RAEKWON TALKS ABOUT PRODUCERS ON OB4CL2.

Today, the tracklist was released for Raekwon's highly anticipated album and it features production from some of the best to ever do it, including Dr. Dre, Pete Rock, Dilla, and of course the RZA,
We sat down with the Chef to talk about the producers he enlisted on his upcoming album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2, and why he decided to work with multiple cats instead of just the RZA like he did on the original. Hotdamn, I cannot wait for this shit to drop.

[NEW] Ghostface, RZA & Havoc - "Evil Deeds"

Wu-Tang Wednesday! Here's another leak off the upcoming Wu album, Chamber Music, which drops next Tuesday. This album pairs Wu-Tang members with classic New York MCs from the 1990’s era over beats and live instrumentation from Brooklyn soul crew The Revelations. RZA is the project’s Executive Producer. I mean, seriously...how dope does that sound? I will definitely be copping this one.

[DOWNLOAD] Ghostface, RZA & Havoc - "Evil Deeds"

[PHOTOS] Method Man x Redman in L.A.

Meth Tical and Funk Doc da Spot smashed LA last night at the Highlands. On top of the new joints off the Blackout! 2 album, you know they had to drop some of the classics from the 90's. In fact, when "Da Rockwilder" came on it completely destroyed the building. I think the Highlands might need to call in some contractors to rebuild that muthafucka.

Mad people were in attendance last night including Erick Sermon (who blessed the stage with "Music", The Rza (who tore it down with Meth doing "Wu Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta Fuck With", Yo-Yo, Affion Crockett, DeRay Davis, Diz Gibran, Tri-State, Planet Asia, DJ Drama and of course, Gio Basicali. Method Man did his usual crowd surfing, Redman did his usual shit talking. Check the flicks and then hate yourself for missing such a dope show.

Throwback Thursdays.

"The Anthem" featuring The RZA, Tech N9ne, Eminem, Xzibit, Pharoahe Monch, Kool G. Rap, Jayo Felony, Chino XL, and KRS-One.

You know a posse cut is dope when every single person on the track is still relevant after 10 years (Well almost everybody. Sorry Jayo Felony). Every emcee was from a different background, and on a different style, but they all killed it just the same. The Wake Up Show knew what they were doing.

Now, to be a Throwback, it's gotta be at least 10 years old. That's my rule, so 1999 is the cut off year. This one barely made it, but don't fret...you get a little 2 for one today to make up for it. I originally wanted to post Sway and King Tech's "The Anthem" from 1999 (above), but in my YouTubing I stumbled upon this gem. It's the Wake Up Show Anthem from 1994 when they were on everyday Saturday night on 92.3 The Beat in Los Angeles. This was exlusive to L.A. If you're not from the City of Angeles, then you've probably never experienced this. But every hip hop head who has ever owned a radio and lived in Los Angeles is familiar with the dopeness that is this Anthem.

Personally, I forgot how sick it was, but the instant I heard L-Boogie go, "Uh-uh-oh...I'm coolin with my niggas on the Wake Up Show-uh-oh" I was instantly taken back to '94. This is some legendary hip hop shit right here. The song featured Lauryn Hill, Nas, Organized Konfusion (Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po), Ras Kass, Dred Scott, Shyheim, and Saafir. It's bananas. They're actually rhyming about the show, the radio station, it's call signals, the city, the hosts, and DJs. You know, some real relevant hip hop shit. And it's a full song, over 4 minutes. Throwback Thursdays is in full effect. Check the vibe, ya'll.

My Mom's Day w/ Rza.

Classic video of late night talk show host Craig Ferguson's mother spending a day with the Rza. There's nothing funnier than crossing old people with rappers. Except maybe Dave Chappelle. In this video, the Rza takes Momma Ferguson shopping at Tower Records (RIP), and a book store, and then they grab some food at the legendary Roscoe's. Because if you can't bond over waffles, then you can't bond at all.

New Items for the Rock The Bells Auction.

Hip Hop Official and Rock The Bells have added some dope new items to their Charity Auction. We teamed up with the Wu-Tang Clan to bring you some exclusive autographed items that you can be yours! All you have to do in bid on the items, and all money goes to fight diabetes. Don't Sleep. Go here at check out all the items available.

Item include:

-Signed Rock The Bells 2007 poster
-Signed copy of the The Wu-Tang Manual
-Signed ODB/Rock The Bells T-Shirt
-Signed Wu-Tang collector trading cards

In The Studio with the RZA.

Wu-Tang architect, The RZA aka Bobby Digital lets you inside his studio, and explains the meaning of "Bong Bong." Koneechiwa, bitches.

