Avg Rating: 
4.4 ( 73 total votes )
Ludacris - I Do It for Hip Hop ft. Jay-Z & Nas
Artist: Ludacris
Producer: Wyldfire
Album: Theater of the Mind
Label: DTP/Def Jam
Since Ludacris’ sixth studio album, Theater of the Mind, is intended to have a cinematic feel, it’s understandable that the project features numerous “co-stars,” including (but not limited to) Chris Brown, T-Pain, The Game, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., and (fittingly) Spike Lee. And like all good movies, there is at least one scene that stands out above the rest; on Theater that scene is I Do It For Hip Hop. As he explains his true motivation for being an emcee (which has nothing to do with money, cars, or chains), Luda is joined by the most famous of his Def Jam labelmates, Jay-Z and Nas, each of whom goes back to the very beginning in their respective verses. The buzz behind this record (as well as early holiday sales) has been so undeniable, that the label decided to push ahead the album’s release (along with Kanye’s 808s & Heartbreak) one day to November 24. If you, too, do it for hip-hop, you’ll scoop up a copy.
This song first appeared on the
Top Hip Hop / R&B Chart
on November 24, 2008
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Member Reviews and Ratings
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 475 |
Rating:
Classic. That's the only word I can use to describe this track. All 3 verses are fire; Luda on top and the beat screams "You'll be listening to me in 20 years!" Download Kanye. BUY LUDA.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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he did it for hiphop alright!!!!!!!!
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 237 |
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All the verses were solid, beat has a dark feel to it. I was waiting for nas and Jay-Z to spit on this. But the promo talking was annoying.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 56 |
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Yeah, this is it. This is a classic. Beat is perfect for this song and the message. I do wonder if this song will gain radio play but, regardless, to me it will outshine everything on Theatre of the Mind. This is what hip-hop is about: "Poetry in Motion," where great rhymes blend seamlessly with the beat and leave you with that relaxing "ahhh" feeling.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 1622 |
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 Oh Yeeeea, I've been waiting to hear this one. Not gonna lie, this sounds like it should be a Nas song. This is a completely different style for Luda, nothing like we've ever heard before, but damn it was still fire. All three went in and spit flame, I'm not gonna try to rank them (Although Jay went in hard with that beat letting up!). Even though I think I've heard every track from this album now, I'll be coppin this on the 24th. Wouldn't say this one is a classic by any means, but 100% worthy of a 4-star rating.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 687 |
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Luda went strong, so did nas. Jay-Z is my favorite rapper, but lately I havn't liked his songs. Hopefully he's saving the good stuff for BP3.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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I just think this song is tuff.. Luda shoulda had Busta on this.. But this is a 4/5.. The album on be fire.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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That's what you call poetry in motion
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 269 |
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The lyrics go down as Classic for sure. Different style than i expected, but Damn!
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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I think everyone here described the song to perfection. Now let me point out that a CDQ version of this song needs to be leaked ASAP because the "Ludacris Theater of the Mind In stores November 24th" basically ruined it for me. I want to hear Nas' verse without having to guess what he's saying lol
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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this is not classic to me...i guess i will be the odd man out here. lol. i don't like it...nothing from his new album has really be good to me...but that's just my opinion.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 334 |
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Jesus!!! This is so Awesome!!! There is nothing wrong with this song, at all. Well the only thing that I could say that I don't like is that It kept saying "Ludacris, Theater of Mind", But I understand why though, Didn't Wanted to leak it, But had too 5 :)
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 433 |
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All I have to say is Wow. All three drop very good verses. and the production with the crowd is very neat. It sounds like it will go good with the rest of the album, maybe at the end of it. But what I wish that people would stop trying to compare this to the new Kanye Album. These two albums will not be similar in any way, so please stop.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
ima need dat buddah luda gimme da green
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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CLassic. this is what i'm talkin about. 3 of hip-hop's best lyricists. ludacris has in my top 5. the albums a must have. cant wait!!
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2281 |
Rating:
Absolute Classic material.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 11684 |
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Hey Friends, sorry about the promotional drops - this is the version Luda's label sent over.
Don't forget to check for his brand new interview inside the Booth later this week! It's can't miss. 
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 407 |
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When you see Ludacris, Nas, & Jay-Z on the same track you should automatically think CLASSIC...right?
