Quote of The Day: Blaise Pascal

"Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from a religious conviction."

- Blaise Pascal (1623 - 1662)

Get Learned

News of the Weird

This poor Nigerian man has 86 wives and over 170 children.

Easy now Mohammed!

Best quote in the article:

"....has advised other men not to follow his example and marry 86 women."

Really? No sh*t.

Link:
86 Wives Not Good

SDTW presents "Best of Ghostface"

I put together a little tribute compilation of the "Iron Man." Not the dude in the metal suit, son! The "REAL" Iron Man a.k.a Tony Starks a.k.a Pretty Toney a.k.a the Ghostface Killah.

I've been on the Ghost train since day one. I bought "Iron Man" the day it came out in 1996. 12 years later Ghost is still making great music and is probably more relevant than ever.

He is the only member of the Clan to have not fallen off in terms of quality solo albums. Is Big Doe Rehab as good as Supreme Clientele? No, of course not, but it is however quite good when compared to the output of his contemporaries and when you consider the fact that it is his 7th full length release. Count how many rappers have more than 3 good albums? It's a small group.

Yeah, it's not that easy to do. Making this comparison between his fellow members makes that little fact even more amazing.

Allow me to elaborate:

RZA = One good solo record as Bobby Digital, still comes through on the production tip when not using guitars

GZA = One good solo record, still shows signs of brilliance on guest spots

Inspectah Deck = is better as a guest spot than as a solo artist period

U-God = Who gives a shit? I've sort of always hated on "Golden Arms" sorry...

Masta Killa = Actually had a decent solo record, but you probably don't own it

Method Man = After "Judgment Day" (which I still like) dude basically gave up making albums that we wanted to hear

Raekwon = Brilliant solo record the first time out then complete utter garbage records after that and the frustrating part is Chef delivers great verses all the time on Ghost's records and on other projects. Cuban Linx 2 is set to release at the end of the year and he claims it will change hip-hop. We'll see Rae

Cappadonna = I remember really liking some tracks on "The Pillage" when dude came out of the gate on "Ice Cream" we all thought he was going to be great. He would later go on to become a taxi driver (real talk) he has a new album out but so do New Kids On The Block

Ol' Dirty Bastard = (RIP) Great first record and so many memorable guest spots I will say that his latter work was a little too much for me and I'm not gonna front like I have some candle light vigil for dude

I combed through all of Ghost's albums listed below and even put a few jams that do not appear on any of these albums. I didn't bother to get tracks from anything outside his albums so don't tell me how there's this track on the "Juwana Man" soundtrack that is his "illest" sh*t ever cause I don't care. Tell the other 29 year old virgin, sneaker heads, that will actually care about that.

Hope you like it.

All tracks taken from the following albums:

* 1996: Ironman
* 2000: Supreme Clientele
* 2001: Bulletproof Wallets
* 2004: The Pretty Toney Album
* 2006: Fishscale
* 2006: More Fish
* 2007: The Big Doe Rehab



Track Listing:

1. Stay True featuring: 60 Second Assassin
2. Fish
3. Biscuits featuring: Trife
4. Street Opera
5. The Sun featuring: Raekwon, Slick Rick
6. The Forest
7. Guerilla Hood
8. Assassination Day
9. Run featuring: Jadakiss
10. Nutmeg featuring: RZA
11. Flowers featuring: Raekwon
12. Shakey Dog
13. One
14. The Faster Blade
15. Mighty Healthy
16. Run featuring: Jadakiss (Showoff Remix)
17. Alex (Stolen Script)
18. All That I Got Is You


Download:

SDTW Presents "The Best of Ghostface"

Elephant Man

Big Tune Alert!!!!

This one has been out for a minute, but man is it good. I'm not huge on "dance" tunes, but how can you not feel this one? So good.



Download:
Elephant Man "Gully Creepa" mp3

Eeeewwwww.....

Only one person is devious enough to booby trap my inbox with such a vile little picture of some fatty showing off her droop.

That person is Nick McPherson his website

Wacky Packages

I came across these old 70's stickers called "Wacky Packages."

They have a website where you can view the entire collection from each year.

Check it out Wacky Packages

Look on the bear's sweater.

Adek Bombing

Kind of a weird spot, but still cool.

The Clipse Presents: The Re Up Gang

I don't know what to think of this record. I certainly wouldn't have rushed out to buy it, but I know a lot of herbs are going to blog about it and request it.