[VIDEO] RZA as Bobby Digital - "Drama"

The RZA gets his Bobby Digital on in this new video for "Drama" featuring Thea and Monk...and funny thing about this video shoot, I was there.

Shout out to Rage and Todd A. who directed this joint.

[NEW] GZA - "Pencil" (feat. Masta Killa and RZA)

All into together now...things are looking good, getting better now (c) Method Man

New fire from the Genius. This guy is my favorite Wu member, depending on what day it is. Today is that today. This is off his upcoming album, Pro Tools, which drops next Tuesday, Aug 19th.

DOWNLOAD: GZA - "Pencil" (feat. Masta Killa and RZA)


[BONUS]: Watch the GZA talk about the upcoming album.

Top 10 Greatest Beats for Freestyling.

Since it's Freestyle Friday, it got me thinking. Everyone always argues the greatest freestylers of all time (Canibus, Eminem, Supernatural, etc), but what about the other aspect of freestyling - the beat? A sick beat is one half of a dope ass freestyle. So lets take a look at the Top 10 illest beats to catch wreck to. This list was compiled by a team of highly training and certified experts - Me and the Hip Hop Official team. If you don't like it, get yo own blog.

Now, the list isn't just randomly selected and completely subjective. There's actually a specific calculated algorhythm used to determine the list. Five different - highly scientific - categories were used to compile the list:

(1) Impact. The beat instantly makes you want to start rhyming. Any emcee knows what I'm talking about. Some beats just make you want to start spitting. They call your name. You can't deny it it's power. It's like an attractive woman - you are powerless. Let's call it the "Flow Factor"

(2) Simplicity vs. Complexity. The beat has to be dope enough to nod your head, but at the same time it has to be simple enough to not over power the emcee. The bestest freestyle beats are slighly repetive in nature, not enough to drive you crazy, but enough to let the emcee shine.

(3) Recognition. A true freestyle beat has to be one that everyone knows and recognizes. As soon as it drops, people go crazy. When people are familiar with the beat, have your job is done. They will be more inclined to listen and connect to the music. You can have the illest beat in the world, but if nobody knows it, it takes away from the performance.

(4) Not too specific. The flip side is to #3, is that the beat cannot be too unique to the original artist. Some beats instantly instill visions of another emcee, and no matter how sick the track is, you can't help but here that emcee on the beat. It just wont work for other cats to try to rock it. For instance, Da Rockwilder beat is so bananas, but every time it starts i can only hear Meth saying, "Microphone Checka, swinging sword lecture..."

nahmean?

(5) Last but mos definitely not least, The Ugh Factor. Like Master P said, "Make 'em say 'Ughhhh'". This is how many times the beat makes you say "Ugn" when it's playing. You know what I'm talking about. When a nasty beat drops, I make the stink face and starting saying "Ugh" like Biggie Smalls when he's about to start rhyming. How many times do you make the "damn, something smells like shit fact" while listening to the song. And by the way, that's a good thing. The stinkier the face, the better the beat.

Using the 5 categories, list was compiled. Yes, there's some subjectivity, but I also know what I'm talking about. One thing to remember, this is not a BEST beat of all time list. Some of your favorite beats might appear on this list, but this is specific to freestyling. Like I said before, some beats are too unique to their owners, and therefore wont make the list. A dope freestyle beat has to be usable by everyone, and not catered to a specific artist.

With out further ado, let's get it on. And yes, it was nearly impossible narrowing this down to only 10 beats. It's like asking someone to name their top 10 songs, movies, or blowjobs.


10. "Triumph" - Wu-Tang Clan

RZA production at it's finest: killer strings, banging drums, and nice change ups. This is one of the few Wu-Tang beats that almost anyone can rock. All the other ones are strictly catered to the Wu.

9. "Breathe" - Fabulous

Just Blaze produced this banger. The break-neck pace and urgency created by the sample chopping just begs you to start spitting. One of the best produced beats in the past few years.

8. "Like Woah" - Black Rob

Yes, Bad Boy made the countdown (Take that, take that, take that). The street anthem "Like Woah" was pretty much the first and last time we heard from Black Rob. But this banging beat has a contagious element to it. Even though a first listen, it sounds repetitive as hell, there are actually lots of subtle changes and nuisances in the track. And it's hard as hell. [pause]

7. "Tried By 12" - East Flatbush Project

This is a track we've all heard, but don't all know. Everytime it comes on, the crowd goes nuts. The asian-sounding sample is so unique. It's a relatively mellow track, but gets everyone hyped. It might have been higher on the list, but it loses points in the recognition department.

6. "It's All About the Benjamins" - Puff Daddy

Bad Boy finds their way back onto the list, with Diddy's posse cut about - of all things - money. He had everyone on this song: Biggie, Lil Kim, Styles P, Jada, and Sheik. This beat is so repetitive but is honestly built for freestyles. And who said Puffy never contributed anything good to hip-hop?

