Monday, August 20, 2007

Top 50 Non Hip Hop Songs Of The 80’s That Hip Hop Fans Loved (As Compiled By Dart Adams)

I grew up in a great time for popular music. It wasn’t weird to see a Black man with a guitar making music that Black people actually bought and back then people would play a mix of music from different genres and no one would bat an eyelash...the party would continue to rock on. I also grew up with more than just Hip Hop, as a kid we had Prince ushering in the Minneapolis sound along with The Time. We had groups like Loose Ends, the S.O.S. Band, Atlantic Starr, Club Noveau, Full Force, Ready For The World and a slew of other groups that helped to change the face of popular urban music. The other thing was that this was the last era in which “pop” music made by what was usually termed to be by groups that made “White” music would get spins alongside other “urban” music made by Black artists.

For those of us who grew up in the 80’s, we knew that Madonna’s first joints go hella spin on urban stations (they sent them white labels) and for the longest everyone just assumed she was Black...that’s right! Kids danced to “Lucky Star” thinking Madonna was a sista. Back then it was nothing to hear a joint by Duran Duran, Hall & Oates, Pat Benatar, Phil Collins, The Police or Blondie played in the middle of a regular “urban music” set/playlist. What irks me the most is that DJ’s do this type of thing now and people call them “cutting edge”...Bullshit! It’s called being a goddamn DJ! You play different shit to people that may or may not of heard it. That’s what Afrika Bambataataa did. That’s what Kool Herc did.

These songs often ended up being sampled and reinterpreted/interpolated into songs today. Shit, sometimes I think Pharrell just jacked all of the sounds from some of these songs and made his “In My Mind” LP (I know Melvin Riley’s vocal style when I hear it Skateboard P!)

Nowadays, genres are so segregated and controlled by corporate interests that it’s not possible to ever have the radio be like it was in the 80’s again. I decided to go through some old tapes from the radio from between 1980 to 1989 and ido a whole bunch of legwork and investigating to delve into the phenomenon of urban kids that liked “White” pop from the 80’s. Since it’s the music we all listened to it’s no surprise that the most serious B Boy would know all of the words to A Ha’s “Take On Me”...something that kids from this generation can’t seem to grasp.



Well, here’s a list of a bunch of songs that we used to rock to back then in between the Soul, R&B and Hip Hop we ingested alongside it. If you are for whatever reason not familiar with some of these songs, I suggest you hear most of them through YouTube...be warned, some of these videos were just downright weird or borderline gay. Apparently, the hood was really feeling synthpop from the UK in the 80’s (you’ll see what I mean). In order to make this list a challenge I decided to not include some of the obvious 80's groups like The Go Go's, The Police, Hall & Oates, Phil Collins, Blondie, Duran Duran, Pat Benatar, David Bowie, Culture Club, Michael McDonald and a few others that would normally dominate a list like this. Here’s another goddamn list for you all to read courtesy of me:

1. Everybody Wants To Rule The World-Tears For Fears
This song has been sung by people of all walks of life for years. What Cold War kid doesn’t know it?

2. Once In A Lifetime-Talking Heads
3. Moments In Love-Art Of Noise
This and “Beat Box” were the jams!

4. Rock Me Amadeus-Falco
The extended mix of "Rock Me Amadeus" got more burn then you'd ever believe on urban radio.

5. Genius Of Love-Tom Tom Club/Rock The Casbah-The Clash (tie)
6. Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)-Euryhtmics
7. Shout-Tears For Fears
After Jazzy Jeff cut “Shout” up live it was a wrap!

8. 99 Luftballoons-Nena
This beat was so bananas that people didn’t even care that Nena was singing in German.

9. Big Beat-Billy Squier/Everything She Wants-Wham!
10. Cars-Gary Numan
11. Confusion-New Order
Every cheerleading team in the ‘hood had a routine to this song.

12. Never Gonna Give You Up-Rick Astley
13. She Blinded Me With Science-Thomas Dolby
This joint is gangsta. Just ask Havoc and Prodigy of Mobb Deep.

14. Din Daa Daa-George Kranz
Not even a cheesy ass flick like “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo” could take the luster off of this classic jam.

