Allow me to introduce myself . . .
My name is Trent Fitzgerald, and I’m humbled and honored to be asked to blog for Mixpak Records, a great label that I recently discovered when I – literally – stumbled upon Vybz Kartel’s “Yuh Love” last year while doing some late-night web surfing. I’ve been a music scribe for 10 years, and you can catch me writing about rap on my blog Beats and Rants or typing 140-character tirades on Twitter.
My goal here is to present a worldwide view of rap music and culture. No regional biases here….good music is good music.
So without further ado . . .
First up, I have to go to the UK and give props to my man Ty who just released his new single “Emotions” (featuring Sarina Leah & Shaun Escoffery), which is from his upcoming LP Special Kind of Fool. Ty is probably one of the most underrated rap artist from the UK, who has dropped great albums for a decade with little or no fanfare (his 2003 LP Upwards is a classic, IMHO). Ty’s song “Emotions,” is an uptempo joint that’s perfect like a sunny day. His new album Special Kind of Fool drops April 14.
Ty – “Emotions” feat. Sarina Leah & Shaun Escoffery (Album Version)
Over in Canada, female rapper Eternia is cutting heads off — lyrically — with her new song “It’s Funny” (featuring Joell Ortiz), the lead single from her long-awaited album At Last!, which hit stores June 15. This is some boom-bap shit that’s long been missing in rap. That’s funny, right?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsRS-KXEsaY
Back here in the states, Ludacris is making waves with his club banger “My Chick Bad.” The “remix” video should hit the Internets soon. In the meantime, check out Luda performing the remix version with help from Trina and the oh-so sexy ex-Crime Mob rapstress Diamond. (*watch out Nicki Minaj*)
On the mixtape front, there are several mixtapes that are on heavy rotation. Hall of Justus rapper Chaundon’s mixtape Baby Making Music bumps on all cylinders. Fellow Justus rapper Joe Scudda also has a great mixtape called Not Your Average Joe, which was mixed by dope rap producer Statik Selektah. Finally, Consequence’s Movies on Demand and Young Money’s The Congress are two mixtapes that are in heavy rotation on my computer.
Here’s am independent Philadelphia rap artist you should know about: Dumhi (pronounced “dum-high”). He’s strictly a DIY-type rapper, so support($$$) if you can.
And over on the West Coast, legendary rapper Snoop Dogg is rocking it with the Travis Barker remix of “I Wanna Rock,” which, to me, is his best version out of the multitude of remixes that Snoop did for the track. Unfortunately, the Doggfather had to go without a Jay-Z cameo for the VIDEO of his Kings-G remix to “I Wanna Rock.”
Snoop Dogg – I Wanna Rock (Travis Barker Mix
Say whatever you want about Diggy Simmons and his deal with Atlantic Records. But on the real, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. This little kid got spunk.
Lastly, On March 30, Erykah Badu releases her new LP New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh), the sequel to her stellar 2008 album New Amerykah Part One (4th World War). I’m so anxious to buy and hear this album I can hardly contain myself.Early reviews are stating the obvious — the LP is great. And with songs like “Window Seat” and the enjoyably funky “Turn Me Away (Get Munny),” Erykah is ready to amaze us again with her Badiuzm.
Erkyah Badu — “Window Seat” (Live from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon)