5. "Quiet Storm" - Mobb Deep

Jailbird P (better known as Prodigy) and Havoc aka Mobb Deep concoct one of the coldest beats of all time. The sinister bassline and eerie piano make this an undeniable classic. It's the reeeeeeal.

4. "A Milli" - Lil Wayne

The newest member of the group, and quite possible the most used played out freestyle beat of all time. Everybody and their grandmother jumped on this track, from Chris Brown to Jay-z to Will Smith. By itself, it's one of the most annoying beats of all time. With someone freestyling over it, it's the number 4 beat of all time. Funny how that works.

3. "Grindin" - Clipse

Quite possibly one of the simplest beats of all time turned into one of the most infectious. The Neptunes were ahead of their time when they created this song using only 5 sounds. Keep it simple, stupid. This song rates high in all 5 categories, but leaves a little to be desired because it lacks a true melody.

2. "Shook Ones Pt. II" - Mobb Deep

What more can you really say about this beat? It's one of the best hip-hop tracks of all time. Emimen ripped it in 8 Mile. Everyone knows it. It never gets old. The melody is so hypnotic, it puts you in a euphoric headnod trance. A true hip-hop gem.

1. "Who Shot Ya?" - The Notorious BIG

And the number one freestyle beat of all time...The Notorious B.I.G. 's “Who Shot Ya” - separate the weak from the ob-sa-lete, hard to creep them brooklyn streets.

That songs just make you want to catch wreck. The cascading piano sample from David Porter, the thumping drums, the eerie vocal sample. This beat was built to spit to. Yes, B.I.G. killed it, and it's hard to top his performance. But anybody would song good over this beat. That's the essence right there.


So there you have it. I have a few honorable mentions who couldn't make the final list:

Dr Dre - "Still D.R.E."
Biggie - "Kick In The Door"
Snoop Dogg - "Drop It Like It's Hot"
Lil Wayne - "Go DJ"
Gangstarr - "Mass Appeal"
M.O.P. - "Ante Up"
Jay-Z - "Dead Presidents"
KRS-ONE - "Step Into A World"
Above the Law - "Black Superman"
The Luniz - "I Got 5 On It"

Freestyle Friday.

Sticking with the Wu-Tang theme...because, in all honesty, there's no such thing as too much Wu-Tang.

The RZA/Bobby Digital/Prince Rakeem/The Abbot kicks a freestyle for KISS100 FM.

[NEW] The GZA - "Alphabets"

New GZA!

This is the first single off his upcoming album Pro Tools. This is way tighter than his Curtis diss. Check out the tracklist...

1. Intromental
2. Pencil Feat. Masta Killa & RZA
3. Alphabets
4. Groundbreaking Feat. Justice Kareem
5. 7 Pounds
6. 0% Finance
7. Short Race Feat. Rock Marcy
8. Interlude
9. Paper Plate
10. Columbian Ties Feat. True Master
11. Firehouse Feat. Ka
12. Path of Destruction
13. Cinema Feat. Justice Kareem
14. Intermission (Drive In Movie)
15. Life Is A Movie Feat. RZA & Irfane Khan-Acito (of Outlines)
16. Elastic Audio

RZA Talks Digi Snacks.

In an Hip Hop Official exclusive, the Abbot talks about his upcoming Bobby Digital album, Digi Snacks, which drops July 1st. This dude actually compares his album to a box of Mike N Ike's. He's one of the GOAT interviewees in the Hip Hop game. Nobody thinks quite like Bobby Digi.

Enjoy

Behind the Scenes with the RZA

I was lucky enough to be invited to the video shoot for the RZA's new single "You Can't Stop Me Now" about a month ago. The music video just hit the air, and this video takes you behind the scenes of the shoot. The Rza always gives great interviews, I wish this guy could narrate my life.

[VIDEO] RZA - "You Can't Stop Me Now"

Here's the new RZA video for his single "You Can't Stop Me Now." It's all green screen, and based on the concept of Bobby Digital's new album cover. Video is directed by Rage and Todd A.

BONUS: I got the hook up, you can download the single here. The album version features Inspectah Deck, but he is absent from the video.

Rza Video Shoot for "You Can't Stop Me Now"

Today I attended the photo shoot for the Rza's new video for "You Can't Stop Me Now" b/w "Drama" (feat. Monk & Thea) off his upcoming Bobby Digital album Digi Snacks due out the first week of July.

The video was shot completely on green screen and is based off the Digi Snack cover art, with Bobby playing the role of Hip Hop super hero. Directed by Rage and Todd A. Check for that at beginning of June.