15. Running Up That Hill-Kate Bush
You’d be surprised at how big this song was in the inner city.

16. True-Spandau Ballet
Black folks still love this song to this day...Just ask Lloyd.

17. Burning Down The House-Talking Heads
18. Crackdown-Cabaret Voltaire
If you ain’t up on Cabaret Voltaire from Sheffield in the UK, then get ta learnin’. You’ve probably heard their beats before and didn’t even realize it.

19. I Can’t Wait-Nu Shooz
This one of the definitive 80's synth pop joints. Naughty By Nature flipped it on their "19 Naughty III" LP.

20. Beat Box-Art Of Noise
21.Look Of Love-ABC
22. Mickey-Toni Basil
Duh! This joint had to be on the list.

23. Our House-Madness
24. Here Comes The Rain Again-Eurhythmics
This group’s music has been used by Hip Hop artists for almost 25 years now. Especially this song.

25. Don’t You Want Me Baby-Human League
26. Poison Arrow-ABC
27. White Horse-Laid Back
This song came out of nowhere to become one of the biggest B Boy songs to throwdown to.

28. Something About You-Level 42
29. Mirror In The Bathroom-English Beat/Suddenly Last Summer-The Motels (tie)
English Beat was one of the biggest and most important groups of the 80’s...as was The Motels.

30. Sensoria-Cabaret Voltaire
31. Point Of No Return-Nu Shooz
32. Words-Missing Persons
33. I Know What Boys Like-The Waitresses
This punkish/New Wavey joint was popular everywhere, just ask Jay-Z.

34. Soft Cell-Tainted Love
35. Nineteen-Paul Hardcastle
Yet another B Boy joint from the past.

36. Relax-Frankie Goes To Hollywood
37. Promised You A Miracle-Simple Minds
Most people only remember Simple Minds for “Don’t You Forget About Me”. This joint was the one that had heads open, though.

38. Blue Monday-New Order
39. Owner Of A Lonely Heart-Yes
40. The Metro-Berlin
Did you like “Millionaire” with Kelis and Andre 3000? Well, whoever produced it loved Berlin’s “The Metro”.

41. Eyes Without A Face-Billy Idol
42. Don’t Dream It’s Over-Crowded House
43. Wouldn’t It Be Good-Nik Kershaw
This was Nik’s only hit in the US. It was a damn good one.

44. Only The Lonely- The Motels
45. West End Girls-Pet Shop Boys
This song got a lot of burn on urban radio...no one knew they had a lot in common with “Wham!” back then.

46. Come On Eileen- Dexy’s Midnight Runners
It's too damn bad that this was the only hit these cats could come up with.

47. No More Words- Berlin
48. People Are People- Depeche Mode
49. Destination Unknown- Missing Persons
Missing Persons was another crazy group from the 80’s. They had some joints, too.

50. Just Got Lucky-JoBoxers
A lot of people forgot about this classic from one hit wonders JoBoxers. I didn’t, though.

There it is! © Run DMC

One.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

It Was Written AKA The More Emotion I Put Into It, The Harder I Blog

The blog I was going to post here on Thursday I instead sent over to my boy Eric at When They Reminisce. You can read my Top 25 Greatest Beats List there now. I was going to write a blog about my experiences at Fenway Park since I went to the early game of the day/night double header and it was my birthday (the blog was to be entitled "Dart Adams Is 32...And Blogging"). I decided to hold off on writing until the end of the double header (which it looked like the Red Sox were gonna come back and win). Just then, fate intervened in the guise of Eric Gagne (who has cost the Red Sox three wins since he's put on the uniform) and gave up 3 runs in the top of the 9th when he only needed 2 more outs to get the save and secure the win. Instead what happened was that the Red Sox ended up with a 5 game lead over the Yankees again (who had just taken the lead back at the time).

Here's what happened. The Yankees lost the night before, making the lead 5.5 games. The Red Sox won the first game of the doubleheader I went to behind highly touted pitching prospect Clay Buccholz (and Lackey continuing to have horrible luck against the Red Sox) and pushed the lead to 6 before the Sox and Yanks played their night games.Add to that the fact Doug Mirabelli (the specialist that catches Tim Wakefield) ended up on the 15 day DL and that Wily Mo Pena was announced to have been shipped to the Washington Nationals for a player to be named later after the 1st inning was over meant that the Sox were gonna bring up Bobby Kielty from Pawtucket as well as catcher Kevin Cash. Tek was gonna have to catch for 18 innings. Not good.

