Whats Buzzing in the Streets – Page 81

The Legacy of Ice Cube

The man who was once a part of a hip hop group that was ruthless, very honest and to be considered “the world’s most dangerous”, Ice Cube is one cold mutha that brought the heat with his highly conscious music and bold raps of what it’s like to be a Black man here in America. When he left NWA, there was friction between him and the group but with drama comes with great music and Cube definitely brought out some hard bangers. More than a month ago, I finally got the chance to actually listen to his albums from start to finish and I was completely blown away with how dope his music is, not that I wasn’t expecting it to be but, the production, the attitude, the topics, it was all dope. I personally enjoy his music a lot more than NWA’s. Especially his first albums “Amerikkka’s Most Wanted”, “Death Certificate” and “The Predator.” All three albums were a reflection of the Ice Cube that was unapologetically truthful and harsh but he was real. Songs about certain topics that made your mouth drop and laugh like “Yoooo, did he really say that? Did he actually make a song about that?” After the third album, Ice Cube’s music is not exactly the same but he still had some bangers and he was now appearing on the big screen in movies. His character as “Doughboy” in 1991’s “Boyz N The Hood” was the perfect role for him. He was also in “CB4”, “Higher Learning”, and nothing like the classic “Friday” series. Such a classic and hilarious movies. The Ice Cube nowadays is a lot more laid back but don’t sleep on him. He’ll still bite back if he has to and he just recently got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, such a huge accomplishment for the West Coast hip hop legend. Yay Yaaayyyy!

Keep The Faith: The Legacy of Faith Evans

The story of Faith Evans doesn’t begin when she became an official artist of Bad Boy and it certainly does not begin when she married the late great, Notorious B.I.G. either. The story of this R&B diva begins in New Jersey. She grew up in a Christian environment, which explains that golden voice of hers. She sung with several jazz bands and was encouraged by her mother to do it. While she was in high school, Faith was also involved in pageants, festivals and even contests where she got even more exposure and after graduating in 1991, she attended Fordham University to study marketing but then left a year afterwards when she had her daughter Chyna with her then boyfriend and producer Kiyamma Griffin. Faith then moved to L.A. to be a backup singer for Al B. Sure! and was then finally noticed by Diddy. In 1994, Diddy signed Faith to his up and coming Bad Boy label making her the first female artist on the label. Before Faith’s debut album released a year later, she was contributing backup vocals for Mary J. Blige and Usher. Finally, on August 29th, 1995, Faith released her self titled debut album. This album is a personal top 10 R&B album for me. The entire album is a banger and I grew up on it. Faith’s first joint “You Used To Love Me” was originally for the group Total, another act on the Bad Boy label. That song and “You Don’t Understand” were both about her marriage to Biggie Smalls, who she married on August 4th, 1995. They met a Bad Boy photo shoot. Together they only had one son, who they named after Biggie but they call CJ. The drama in their relationship eventually ended up putting Faith in a feud, one that includes the East Coast/West Coast Beef and even in altercations with other women that Biggie dealt with but all of this ended in a very horrific and tragic ending when Biggie was murdered and passed in March 1997. In memory of Biggie, Faith appeared on the song “I’ll Be Missing You” with 112 and Diddy which won her a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1998. That same year she also appeared on the song “Heartbreak Hotel” with Whitney Houston and Kelly Price and even released her second album “Keep The Faith” in October. The album was a difficult process for her because she was skeptical about the progress in the beginning. By the early 2000’s and on, Faith continues to put out more albums and more bangers. 2001’s “Faithfully”, which is my personal second favorite from her, 2005’s “The First Lady”, a Christmas album the same year as well, 2010’s “Something About Faith”, a compilation album called “R&B Divas” with other R&B legends for the show on TV One, 2014’s “Incomparable” and she recently released a new album with Biggie called “The King And I.” I haven’t heard the album yet but so far I’ve heard mixed reviews. Some positive and some negative. Throughout it all, Faith Evans is definitely an R&B legend and someone who is not just once The Notorious B.I.G.’s wife. Although Faith herself uses that a lot, I thought it was a smart idea to actually put out more work including both her and Big. Her vocal ability and songwriting skills are amazing and she has an incredible body of work under her belt that people today still can sit down and enjoy from start to finish. Faith herself is not a hip hop artist but she’s definitely involved. Her legacy lives on.

