them another dose of hope?  These are the teams that make March what it is.  The teams we know nothing about, but root for relentlessly to take down the Goliaths.  The doe-eyed kids who seemingly forget their rightful place in the basketball universe. 

            It’s one of the few yearly sporting events where critics, commentators and analysts don’t take anything away from the lesser-known victor.  Unlike the MLB Playoffs, the system isn’t conducive to determining the “best” team.  There are no second chances—just ask anyone who lost to George Mason in 2006 or God Shammgod’s Providence in 1997.  Unlike the Super Bowl, few people care about who “should have” won and why they didn’t.  When we talk about the 1985 tournament, all we care about is Villanova’s impressive run, not Georgetown’s regular season dominance.  It’s just not the kind of thing the tournament cares about.

            So, in honor of these inspirational lesser-thans, I’m offering up my top underdog stories.  These movies are the cinematic embodiment of the feel-good stories we look forward to every spring.  Just ask Wake Forest, because Cleveland State was obviously paying attention.

 

 

12.  The Mighty Ducks (1992)

 The film that spawned a long line of underdog sports films for kids, The Mighty Ducks initiated a formulaic approach to a familiar storyline.  If you don’t believe me, just think about it: a talented, good-looking kid, reluctant to be a star; a fat kid for comedic relief; the nerdy kid who’s just happy to be part of the team; and the hard-nosed coach who must undergo a lifestyle change in order to relate to his ragtag team of misfits.  If you haven’t seen that formula before, you’re probably Amish.

 

11.  The Bad News Bears (1976)

 Buttermaker!!!  This is the story of an alcoholic has-been trying to teach baseball—a game he once loved—to a bunch of screw-ups who couldn’t care less.  Nobody was cooler in 1976 than the cigarette-puffing, dirt bike shredding Kelly Leak.

 

10.  Little Giants (1994)

 Otherwise known as the “Ozzie Canseco Story,” Little Giants revolves around the competition that exists between a former sports superstar and his less successful, but uber-lovable younger brother.  No matter how much you may have wanted Devon Sawa to die in Final Destination, you’ve got to love his ability to throw toilet paper rolls into a shopping cart.

 

9.  Cool Runnings (1993)

 Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme!  Try not to cry when the Jamaicans carry their rickety bobsled across the finish line and all their former doubters do the requisite slow clap.  I dare you.

 

8.  Angels in the Outfield (1999)

It’s a little known fact that Big Soda wrote a 20-page paper about Disney’s portrayal of religious symbols in Angels in the Outfield.  There was more than one underdog in this film, with not only the team on the field, but also young Roger, the unloved foster child who sees angels.  Who’s your favorite Angel player: Matthew McConaughey, Adrien Brody or Tony Danza?

7.  Major League (1989)

 Can you believe it only cost $11 million to make this movie?!?  What an all-star cast: Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Corbin Bernsen, Wesley Snipes, and President David Palmer (err, I mean, Dennis Haysbert).  I can’t tell you how many times I yelled “DORN!” during co-ed softball this season.

 

6.  Chariots of Fire (1981)

 I assume that this is the one movie on the list that most people haven’t seen.  For those that haven’t, it’s the story of British runners training for the 1924 Olympics.  The theme song is probably the most famous aspect of the film.  To prove it (and to keep up my string of Kel Mitchell references), the song from the opening credits was even used in a scene from Good Burger, where the dynamic duo delivers a burger to none other than Shaquille O’Neal.

 

5.  Seabiscuit (2003)

 Sure, a horse’s heart is technically 16 times larger than a human’s, but Seabiscuit’s was 100 times bigger.  In a sport where bigger, faster, and stronger are the only criteria, Seabiscuit was the most unlikely of all champions.  For a horse that everyone said was too small to compete, Horse of the Year should have been an impossible achievement.

 

4.  Rudy (1993)

 Don’t let the fact that the real Rudy Ruettiger bums around bars in South Bend, using his “celebrity” to score free drinks between speaking engagements at grade schools, sway your opinion of this film.  Also, don’t let the fact that barely anyone in the stadium knew who he was convince you that the “Rudy” chant was embellished for the sake of filmmaking.  Just take the movie for what it is, and try to forget that a hobbit could make the Notre Dame football team.

 

3.  Hoosiers (1986)

 Which character is more inspirational: Jimmy Chitwood, the sheltered, quiet sharpshooter; Ollie MacFarlane, Hickory’s team manager who saves the day by sinking two game-saving free throws; or Wilbur “Shooter” Flatch, the town drunk who overcomes his addiction to become a vital part of the team’s success? 

 

2.  Rocky (1976)

For a man who can barely speak the English language, Sly Stallone wrote one hell of a movie.  This film is proof that you don’t always have to win to be a champion—just go the distance, fool.

 

1.  The Karate Kid (1984)

 What’s better than an undersized new-kid-in-town, learning karate through everyday chores from an Asian man with whom he shares subtle homoerotic tensions?  Daniel LaRusso kicking the crap out of the Cobra Kai Dojo to the tune of “You’re the Best” by Joe Esposito.  “Get him a body bag!  Yeeeeaaaaah!”

 

 

*** Questions? Comments? Hate mail? Nude photos? Big Soda can be reached at bigsoda@themixtapemonster.com***