That being said I really liked "Hell Hath No Fury." It had a lot of really good production and felt more cohesive than a lot of albums that came out that year. This new Re Up Gang album though sort of picks up where "We Got It For Cheap 3" left off. I really have never been a fan of Ab Liva and Sandman. Both of these dudes are clearly Pusha and Malice's "weed carriers" and although they aren't unbearable by any means they are pretty f*ckin boring and sort of act as filler between the Clipse's verses.

I don't really think they're even trying anymore it's just coke rap with a sort of operatic like feel to it which is fine when it comes together correctly, but when it's just run of the mill it gets tired quick.

Decide for yourself.

Saving grace verse:

"We gonna neva say sh*t, we the blue man group."


Download:

The Clipse Presents: "The Re Up Gang"

Lord Finesse

Gather round now kids and get learned.

I don't throw around the title of "Top 5" loosely on here, but this album is definitely in my Top 5 Rap albums ever. It is essential listening for so many reasons.

Firstly, most of the album was produced by Primo with the other tracks being provided by Diamond D, Showbiz, and one lonely track from DJ Mike Smooth. The weird thing is as much as I obsess over this record I have never really figured out what DJ Mike Smooth has to do with this album. He produces one beat and is mentioned a few times. That's it.

But forget Mike Smooth cause dude is not the reason for this album's greatness.

Finesse basically smokes every track with the most straight forward N.Y battle raps ever. He basically lays the foundation for the entire D.I.T.C style in one stroke. You hear it echoed by Showbiz & AG and most noticeably in Big L. If you like Big L than you should probably thank Lord Finesse if ever given the opportunity. Finesse made it a point to make each verse have that clever, punchy, in your face steez that L took and made even better.

After a couple of listens you'll see how much of an influence Finesse was to L.

I could go on and on about how good this LP is and how Finesse started D.I.T.C, produced tracks for "Ready To Die" and "Chronic 2001", but none of that really matters once this album starts playing.

"Cause emcees try their best to flow and catch thee/ L-O-R-D-F-I-N-E-DOUBLE S-E."

Oh and if all that wasn't enough Finesse is currently working with Premiere to create an album out of Big L tapes they found in his closet. Thank God.

Enjoy.

Download:

Lord Finesse & DJ Mike Smooth "Funky Technician"

Ghostface Killah

I've had these tracks for a long time. I remember stumbling across these on a blog and being blown away at how good they were.

As far as I know most (not all) of these tracks were left off Bullet Proof Wallets due to sample clearance issues.

The Slick Rick track alone is criminal to leave off. The beat is so different and it amazes me to no end that the label wouldn't go to bat for Tony Starks and get that joint on there. Oh well. I can't pretend like I know much about these songs other than they are all solid Ghostface tunes that you'll be glad to have.

P.S Hey Pubs didn't you ask about these jammies a while back? SDTW got you.

Track Listing:

1. The Sun feat. Raekwon and Slick Rick
2. Good Times
3. Flowers
4. The Watch
5. In The Rain
6. Weeps
7. Box In Hand


Download:

The Lost Ghostface Tracks

How To Dad

A view into the realm of Dadizm or How To Dad 101



You have to fit in your hobbies where you can so getting a new tat from Jaime King has to be done on your off day as a Dad.



I'd like to say that you get used to the pain after 3 tattoos, but you don't.



Hey Jaime, which way is the beach?



The key to being a good parent is making sure your kid doesn't grow up to be lame.



This can easily be prevented by letting your son hang out at skate shops like Goods.



People like Huffman work at stores like this and are perfect "Uncles" when you need them.



Chicks love dudes that skate. Case in point Hot Mary all over Baby Zeus.



Of course women will wear you out and you need to let Little Casa Nova sleep when you can.



But as soon as you get up you can go skate some more.



Cooking is mandatory if you don't want to suck as a Dad. Don't be fooled though cuz we still get down on mac n cheese and hot dogs like no one's business around here too.



The next morning I caught Lenox wearing his "yoga instructor's" outfit. I feel stoned just looking at it.



More cooking. This time it's waffles. I'm not gonna front like I "cook" waffles. They're f*ckin Eggos.



Good morning sunshine.



LK = Lady Killer.



Good Dads take their kids to parks and sh*t like that. We went to this hidden view in Queen Anne with Uncle Billy.



My Posse Is On Broadway!



If you look carefully you can see Billy. Just look for the purple shorts.



Faux falling.



Gleaming the cube in the parking lot.



Handplant?



