Knives In The House...

One of the most anticipated hip hop albums of this year is Raekwon's Only Built for Cuban Links II. He's going to have to release an album of instant vintage to live up to it's predecessor. He's done well so far... And the latest video is House of Flying Daggers featuring Inspectah Deck, GZA, Ghostface Killah and Method Man. The song is classic Wu Tang... And that is something that will always be rated highly amongst the die hards. And the video will keep the Wu heads satisfied also. Being fully animated by 1000styles it is definitely anime. The style of animation loved by many Wu fans... Especially the Manga series. So watch the video and be amazed... Or just have a look and appreciate.

E-Macking...

Jamie Foxx has released the video for the Digital Girl Remix featuring Kanye, Drake and the Dream. It's a Hype Williams clip, so the expectations are high. Hype has done really well with this video. The effects are used to perfection. They don't override the video into just being all about the effort that it must've taken to render the effects. It is a Jamie Foxx song, so there was always going to be a plethora of females prevalent throughout the video... But I like how literal they look in regards to the title of the song... Good make up. The artists featured on the video give their swagger to the video and add something that only each of them could. All in all I like the video as it matches the song. However, I just think that it took too long to come out. Good choice using the remix for the video.

24 Carats Baby...

J.Dilla is one of the greatest producers of all time... Everyone knows this. So his post mortem album Jay Stay Paid is something special for all those real hip hop heads. Since I first heard the song, I've like 24k Rap. I like how Havoc sounds over the beat and Raekwon brings his game to a whole new level. And now that the video is out... I'm more in love with the song. The video was shot over at A Life Rivington club... I'm a huge sneaker head, so pairing up the song with the store is a match made in heaven. It gives the video the feel that you are entering a secret society and thats exactly how it is at A Life. It's exclusivity makes it cool... It's cool factor is replicated in the video. Good match... Great video.

All Black Everything...

Finally the video for We Run This Town has been released. And in true Jigga fashion he hyped it, major. I am glad that I checked it though, this video is as expected... Epic. Anthony Mandler is due credit for his foresight on the video... It isn't your typical hip hop video... But once again Jay-Z isn't your typical hip hop artist. He needed to have a good lead video for the Blueprint 3 as he is following some classics in the Blueprint series. A lot is expected of him, so he needs to deliver. DOA was a bit of a disappointment from a Jay-Z purist perspective. But We Run This Town is more of a proper lead single so I'm glad he delivered. And the video is no exception. Epic is really the only way that I can describe it.

I like the all black army feel to it... It could almost be a rebel movement recruitment video. Dressed similar, but each individual. It's good to see Rihanna back on top looking great. Kanye definitely stepped up since his horrid showing in the Make Her Say video and Jay-Z looks like he is putting a lot more thought into what he wears.

Check the video and see what you think.

Umm... You In...

Ginuwine is set on this comeback thing. Although he hasn't released too much from his A Man's Thoughts album. This video Trouble (which has Bun B on the album, but not the video), shows that he means business. The song itself is something that doesn't stand out as an instant hit. But i can imagine station managers thinking that it is very radio friendly.

The video is typical Ginuwine. He always likes to put an element of acting in his clips (future hint at a career change?). There is also the ever present dancing. And you can't forget the hot girls (does anyone think that the main actress is a Vanessa Hudgen's lookalike?). So all in all... Typical R&B video of today. You could probably put anyone in the video and it would fit... From Usher to Ne-Yo. It would still look right.

About To Run...

Preview for We Run This Town.. It's going to be epic... All I will say...

Don't Hold On...

Let It Go... The new video from Nelly featuring Pharrell. There are some unsurprising features on this song... And then there is something that will make you take a second, third and fourth check before it becomes believeable. The unsurprising factor... It's featuring Pharrell... So the beat sounds accordingly. The part that astounds me still (And I've had this song for a while now)... Nelly is not doing his singing/rapping thing. He's actually rapping. And although he doesn't wax lyrical Mos Def, Common or Kweli-like... He does do pretty nice.

The video doesn't continue with the surprising ethos... It's typical of anything linked to Pharrell. Almost the same as Drop It Like Its Hot. Although surprisingly Pharrell is looking hilarious sporting that 'stache. I haven't seen him look this bad since the Lap Dance video. Ever since he arrived at unconventional sex symbol status, he's kept as pretty boy as he can... He may need to take a look in the mirror and revise his current look. Digging the glasses though Skateboard P.

Look Up In The Sky...

After his mega-hit Birthday Sex (I judge a mega hit by it getting a fair amount of airplay on mainstream radio... not just the RnB and Hip Hop stations)... Jeremih had large expectations placed on him for his follow up single. He has a reasonable album... Could easily get sales in the ringtone environment we live in. So he had a lot to choose from. So his choice of Imma Star (Everywhere We Are) was a good one... Especially with how the video is. I watched it three times and laughed uncontrollably each time. So I think that the general public will enjoy this.

There are a couple of spots where Jeremih reminds me of Kanye... Just the looks. See if you can peep them.

Who's Good?...

Clipse with Pharrell... New track... New video... I think that you already know what it's going to be like... Especially with a title like I'm Good. It's the classic Neptunes track... Nice beat and synthesizers used to full extent. Pharrell singing over the hook with that unique singing voice he has. And then Clipse come at you with their decent flow... Of which I have to say, that I do like. But it just seems a little cliche of them to drop a video with fancy cars, hot girls and pool parties. And then, they are still wearing the same stuff they have for the last 5 years. I still think that this song will get a decent amount of air time, and probably the video too. I just wish they got bored with themselves at some stage and came out with something a little different. Form your opinion by watching the video...

Hard Case...

I know that I don't normally give 50 any ink. But I couldn't go past this track... The original of Case's Touch Me, Tease Me featuring Foxy Brown used to be my jam! I remember being at dances when I was young and trying to get at girls when the song would drop. It was a good song to be in the middle of the dance floor with a girl. 50 went and put his spin on it... And although I don't really enjoy a lot of 50 cent... I'll give him this one on flow and backing track alone. You got me listening again 50... I'll see what else you can come up with in September...

Bad Habits... Revealed...

I know that I've blogged about this song before... But you know that I'm all over Maxwell's songs. He's released the video for Bad Habits. And as if you didn't know... He often epitomises the word smooth, and just to solidify the fact... He went and got Kerry Washington on the video. She is a talented actress, but as you can see she is more than just easy on the eye. I like the video's feel of a dark and risque act being performed.

Till You Get Enough...

Esso has been working on a Mixtape for a minute now based on the late Michael Jackson's Off The Wall album. We all know the King of Pop passed away not so long ago... Hence the mixtape feels a little ill timed. But there is no denying that the lead single Don't Stop is a catchy track. The video is reminiscent of MJ's Don't Stop Till You Get Enough video which is no real surprise. But I can imagine this being a club banger given recent events. Its nice production and although it's not an amazingly lyrical assault on the ears... Its enough to hold the track up.

And I do like how he is rocking that Toro Bravo Jordan V pack (writing this as I wear my new True Blue Jordan III international release only!)

Beautiful Decay...

Skyzoo has a video for his song Beautiful Decay. I'm really feeling this song as he flows and speaks with consciousness. The video is a hood showcase. Nothing too flashy and nothing going for any video awards... But it feels real. The song itself has that speed up loop sound to it slung over a classic new york sounding hip hop beat. Its something that I haven't heard in a while, but I miss it. And its refreshing. It's almost a beat that you would expect a great like Rakim to step onto. But its 9th Wonder... You know you gonna get something nice when 9th Wonder is attached. Get into this song... Something to chill to. Be nice to hear the album when it drops on September 29th.