http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks Listen to new songs from Hip Hops hottest artists. en Copyright 2008 2008-10-15T02:08:34-05:00 http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/joe-budden-ft-joell-ortiz-nino-bless-crooked-i-royce-da-59-slaughterhouse/ When Joe Budden jumped inside the DJBooth this past February, he revealed what he thought was an accurate release date for his long-long-long-awaited sophomore album, The Padded Room.  Unfortunately, things have not gone according to plan.  Originally supposed to drop in May, the project was rescheduled for release this month, only to again be delayed until mid-February.  To tide over longtime fans distraught over the lack of a new Budden disc, the emcee and his label, Amalgam Digital, will release an appetizer project, entitled Halfway House, on October 28.  The first release from the project is the Scram Jones-produced Slaughterhouse, a wordplay exposé put on by Budden and guests Joell Ortiz, Nino Bless, Crooked I, and Royce Da 5’9.  At seven minutes long, do not attempt to devote any less than 21 minutes (three full listens for non-math majors) to this lyrical masterpiece; otherwise you might just miss the most impressive line spit.  Street, Mixtape, Northeast, Collaborations 2008-10-15T02:08:34-05:00 http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/black-milk-ft-pharoahe-monch-sean-price-dj-premier-the-matrix/ Tronic is shaping up to be the sonic equivalent to what Tron was to video game nerds in the early 80’s.  On The Matrix, the second Booth-featured cut off the new album due out in stores on October 28, Black Milk morphs into Neo (‘The One,’ not the R&B singer). With verses from Pharoahe Monch and Sean Price, and cuts from the legendary DJ Premier, this record provides silver-screen music for all to enjoy.  Price goes in as “Clark Kent without the glasses on,” showing why he’s the hood’s favorite superstar, and an equally impressive Pharoahe Monch complements the Detroit MC/producer by expounding on the ins and outs of The Matrix. In the wake of Dirty D’s lost solider, J. Dilla, Milk continues to impress. Street, Midwest, Northeast, Collaborations 2008-10-15T02:07:00-05:00 http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/ciara-echo/ Growing up I was always told the same things by my mother and father.  Sometimes I was told separately, but more often than not it felt as though they were in tune with each other.  Similarly, it’s not hard to understand why artists always seem to be repeating themselves: in order to make sure your intended audience is clear on what you’re saying, your message needs to resonate.  In accordance with this philosophy, Ciara has created an Echo.  On this Danjahandz and The Clutch-assisted record, tentatively scheduled to appear on her forthcoming Fantasy Ride, due out December 9, Miss CiCi confirms her lock on both the hood and the burbs.  Additionally, we are told that she has moves and curves (both of which 99% of the listening population already knew, but we get the point).  By track’s end, the points are well made; are they equally well-received? Club, R&B, Pop, Unreleased 2008-10-15T02:06:37-05:00 http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/knaan-abcs/ Talk about Mama Africa: Somalian-born and Canadian-raised emcee K’Naan truly represents one of the most war-ravaged sections of his home continent. The “Dusty Philosopher” has seen firsthand the terrors of violence and deftly weaves his homeland’s agony in with the various strains of hip-hop music. On his new single, ABCs, K’Naan spits a grave tale over a synth-and-drum-driven beat from production duo Track and Field. His hometown doesn’t teach people the ABCs, but “only teach[es] us the things that guns do.,” denying its youth an education and leaving little room for anything but “life on the concrete.” To hear more of K’Naan’s stories, look for his new album, Troubadour, due out this January. Street, North of the Border 2008-10-15T02:05:23-05:00 http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/marky-sheila-i-want-her/ Hip-Hop hot spots usually stand out because of a unique sound (New York has street-heavy lyrics, Houston is chopped & screwed, and Miami has lots and lots of bass).  Unfortunately, Washington, D.C. hip-hop does not yet have a truly unifying sound.  Fear not, residents of the nation’s capital, because 19-year old newcomer Marky is here!  Helping to spearhead this movement, which is fashioned after D.C.’s go-go scene and bolstered by a deal with veteran exec Steve Rifkind’s SRC Records, is Marky’s first single, Sheila (I Want Her).  