Well before I heard this I was thnking this would be classic...but to be honest its just average to me...the lyrics are definately there from all three artists....but even though the beat does have that "theater" feel..I think it's too laid back for their rapping styles...it feels like there coming at it way to hard..when they should be going with the flow of the beat...but still they did put down great verses.. |
| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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Tastemaker |
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Poetry in motion!! All 3 did solid on this one!! Awesome beat and banging production. Wait til you hear Last Of A Dying Breed ft. Lil Wayne. This is a classic
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 434 |
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BEAT IS BANGING,LUDA IS HIS LYRICAL SELF AND HIS GONA HAVE ANOTHER PLATINUM ALBUM WITH ALL THE HOT SONGS HES DROPPING,NAS WAS A BEAST ASWELL
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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This is definitely the Hip Hop song of the year.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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This is way better than Swagger Like Us.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 312 |
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I agree with DJ MIKE E. COMPLETELY. ...the beat has a theater feel but their styles didnt vibe with the track. Great verses but the beat wasn't hittin as hard as they were and felt too laid back to keep up with their heat...got mad love for these three rappers no doubt but the beat was throwing me off on this.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2130 |
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Everything Luda dropped for this album was not popping for me AT ALL...until this! I agree...the vibe of Luda should have been more chill to match the beat's vibe. Nas was okay...but Jay snapped. I liked how he approached the whole track. I give this 4 stars easy.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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kinda disappointed after seeing the featuring and reading the reviews. the beat is tight and the hook is there, but the verses just weren't on par. nas did his thing, luda for the most part, but the first couple bars were kinda corny and jay... well, jay is one of my all time favorites, but his verse was kinda wack. still a tight song i'm just being hard on it with the caliber of artists.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1309 |
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DJ Mike E., LAMELEON, draicky captured my feeling towards this… Nas’s verse was the best fitting the beat and I’m relieved it’s not just me not feelin Jay-Z’s lyrics lately… too much pause, not enough smart lines. This has the same S.L.U. feeling, too good of a collabo to ever meet the expectations. This is something other less talented rappers could achieve. The subject matter deserves better... The crowd sound was cool though! :)
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 908 |
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Beat & scratching gets a lot of points alone. Ludacris did dope as hell, I'd tie him with Nas here. While Jay didn't reach Nas or Luda for me, it's not like he did bad.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 452 |
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Its hard to get a great collab track with some heavyweights on it. Seems like guys don't go all out and they just make these tracks to get people talking. Nas, Jay and Luda were on autopilot.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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damn this is one nice azz track.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 20 |
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THIS IS FIRE!!
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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great song. Jay-z part was alright but Luda and Nas did the damn thing.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 725 |
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The beat is bananas!!! Nice lyrical track, can't say that about too many songs these days. I am anticipating Theatre of the Mind more than any other album that has dropped this year, yes that means more than Wayne, T.I., Jeezy, and anybody else! All of the songs I've heard so far have been FIRE, and this is certainly no exception!
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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All three of these guys go hard on this track but Jay-Z just tore it up. This track is lyrically insane, but I don't think in ten years I will be saying remember "I Do It For Hip Hop"?
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Legendary...!
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 3212 |
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Honestly I'm not crazy for this song. The production is FIRE but they are boring in my opinion. I like listening to the beat and to the background music but Luda's flow never changes. There's no real melody I could remember of, anything which remains in my mind, really! It's in rotation as the beat is hot
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
LUDACRIS THEATER OF MIND... IN-STORES NOVEMBER 24th...
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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Tastemaker Total Ratings: 725 |
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PattyPatty: This is not a personal attack....but how can you say Luda's flow never changes? I listened to this song again just to make sure he wasn't using a monotone voice during his verse, but he wasn't. Luda is one of the most versatile artists in the game, not sure how you can say he never changes!?!?
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 34 |
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Jay-Z was kinda weak on this track, but Luda and Nas were SICK. They shoulda put Lupe on this. Definitely sounds like a Lupe joint and a Lupe topic.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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Tastemaker Total Ratings: 1309 |
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I'm positive Patty didn't mean "Luda's flow never changes" as in “monotone” mmoore1127. It’s more like he’s always on “Move Bitch” mode with the VOICE tone (kinda shattering, which is good! but not for every track), not that he can’t change pace. I kinda agree with her, if that’s what she meant. I loved his energy on Creepin, but this one deserved a smoother approach. And better lyrics... I must be missing the point here, y’all seem to like them so much :s Someone please quote his favorite lines!