Mecca And The Soul Brother: The 25th Anniversary

Coming from Mount Vernon, both Peter Phillips aka Pete Rock and Corey Penn aka C.L. Smooth came together to be one of hip hop’s most legendary and celebrated duos of all time. It was exactly 25 years ago when the duo released their debut album. On June 9th, 1992, their album “Mecca And The Soul Brother” was released. With Pete Rock’s glossy and smooth but jazzy, hard hitting and soulful influenced production and C.L.’s cool rhymes and flow with an edge that made your head bop. His rhymes were mostly philosophical and had little to no cursing. C.L. is another one to me who has a voice that’s perfect. It hits on the beat just right. Completely flawless. The album is a perfect project from beginning to end. An album that’s about knowing your true self which is the Mecca. It’s a way of life, not a place or a state of mind. The album’s positive energy is what made it one that’s highly respected and held in high regard by hip hop fans. Besides the singles “Straighten It Out”, “Lots of Lovin'” and their signature joint “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)”, the rest of the album was just as much of a banger. Honestly, it’s my first time hearing it all the way through and I instantly fell in love with it. It just has that perfect sound I love so much. Joints like “Soul Brother #1” and “It’s Like That” are my top favorites. Out of an entire album that’s dope, there’s always a few ones or less that stands out the most. It’s the ones that hit me the hardest. It makes me go crazy, I make an ugly face listening to it. Overall, I can definitely agree that it’s truly a hip hop classic.

The BXtraordinary One: The Introduction of Alex Villafaña

Refreshing, ambitious, someone with actual talent, not the usual thing that you hear everywhere else and definitely an extraordinary one with a voice that represents hunger, wanting to succeed, but also being thankful and showing love to those he appreciates. Not forgetting where he comes from and where he is going. Alex Villafaña is a dope upcoming artist from the Highbridge section of The Bronx whose also a current Hostos Community College graduate. I personally had the honor of meeting this dude over a year ago when we were in the same Linguistics class. Of course, his image makes him noticeable and hard to ignore but with a voice over a fresh and polished hip hop/trap beat, Villafaña keeps your attention. The homie who you can definitely sit down and actually have a discussion with about hip hop, a Jay-Z or a Nas album two, he’s definitely what I would call, according to one of his songs, the “BXtraordinary” one. His mixtape “Looking For The Title” explains it all. It’s a body of work that’s about a young man whose trying to find his way and who is on his way to the top at the same time. Taking and learning from what life is giving to him, not forgetting where he comes from, using that to make him both a better person and artist. His latest single, which is a freestyle joint called “Nas Album Done”, is something just a little more dope though. So short, so simple but straight to the point. Love to witness dope talent from my hometown. More reminders that not all rap is wack, especially ones who can actually rap. To check out his music, his SoundCloud is Alex Villafana, add him on Facebook at Alex Villafaña and follow him on Instagram @villianhustle.

I GOT BARS. I GOT BARS. I GOT BARS.

This is a common phrase when it comes to rap. The terminology is a consice way of telling people I rap and I’m good at it. However the three words take on a life of their own when affiliated to Brute Camp. Brute Camp is a two member Hip Hop group comprised of NYC rappers Profit and King Sleeps.
Prophit met King Sleeps in the Winter of 2005 at the Brooklyn Woods Workshop, at that point Brute Camp was formed. I GOT BARS became the mantra.

Profit is from Venezuela, raised as a kid in Colombia and moved to the United States in the summer of 1991 at the age of seven. King Sleeps, Born in Brooklyn, NY into a musical household, Sleeps began developing his craft at the tender age of seven.

In the hip hop culture it is imperative to stand out and be noticed. This is true when it comes to Brute Camp. Their music weighs on the side of brash and in your face, with songs like Overrated and Shake and Twerk. The two members who are very much different on the surface combine to make a perfect match in music and business. Profit who is affectionately known as Proph takes standing out very personal. The start of the I GOT BARS apparel line with everything from Neck ties to T-shirts has been pushed by Proph and Sleeps. There’s not a place Proph or Sleeps has been seen without thitm repping their brand. When asked How did the idea of I Got Bars come about? Proph answered ” The idea I Got Bars came about to make a point that listeners were not too interested in the lyrics or the message that a song had so we incorporated I got bars into clothing were audience could see what we were really are about.

Proph also states coming to the USA in 1991was imperative for his families survival. During them years, it was heavy poverty and a high crime rate percentage, Pablo Escobar era.