Provided that the Red Sox are playing the always dangerous Los Angeles-Anaheim Angels, the Sox can't afford to drop games...especially when the Yankees are still somewhat hot and Vladimir Guerrero is on the field. The Sox could've kept the lead at 6 or even pushed it to 7 with a Yankees loss and a Red Sox win. A lot of stuff was going on and after that game was dropped and the Yankees came back to win the led was once again back down to 5 games. I was so pissed off and emotionally drained at the end of that day (that included yet another victorious trip to Fenway) that I wasn't in the right mindframe to write anything...not even a damn shopping list.

Yesterday, I just watched the Yankees/Tigers game (Yankees won) and then the Red Sox/Angels (Red Sox won) while at the same time trying to see if any of those new promos floating around from the Graduation LP had any songs I hadn't heard yet. It turns out they do but they are copy protected so you can upload any of the tracks...pretty sneaky Kanye! I've heard some good things about the track "Homecoming" featuring Chris Martin of Coldplay as well. By now I'm sure everyone has seen the YouTube video from Tim Westwood of the UK's Radio 1 where Kanye West played parts of two songs, "Big Brother" and "Champion" here is the video for those of you that haven't seen it yet:



To top that off, a song featuring Kanye West and Lil' Wayne called "Barry Bonds" had hit the net days before...it's not even supposed to be on the album. The same day this YouTube video hit the net (I caught it on a thread on Okayplayer), a Zshare audio rip of Kanye previewing the T Pain featured "Good Life" hit the net as well. Check out the live performance video here:



It's looking like "Graduation" is going to live up to the lofty expectations myself and other music fans have for it.Well, I'll just get back to watching this Sox game (which isn't going very well right now...Julian Tavarez gave up 2 runs in the 1st inning) and try to write a blog for tomorrow today.

One.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Revenge Of The 80’s presents Voltron: Defender Of The Universe





The story goes that there were evil forces at work trying to enslave the good people of the universe. In order to protect them an alliance was forged between the righteous and they devised a force that would police the wide expanses of space called the Galaxy Alliance (sounds like an old school Rap group). There were two teams formed, one was in charge of defending the near reaches of the universe and the other was in charge of defending the farther reaches of the universe. They were called the Voltron Force...at least that was the story cooked up for the American version of the Japanese cartoon series’ that was liscenced and heavily edited by World Events.

In actuality, there was no Voltron Force. What we American know as Lion Voltron and Car/Vehicle Voltron are known in Japan as GoLion and Armored Fleet Dairugger XV. Armored Fleet Dairugger XV actually aired in 1982 in Japan, two full years before GoLion while in America we saw the Lion Voltron show (commonly known as Voltron) a full year before Vehicle Voltron first aired. The Vehicle version of Voltron completely failed to capture the imagination of North American children and was largely ignored in Europe as well.


It’s ratings for the show were pretty anemic and in many cases parents would go out to buy Voltron toys for their kids, not be able to find the Lion Voltron toys (because they were usually sold out) and had to settle for purchasing the 15 piece vehicle version. Kids all over the US were not amused.

The Lion version of Voltron just seemed so much cooler. He started out as five lions and then transformed into a big ass robot with growling tigers for hands and feet. Then to top it off, when he wanted to kill his Ro Beast (which quickly became a slang term for ugly people...don’t act like you didn’t use it!) enemy he formed the Blazing Sword and used his tried and true finishing move that was emblematic of most Japanese giant robot shows.

The Lion Voltron toy was so popular that there were multiple licenses floating around Asia, Europe and North America producing official, semi official, and just plain ol’ bootlegged versions of both robots. The Americanized versions of the Voltron toys were made of lower grade material (sometimes even plastic) and were far inferior to the imported versions. When the holiday season rolled around a lot of money was made for Bandai, the original owners of the Voltron rights from selling the toy options to several companies all over the world.