Skating with Lenox and he's only 2. I could quit my job as Dad now since he's pretty much set for life.



But why quit when you can eat turkey sandwiches and listen to Minor Threat at lunch time.



This will make you want to quit sometimes. He got mad cause we couldn't skate anymore. Don't believe me? You try and take his board away. No, no I'll wait. I dare you.



It's best to sometimes let them learn on their own.



Another quick break for Dad this time it's Grime City Sunday on the patio.



Baby Hawksworth stays posted like a thumb tack.



Launch Pad dons a hoody sans tee shirt. Filthy.



Oh and Dr. Knock Boots came with me.



The last shot of the weekend. Dad and son walking home to go to bed.

Life is good...

Dethklok

Amazing. Spot on. Murderface almost looks suspect, but who really has hair like Murderface?

Revok Arrested

Speaking of graffiti laws, Indio police went and arrested whom many people in the culture consider to be one of the best graffiti artists alive: Revok.

This was only possible due to his high level profile within the media. Revok has been involved with so many projects yet still maintaining a high level of bombing. He began showing his face in magazines and videos a few years ago and I thought it was sort of a bad move.

The video that really did him in was a Boost mobile interview seen HERE

Indio really had it out for him and are most likely going to attempt to make him an "example." With Revok's recent major advertising campaigns with companies like LA Weekly, Boost Mobile, etc I think his case may become the start of a lot of heated debates on where graffiti stands in the public lexicon. If something is able to be commodified by the corporate/commercial world then you would think that there is some plausibility to the case that he is a professional and should be treated as such.


Links:

Revok Arrested

New California Graffiti Law

"The Terminator" just signed a new law that makes those who are convicted of vandalism in the state of California legally responsible to "clean up" the graffiti they produced at said property. They can also be forced to maintain the spot for up to one year.

Another BRILLIANT legislative move by the law makers to thwart illegal graffiti.

I feel like a broken record writing diatribes on why lawmakers and officials are NEVER going to create any sort of effective legislation to curb graffiti and its practitioners.

My biggest gripe with graffiti "laws" and the whole lot is that the rule of thumb always seems to be to increase the penalty and it will decrease the frequency. WRONG! It wasn't even a decade ago when they decided that making graffiti and vandalism a felony grade offense.

And how has that worked out thus far? Horrible. You are taking non-violent offenders and putting them in with other felonious offenders people who have been charged with assault, robbery, rape, to name a few.

Also and this is more specific to Los Angeles, but when these kids go to paint over graffiti in some of the more dangerous neighborhoods without the protection of the night they are quite likely to get attacked by local gangs. As was the case when 2 kids were shot and killed for doing the EXACT same thing the law requires: cleaning graffiti.

I'm realistic about graffiti. It's a crime. It should not be done with etch bath, scribes, on churches, schools, community centers, in neighborhoods, etc.

That being said it is a legitimate part of the urban environment just like smog, noise, cars, billboards, adverts, newspaper stands, bike racks, the whole lot.

This is going to be interesting to see how this one plays out. My prediction it's going to get bad. Real bad.


Links:
New California Graffiti Law

Skream and Dubstep

A little bit different vibe today with a likkle UK dubstep post.

Dubstep for the uninitiated is distinguished by its dark mood, sparse rhythms, and emphasis on bass. It borrows heavily from UK garage, grime, and 2-step genres respectively.

The first couple listens to any dubstep album are typically underwhelming. The music doesn't really lend itself to dancing like a twat (see raving) but it does have a rabid following mostly in the UK. You may never have heard of it stateside but it is extensively covered in most music popular music mags and is often called the "future" of UK music.

I went with the most obvious choice to introduce any newbs to the genre with a young man who goes simply by Skream.

The single "Midnight Request Line" is widely considered the biggest cross-over hit in dubstep's short history and most people consider Skream to be the ultimate dubstep producer.

Personally, I think most of these dudes sound the same with Burial being a slight exception with his whole "moody singing chick" style.

Most the of the draw for me is that dubstep adheres to many of the same tendencies as dancehall and often samples from the genre. It's also good drawing music to boot.

Enjoy.



Track Listing:

1. Tortured Soul
2. Midnight Request Line
3. Blue Eyez
4. Auto Dub
5. Check It (featuring Warrior Queen)
6. Stagger
7. Rutten
8. Tapped (featuring JME)
9. Kut Off
10. Dutch Flowerz
11. Summer Dreams
12. Colourful
13. Emotionally Mute



Download:
Skream "Skream!"