Both crew members agree it was a great idea to bring out I GOT BARS to the public eye. The rationalization is since people don’t want to hear it or know about it they will have to see it. They go further and believe it brings a lot musicians together in different genres. I Got Bars apparal can be seen on the likes of celebrities such as Wyclef, swizz beats, Remy Ma, 50cent, Benzino, Joell Ortiz, Keith Murray, KRS One, Mc Lyte, Black Rob, Murda Mook, Fred the Godson, Producer illmind, Chris Rivers, Cory Gunz, Papoose, Charlie Clips, Cassidy and more.

Brute camp’s drive comes from being lyricists and artists that enjoy story telling in a music form. The listener can hear the message and visualize what is being presented to them.

To shine light on their music, Brute Camp has numerous music videos, songs streaming on SoundCloud and other internet resources. In all fairness, their stamp I Got Bars is better known than the groups official name which is BRUTE CAMP. My job as a journalist and writer is to bring awareness and inform individuals of what they should be tuned in to. BRUTE CAMP. The music should be listened to for entertainment, lyrics and visual storytelling.

When you think of real Hip Hop think of BRUTE CAMP and know they Have Bars.
Follow them on IG @Brute_Camp

Written by Sugarhill Sky.
*No funds were given or services bartered for this write up.
For event coverage, write ups, reviews etc.
sugarhillsky13@gmail.com

The Story of UTFO: Dedication To The Educated Rapper

It was a normal day. As usual, I was scrolling down my Facebook news feed until I got a notification from a post in the Tools of War group. It was a shared picture that belonged to Mix MasterIce. He was holding a hand that belonged to The Educated Rapper being hospitalized. I saw all of the comments that were positive and hopeful so I too also was hoping that he will be okay. This morning I woke up to the same thing as usual, go to my Facebook and find out the Educated Rapper has passed away from cancer from a friend who posted it. Absolutely shocked and devastated about the news. Another great loss in hip hop. For those who need a quick educating, UTFO is a hip hop group from the 80’s who was known for their classic hit “Roxanne, Roxanne.” The song was a B-side of their other hit “Hangin’ Out.” UTFO stands for Untouchable Force Organization and consisted of four members. There’s Kangol Kid, the guy who was known for rocking the freshest Kangol hats, even still to this day he does, Doctor Ice, Mix MasterIce and of course, the late great Educated Rapper. Before the group, Kangol Kid and Doctor Ice were both originally known as The Keystone Dancers in Brooklyn and were dancers for another hip hop group, Whodini. UTFO signed with Fred Munao in 1984 for Select Records and the group’s hit “Roxanne, Roxanne” was produced by the R&B group, Full Force who appeared as the bullies in the hip hop classic film “House Party.” Their classic “Roxanne, Roxanne” was the beginning of a mid-1980’s war that had two different Roxanne’s in question. There was The Real Roxanne and then it brought the attention of then 14 year old, Roxanne Shanté from Queensbridge, who was Marley Marl’s protégée at the time and it started what they call the “Roxanne Wars.” UTFO’s song has the most answer records in hip hop history. Roxanne’s answer to the record “Roxanne’s Revenge” made her an instant legend in the game. The song was released in late 1984 and became an instant hit with 250,000 copies sold. After the “Roxanne Wars”, the Educated Rapper didn’t appear on the group’s second album, 1986’s “Skeezer Pleezer” for his own personal reasons, except the song “Pick Up The Pace”, which was featured in the movie Krush Groove. After everything, the guys went their own separate ways to pursue their own thing. They are still very active today with producing, writing, DJ’ing and dancing and The Educated Rapper graduated from college, actually living up to his name. Also, Kangol Kid, along with Shaunda Lumpkin, founded The Mama Luke foundation, which is hip hop’s way of fighting against breast cancer. With just one popular song, UTFO’s legacy in hip hop will still live on and remain forever, as well as The Educated Rapper. Rest In Peace. Much Love!

Bigger And Deffer: The 30th Anniversary

Another hip hop classic that has reached 30 years. Coming from Queens, LL was still a young, ambitious, and fresh faced guy on the scene. On June 2nd, 1987, LL released his second album “Bigger and Deffer.” Compared to his debut “Radio”, BAD was definitely what the title says, bigger and deffer and so was LL himself. Still not quite there yet as far as growth as an artist, LL still had the cool and laid back personality, he still had the style but this album was still a step further than his previous. Besides the singles, the album was full of braggadocio, lots of DJ scratches, and a “rap ballad” that was the first to be commercially successful. The album also reminds me of Jazzy Jeff and Will aka The Fresh Prince with its early hip hop days sound, when hip hop was just beginning to become something much more bigger. The beginning of a golden era. It’s not a top 5 LL album, but it’s definitely an album I’ll recommend when it comes to 80’s hip hop.