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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Tastemaker Total Ratings: 2130 |
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I absolutely agree as well. I think that Ludacris needs to start adapting to a track's mood and tone. FredRico, you put it right on the nose! He does always been to be in a “Move @*#$!” mode...and with mellower songs, that doesn't fly as well.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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Tastemaker Total Ratings: 725 |
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Ok, I see your point FredRico, thanks for the clarification (on behalf of PattyPatty). I think the "Move @*#$!" mode kinda works on this track, as he's portraying (sp?) his passion for Hip Hop. Just my humble opinion. : )
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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Tastemaker Total Ratings: 475 |
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I have to disagree with the past 3 posters. Ludacris has one of the best, if not the best, vocal ranges in hip-hop today. He wraps his voice around any type of track and never fails to steal the show. You can't say he used his "Move B****" mode on tracks R&B tracks like "Unpredictable" or "Like You'll Never See Me Again Remix", pop tracks like the recent Jennifer Lopez collabo "Do It Well" or just straight up hood songs like the "I'm So Hood Remix". Not one of those songs have the same flow and Luda kills it on all of them. Sure he tends to talk loud but it's only because he enjoys to project his voice, unlike most rappers today, and that's just a sign of his true talent. You'll never catch Luda mumbling like Wayne or fading into the back like T.I. He always lets his voice be heard and I respect him all the more for it. He's not the guest feature king for no reason.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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Tastemaker Total Ratings: 475 |
Rating:
PS. FredRico, when people say they enjoy the lyrical content they're not referring to punchlines; each verse is told from the heart and has true meaning, that's what makes them impressive. So, I can't tell you my favorite "lines", this is a song where you can only judge by the verse as a whole. Not just individual lines.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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yet another classic by the legend that is luda. cant wait for the album to drop.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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Tastemaker Total Ratings: 1309 |
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@ DJ J: I’m well aware of those good examples you picked where Luda switches his flow to fit the beat... I could add 2 more: “Runaway Love” and “Oh” (Ciara’s). I was simply tryin to explain what Patty said, not to add my personal input. I don’t think Luda only has one mode and maybe after all neither does Patty, lol, I might have misunderstood her :p Yet, he uses the “Move B!tch” mode mistakenly sometimes…
Thanx for your feedback on the lyrics though, it makes a lot more sense the way you put it. I was honestly asking for “help” to like this cuz I love the rappers in it. |
| Posted on Nov 18, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Luda is the most versatile rapper in the game. This is one of the best songs of the year from the mainstream rappers.
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| Posted on Nov 18, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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runaway love and the im so hood remix iz where i LUV luda tha most!!!!...damn, thoze hott...but thiz- o_m_goodness i wanna say lotza yall r DEAF!...if they were different people who sounded jus lyk that wud u still lyk it- yaaa suuuure u wud..ok then...luda wuz tha only one that wuz gud on thiz trak. thiz aint sh*t 2 get x-ited about. 2-for LUDA!! MOVE!
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| Posted on Nov 18, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
*track
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| Posted on Nov 18, 2008 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 736 |
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Dope song, definately coppin theatre of the mind when it drops. The hook was nice, Luda and nas was on point... but jay coulda done a lot better, this still classic to me
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| Posted on Nov 18, 2008 |
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Tastemaker Total Ratings: 736 |
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And I agree with Mr. Phoster=] busta or cham woulda been better here instead of jay
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| Posted on Nov 18, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 52 |
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Good song, but does there really have to be an annoying voice all the way through it. This version is not worth listening to, go to youtube.
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| Posted on Nov 18, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Crew Total Ratings: 11684 |
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UPDATE - A new version has been replaced; no more promo drops.
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| Posted on Nov 18, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Sweeeeettt!! U cant go wrong with Luda and Nas fool its a rap!!!!!
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| Posted on Nov 18, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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dope...lol at the jab at jaz-o....jay a funny style nigga yo
but its funny so many people here that throw those 5 stars at anything...yall know it means that somethin is classic right? how dare you to ever ask me for a 16/ cuz i was better than you at 16/still cock back the hammer and give you 16 |
| Posted on Nov 18, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
this song tight luda jay and nas is bad ass and them on this song makes it dope
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| Posted on Nov 18, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 78 |
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I really liked Jay-Z's old skool feel at his verse. Nas classic as always. And Luda, probably one of the top 5 rappers from the south (Outkast, T.I.and Bun B)
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| Posted on Nov 19, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 87 |
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One of the best trakcs in a while!
classical! 5 starz! |
| Posted on Nov 20, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 87 |
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i gotta leave 2 reviews!! Jay-Z kills it!
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| Posted on Nov 20, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
REAL TALK!!!
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| Posted on Nov 20, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
Rating:
@*#$! Lil Wayne, 3 of the best if not the 3 in the game today on this track. It's very good. 4 stars instead of 5 just because this is not a 5 star song. Its just gettin the 5 because of the names. If this was a lesser rapper then it wouldnt be gettin 5 stars.