Once the Vehicle Voltron show began airing, World Events had the idea to possibly option the rights to a third Japanese robot series and to develop a third show featuring another Voltron team comprising of three different robots, Alpha, Beta and Gamma. It was to be called Gladiator Voltron and air a year after the first full run of the Vehicle Voltron series aired. The Gladiator Voltron appeared for a brief time on a view screen during an episode of the 2nd Voltron series. Since no one watched it, no buzz was generated for it at all. Those plans were crushed by the underwhelming response to the 2nd Voltron series received in North America and Europe.





The kids and teens couldn’t get behind a team of 15 vehicles flying in space that formed Voltron, why in the hell would you need a car or an airplane in space? It’s fuckin’ space! Plus, the cars could fly which made no sense to American audiences...it didn’t help that Voltron had these cars for feet. He looked like a robot on roller skates with a big ass red plane on his chest.

Not only was the series panned by Lion voltron fans, but no one was really feeling the toy. It had too many pieces and in many cases the stoppers that were supposed to be on the two foot cars would come off first, meaning that the fully transformed Vehicle Voltron would roll right off displays/tables/dresser drawers (usually when he was holding the heavy ass hard plastic sword), hit the floor and parts/vehicles would shoot off every which way never to be found again or just break. They did help keep Krazy Glue in business back in the 80’s...not a good look at all.

Even after the Vehicle Voltron series had aired, the prevailing fan sentiment in North America was that “Voltron” just meant the lions. Even to this day, when some one mentions Voltron the first image that pops in their heads is five different colored lions linking together ending with the classic line “and I’ll form the head”.




World Events scrapped their plans to produce another Voltron series and bring the Gladiator Voltron toys (pictured below) to North America and Europe. They instead decided to option other Japanese properties like what ended up becoming “Saber Rider And The Star Sherriffs”. The original GoLion and Armored Fleet Dairugger XV series’ in Japan had considerably more violence and in some cases death and blood, before they were brought to America they were heavily edited.

The end result was that the Voltron series appealed mostly to young children. After about 2 years on syndicated television, Voltron began getting it’s ass kicked in the ratings by more sophisticated shows like Robotech, G.I. Joe and Transformers as well as other more popular new cartoons like The Adventures Of The Galaxy Rangers and World Events new show Saber Rider And The Star Sheriffs. Voltron had a nice run and everyone involved made Medellin cartel money.

Recently, a Voltron movie was optioned and greenlighted. A spec script is currently in develop as I type this blog. Is there a fuckin’ 80’s cartoon that ISN’T going to end up on the silver screen? Damn! Anyways, the original unedited GoLion and Dairugger episodes are all now available on DVD as both Voltron episodes and the original Japanese anime series. If you feel like watching another cartoon from your childhood that really wasn’t as good as you originally thought it was when you watched it as a kid (I’m looking at you He-Man & The Masters Of The Universe...word to Teela’s cartoon thighs) than rent them from Netflix or Blockbuster.



One.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

What’s New In Dart’s iPod #2 AKA Ya Boy Is Back At It

This segment received such an overwhelmingly positive response last time that I decided to bring it back and maybe even make it a regular segment on my blog. For the uninitiated I will again explain my three point "Cop It Or Not" rating scale below:

Oh No! This CD is a drink coaster/table balancer/doorstop/gerbil/hamster room divider/frisbee/discus/makeshift shield/last ditch choice for a visor/alternate shuriken choice. Sell this shit to whoever's dumb enough to buy it from you.

Maybe (Maebe)! Depending on your own set of personal preferences you might like this joint. Give it a listen first to see if it's your lane or not.

Mos Def! Cop the album when it drops...'Nuff said.

It's time to begin again © Mobb Deep


Swizz Beatz-One Man Band Man

I might not be the best person to give a review of this album but fuck it, I’ll try anyways. I was one of those backpackers that thought Swizz Beatz was a big part of what was wrong with the Rap industry when he first appeared on the scene at age 16 making “beats” out of Roland demos and flooding the radio with keyboard based production minus samples. His erratically placed hi hats, bells, whistles and claps made my ears bleed from 1998 until now. He has become one of the most successfull producers on the planet of the lastdecade, earning himself his own label, Full Surface. He also commands six figures for beats that will become potential hit singles. His first solo album “G.H.E.T.T.O Stories” has been used in landfills and occassionally for skeet shooting targets. I have cooled on my hatred of Swizz’s production in recent years due to the fact that I’m older. I have low expectations for this album but if it turns out to surprise me I won’t hesitate to say I was wrong and give Swizz his proper credit for carrying an album on his own. I’m not expecting him to be Large Professor, Diamond D, Pete Rock, J Dilla or DJ Quik...I know better than that. Let’s get started:

“Product Man” is the album intro where he inforrms the listener that he is, in fact the product man and he has that product. Apparently he gets “it” in and he has a bunch of material items and he’s sold 100 million albums. What he doesn’t have is a dope flow, any lyrical talent or creativity (although he’s convinced
himself that he does). The next song is the lead single “It’s Me Bitches” and the song is basically one annoying repeated chorus behind a beat with more horns and bells than a kid’s toy. “Big Munny” is about what else, big money. The song is pretty much just a chorus and after the first 1:45 of the song is over there is no more rapping on the song...which is a good thing cuz Swizz wasn’t sayin’ shit anyways. On the plus side, the beat is kinda nice. On “Bust Ya Gunz” Swizz resurrects a couple of old choruses before he spits a lack luster verse, thus making some of my feelings of hatred for his previous work rear it ugly head. Thankfully, Drag-On shows up and spits a verse that almost does the beat justice (why didn’t you write some verses for Swizz?).

Of course, my brother Buc points out something that I wouldn’t have caught right away. He said “listen to the layering of those drums...he didn’t produce this track. Swizz’s drums never sound like that, his drums are mad weak.” Sure enough, Needlz produced it. Damn shame cuz it would’ve been two beats Swizz Beatz made that I liked in a row. The streak stopped at one. The next song is called “You Know Your Boy Did That”, Swizz didn’t do the beat on this track either (which you wouldn’t know by hearing it). The song is almost 5 minutes, making it about 2 minutes too long in my opinion. Why is Swizz half rhymin’ for almost 5 minutes on a song by himself? Where’s the quality control? Next thing you know he’ll try to kick one of those personal joints and try to get introspective...you know, overreach his bounds. Next track we come to is called “The Funeral”...Uh oh! It’s the moment I feared.

This song is a fuckin’ trainwreck from thestart. The beat is nice but Swizz really should have hired a ghostwriter for this track (God knows he can afford it!). Lyrically, it’s all over the place and I really can’t believe that no one stopped this track from making the album. It’s really that embarassing, I’m not exaggerating. “Take A Picture” uses the “Lovely Day” beat that has been used a hundred times before with some more lame lyrics. This track is skippable. “Top Down” has a dope beat and wack lyrics, if Diddy has the common sense to have his people write his verses, then why doesn’t Swizz get Cassidy to write him some bars? It’s beyond me. “Money In The Bank” is the album’s second single and it’s essentially an annoying ass 3 minute hook. I hate this track. Next up is “Part Of The Plan”, the beat drives you towards an introspective story type song...oh shit, here we go again!

“Part Of The Plan” is another shitstorm execution wise. At one point Swizz actually says “I wish I could fly away on a unicorn”. A unicorn, nigga? There wasn’t ONE fuckin’ nerd around that could have told your dumb ass that unicorns have the one horn in the middle of their heads and the horse with wings is called Pegasus? Not the engineer? Not an A & R at the label? No one? Fuck this song. Next up is a skit where Snoop Dogg calls Swizz. It does nothing to enhance the album whatsoever so why is it the second to last track? God only knows. The final track is a clusterfuck of a remix to a song I already hated, “It’s Me..” featuring Lil’ Wayne (homo thug), R. Kelly (pedophile with bladder issues) and Jadakiss. Of course, Jadakiss only rhymed for the last 30 seconds of the track..and on the C.R.E.A.M. beat. I guess Jada was like “I’m not rhyming over this bullshit excuse for a beat”. Am I wrong for thinking that a remix should have a different beat? Why is it that remixes nowadays consist of a ProTooled version of the same fuckin’ track with 3 more trash people rhyming on it?

In conclusion, this album is a 12 track farce of a real hip hop album. Without substance in the actual track, a catchy hook can only get you a hot single. Now, if you try to do that for an entire album it’s going to get old really quick and backfire. The lyrics on this album were pretty weak, this is a time when you NEED multiple guest appearances and Swizz foolishly decided to go it alone with disastrous results. If I had aim like Bullseye (pictured below) I’d throw this bullshit CD at Swizz like a ninja star to ensure that he never gets the chance to make another wack ass solo album. Stay in your lane, kid!