Wu-Tang Forever: The 20th Anniversary

As a hip hop fan and lover, sometimes I feel like it’s impossible to keep up with so many different albums that are out there, whether new or old. Today, June 3rd, 2017, I find out that it’s the 20th anniversary of Wu-Tang Clan’s second album “Wu-Tang Forever.” First thought that came to my head was “Yo! I never really sat down and heard this joint from start to finish. Immediately went to my YouTube app, typed in the name of the album in my search engine and finally gave it a listen. I saw the playlist has 27 songs in total, so I knew this album is a double disc joint. As I’m listening to it, I honestly wasn’t impressed right away. I guess I have to give it a few more listens because to me the production alone, I wasn’t a fan on. The second half of the album is amazing though. How crazy is that? It definitely balances the album out for me. For me, this album gave all 9 members an equal amount of time to have their own personal shine. A few guest appearances, lyrics about consciousness, influence of the teachings of the Five Percenters, and of course in true hip hop fashion, gotta give us stories about the harsh realities of the ghetto. What I love most about the album is that you can feel how closer and stronger the Wu is as a unit, as a group, as brothers, as a family. The title is definitely fitting for this album.

Barbecue Etiquette: Do’s and Don’ts

The weather is getting nice out as the summer approaches. This is my favorite time of the year. If you are anything like me than you love a good barbecue. There is nothing better than family and friends gathered around for some great food and a great time. There are some things that can are certainly inappropriate for barbecues and there are some things that will definitely go without saying.

The first rule of barbecue etiquette is do not come if you are not personally invited by the host. It does not matter if it is family or a close friend. If you were not invited stay home.

If you were invited that does not make you entitled to invite others with you. Ask permission from the host or hostess.

It is rude to show up at a cook out empty handed. You should always ask what can you bring. In the case that you are told you don’t need to bring anything bring something anyway. A bag of chips, soda, napkins, paper towels and paper plates are all things that you can never have to much of. Remember that anything that you contributed is to be left there when you leave. Please do not think about wrapping up a take home plate if you have not contributed to the barbecue.

It is not necessary to pile plates up with food that you are not going to finish. Please finish the beverage that you are already drinking instead of allowing it to get warm and then going to get another one.

Remember when you bring your children to a barbecue that they are your children. So not expect others attending to watch your children. There are so many ways that children can get hurt at a barbecue so parents please be aware.

With these bases covered we are officially ready to barbecue. Enjoy your summer.

Written by Regina Alston

Everything Is Everything: The Legacy of Lauryn Hill

She was only 18 years old when the world got the chance to see and know this young girl. She appeared on the 1993 movie Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit. Then, when she was in high school, she was approached by Pras Michel, the cousin of Wyclef Jean to join a hip hop group who named themselves The Fugees and released only 2 albums. Then in 1998, she released her debut album, which is considered to be one of hip hop’s most highly respected and classic albums of all time. With her smooth and beautiful singing voice and a hard to ignore, hard hitting, in your face, rap style that caught the people’s attention, Lauryn Hill is definitely someone in the industry who is well respected and loved. With hits like “Killing Me Softly”, “Doo Wop (That Thing)”, “Everything Is Everything”, “The Sweetest Thing”, “To Zion”, or even “Ex-Factor”, Lauryn was not only a hip hop superstar but she also gave us that 1970’s soul and lyrics about love, compassion, life and gave us knowledge, she was also considered to be Neo Soul as well. She had a sound and style that was sort of similar to Erykah Badu’s or D’Angelo. I think I speak for a lot of hip hop fans when I say that it would be dope for Lauryn to drop another album. People Have been speaking about it for years after she left the spotlight after her 2002 MTV Unplugged performance. It was one of MTV’s most memorable moments. Lauryn opened up her heart and said a lot of things that she was feeling while dealing with the industry and what it did to her spiritually and mentally, freeing herself from burden and pain while she spoke her stories and sang her songs. Of course, there’s also another side of Lauryn that was often spoken about. Stories of her showing hours late to her own shows and disappointing fans but still being able to put on a great show, Lauryn still remains one of the greatest to ever do it.