But dont get me wrong, this is hot song |
| Posted on Nov 21, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 31 |
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Its official its hot jay z is the best 4 real
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| Posted on Nov 25, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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I disagree with Egull. Even if this was done by a "lesser rapper" It would still be rated high by true hip hop fans at least, People who can look past the big names and appreciate good music and lyrics when they hear it.
Back to the song. Great track by Luda and all the featuring artists. Everything was great on it but for some reason I think I could be just the tiny bit better but I can't put my finger on what exactly that is. With that being said. Luda has done it again and this song is great. 4.5 out of 5. |
| Posted on Nov 28, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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This is SICK!!!! a total classic
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| Posted on Nov 30, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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See when this stuff happens,hiphop should start cryin,guys get rich an they suddenly stop tryin,giants n just rhymin,nonchalance factory,laid back bars,gettin lazy on a fat beat,2dollar champagne from cristal bubbly,3came t dine only 1 a dems hungry.
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| Posted on Dec 04, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Jay-z ruined this track with his (typical) biting of Joell Ortiz but the beat along with Luda and Nas gets it a solid 4
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| Posted on Dec 05, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Love the beat love the people featured or as luda would say "co-starred". J did the damn thing, Nas did his thing too
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| Posted on Dec 11, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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I AINT GOT NOTHING TO SAY ...............................
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| Posted on Dec 14, 2008 |
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| Posted on Dec 17, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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classic, Luda's a beast!!
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| Posted on Dec 22, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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fire...coulda kept jay z out of this one though - luda would have been better off reppin this one his own banger
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| Posted on Dec 26, 2008 |
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| Posted on Dec 28, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 132 |
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SEE NA IF U RATE ANY LESS DEN CLASSIC U NEED TUH KILL YO SELF CUZ LUDACRIS N JAYZ....CMON NIGA U NO DAM WELL DIS TRACC GON KILL...N DEN NAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FAREAL DIS IS ON DA ALBUM OF DA YEAR...KEEP DOIN YO SHYT LUDA U A LEGEND IN DIS GAME NIGA!!!!!
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| Posted on Jan 05, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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AND DATZ WHY WE LOVE LUDACRIS. so he duz it 4 hip hop, and dats why it aint dead yet. waitin 4 a remix from some one. a westrider banger version maybe?
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| Posted on Jan 09, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 132 |
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Y DIS WYTEBOI NIGA TRYNA ADD ON MUH SHYT...SMH CRACKAZ GET ON MUH DAM NERVES HOP OFF
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| Posted on Jan 27, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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We all know nas started this whole hip hop is dead thing and on this album wayne states that Hip Hop aint dead it just had a heart attack" raw track showes that some rappers still do it for hip hop....not for the car and the fancy drops... this is what you call poetry emotion... you dont know nuttin bout that... banger
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| Posted on Feb 09, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
i do it 4 hip hop!!!!!!!!!!!
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| Posted on May 30, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 28 |
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Just found this i dont know how.
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| Posted on Jun 29, 2009 |
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Tastemaker Total Ratings: 477 |
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Lyrically great.
You did it for hip-hop all right. |
| Posted on Jul 21, 2009 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2065 |
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I really want to like this song with all the talent here, but I don't think they bring their best. Its ok for a first listen, but i wood listen to this again.
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| Posted on Oct 24, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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fire !
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| Posted on Dec 27, 2009 |
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| Posted on Jan 05, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 198 |
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straight fire!
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| Posted on Feb 16, 2010 |
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| Posted on Feb 26, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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3 AMAZING rappers on one song. dont see that to much, instant classic 2 of the 3 rappers on this song would be consitered top 10 of all time
(nas and jay z) |
| Posted on Mar 09, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 203 |
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Rating this any lower than banger, aside from being a crime, is the same as holding a big picket sign above your head saying "I DON'T HAVE A BRAIN STEM THAT RECOGNIZES GOOD TUNES"
In recognition of taste, I rounded this up to classic. The beat matches all of them, bringing a laid back yet energetic vibe. Apparently there are those among the ranks who don't see this as the good thing that it is. As a matter of fact, their styles all match it perfectly so pass me whatever y'all hit before listening. It has to be pretty strong to dull down sense /that/ much. Whatever it is, some of you must have taken two or three hits to go so far as saying that Luda should change his flow from "move b****" mode. At that point I noticed the telltale signs that heavy drugs were involved. |
| Posted on Mar 09, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 224 |
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I love this song. Luda, Nas, and Jay-Z were awesome! Classic!
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| Posted on Sep 02, 2010 |
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| Posted on Sep 26, 2012 |
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