Produced by in-house beatmaker AB The Producer, the record possesses one of the earmarks of a national hit: it appeals to folks who don’t even listen to much hip-hop.  Marky’s debut album, Hate Is the New LoVe, is currently set to drop sometime in ‘09. Alternative, Club, Pop, Northeast 2008-10-15T02:04:43-05:00 http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/dj-kay-slay-ft-papoose-bun-b-chamillionaire-6-million-ways-to-die/ When a well-known mixtape DJ compiles a full-length album, strong lyrical firepower tends to accompany it, and when that DJ is Kay Slay, you can expect nothing less than the best.  On 6 Million Ways to Die, an inclusion on his forthcoming studio album, three highly energized emcees bring the heat over a sample from the Snoop Dogg classic, Serial Killa; Bun B emphasizes how he’s ready for anything, while Papoose reminds us of Sean Bell, the recent southern hurricanes, and the possibility of Barack Obama being assassinated.  On the song’s final verse, however, Chamillionaire (maintaining his curse-free style) entertainingly makes it clear that he doesn’t like the police any more now than he did when he was Ridin’ Dirty.  Though More Than Just a DJ currently has no set release date, underground mixtape buzz could give it a sturdy calendar spot. Street, Dirty South, Northeast, Collaborations 2008-10-15T02:03:20-05:00 http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/wordsmith-park-ride-the-sunset-edition/ Like other kids his age, a young Wordsmith tried to save his money in order to buy various things. Instead of purchasing action figures or other toys, though, he copped mixtapes from the likes of Nas and Da Bush Babees. Thankful that he was raised at the bosom of hip-hop, the Baltimore rapper is able to sit back and relax in his car as he mulls over his achievements on the new single, Park and Ride (The Sunset Edition). The Strada-produced song described Word’s ideal summer day, spent cruising in his ride and dropping in on a homie’s barbeque. Park & Ride can be found on Wordsmith’s forthcoming debut, Vintage Material, which is due out the first quarter of next year. Street, Northeast 2008-10-15T02:02:46-05:00 http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/emilio-rojas-young-fresh-fly/ The buzzworthy habits of Emilio Rojas have begun to take root as his newest single, Young, Fresh & Fly, has indeed given him wings. Off his Nouveau Slick EP, the record showcases Rojas’ Brooklyn bulldog flow over some impressive Illmind production work.  While the emcee is all about his business and supremely confident, Illmind creates a controlled pandemonium.  Since punch lines and innuendos only take a track so far, Rojas might have to dig his heels in a bit deeper in order to prove himself to listeners as one of the youngest, freshest and flyest to ever do it. Street, Northeast 2008-10-15T02:01:51-05:00 http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/maino-ft-soul-ii-soul-however-do-you-want-it/ From the moment he first picked up a mic until the moment before his single Hi Hater was released, rapper Maino was known only to the most avid hip-hop listeners.  Since then, however, the Brooklyn native has enjoyed a plethora of guest artist work.  For his next single, the rapper is considering However Do You Want It, which finds the emcee once again describing his rise from a life spent in and out of jail to star-studded events with paparazzi galore.  Super-producer J.R. Rotem does his thing by sampling R&B group Soul II Soul‘s classic hit, Back to Life, and using a bassline also found in Cassidy’s I’m A Hustla, 50 Cent’s I Get Money, and LL Cool J’s You Better Watch Me.  Based on the reviews of those songs inside our Booth, though, Want It might win the single nod.  If Tomorrow Comes… is set to arrive on December 30. Club, Midwest, Unreleased, Collaborations 2008-10-14T02:08:26-05:00 http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/mia-ft-jay-z-boyz-remix/ Current industry sensation M.I.A. has hardly been missing in action the past few months, with her hit single, Paper Planes, hitting the Billboard Top 10. Recognizing her growing popularity, her label, Interscope, wisely decided to re-release her successful sophomore set, Kala, featuring a remix of Boyz with none other than Jay-Z. M.I.A. rhymes nimbly over a jangling beat that she co-produced with Switch, while Hova rants about the corruption of politicians and the need for Americans to vote for Obama. The combination of this budding international star and mainstream music mogul proves to be a powerful one, and this record will likely catch tons of spins at radio as a result. Watch for Kala’s re-release to hit stores and iTunes soon on Election Day, November 4. Club, Pop, Collaborations 2008-10-14T02:07:44-05:00