Make hits, scream out annoying hooks and show up in other peoples videos. I’m using this jewel case for another CD, cleaning beneath my finger nails with the liner notes and using the CD itself as a coaster.




Boot Camp Click-Casualties Of War

This Boot Camp Click album is made mostly of track that didn’t make “The Last Stand” and were recorded in session after the albums completion. The BCC crew can get open on any beat and make it an event so that adds to listening experience. “The Hussle” is typical BCC shit, it always feels good to hear Rock’s voice on a track. “What You See” features the crew over a familiar beat while Sean Price spits another fierce verse. “BK All Day” features the return of the 5 Ft. Excellerator over a fire beat. The Marco Polo produced “My World” is a banger in every sense of the word. It gets followed some slick 9th Wonder production on “I Need More” where everyone on the track comes off but Sean Price once again steals the show. “Jail Song” features Rockness once again sending a message to his brother Lidu Rock from The Reprasentativz. So far on this project we haven’t heard too many contributions from O.G.C., I’m wondering where Starang is.

“A Yo” is typical Boot Camp shit, dope beat with Buckshot playing point throughout the track. “Casualties Of War” is a story/introspective track over a nice beat that works well with the rest of the album. “I Want Mine” showcases the BCC and some of their affiliates over another ill Marco Polo beat. “Everyday Shit” just bored the hell out of me. “Words From Tek” is pretty much a mixtape track/interlude that bring us to the album’s finale “Yesterday”. The song is cool but this project is missing something.

In the end, you could tell this wasn’t a cohesive album like “The Last Stand” was. There wasn’t enough of a presence from Sean Price, Rock or O.G.C. (especially Starang). I heard Buckshot, Tek and Steele all over the project as well as Supreme but not enough of the other members of the Great Eight. This album is far from bad but it doesn’t measure up to the previous excellent Duck Down releases of the last 3 years. If you’re a die hard Duck Down fan you’ll cop it anyways, otherwise just wait for the upcoming Duck Down releases. This one gets a maybe from me.




NBS- Evolution

Ever since NBS’ track “Spazzin’” first took over the Boston airwaves back in 2004 and played on 88.9, 94.5, and 97.7 and became one of the few groups to acheive the radio“Triple Crown” the New England area knew that NBS was a force to be reckoned with. Natural Born Spittaz are one of the best groups from the Cambridge/Boston scene and they have recently released a mixtape full of 38 NBS tracks spanning the last few years that showcases the evolution of V Knuckles and E Flash. They have enlisted the production help of the illest producers from the area. Being that I’ve been listening to these dudes joints for years now I’m looking forward to hearing some Hip Hop in which the lyrics and beats are of the highest quality. Let’s go!

IroQ of IroQ & John D.O.E. provides the heat for the intro and Neomatrix did his thing on the heat rock “Clapped”. V Knucks and E Flash spit nice verses back to back over some original sample based production (take notes, Swizz...THIS is how a beat should sound!). The “This Is How We Do” freestyle leads into the WMS The Sultan produced “One” featuring Lady Repo. This joint is hot as well. “Frozen Hearts” sounds like some classic hard Hip Hop the way it was intended to be made. The classic “Spazzin’” still sounds as fresh as it did the first time I heard it years ago. The Stu Bangas produced “Move” sounds like that hood anthem fight music that’s been lost in this single based commercialized Rap era. How did we let Mobb Deep sound like a damn boy band? This shit is like a breath of fresh air to me, fam.

There are 38tracks on this mixtape featuring hot production from heads like J. Cardim, Cyrus Tha Great, Stu Bangas, WMS The Sultan, IroQ, Gas Smiley, Zach Johnson and Sicknature. These cats live up to their names and bless the listeners with lyrical hardcore street shit (trust me A & R’s and record label presidents, it actually exists!), something that is sorely missing from the landscape of the Rap industry today. NBS has put up this mixtape of their past material up for free download on their website. This is just a taste to get you all wet for when the album drops. Meanwhile, visit their MySpace and download this mixtape right fuckin’ now.



What I’m looking forward to coppin' in the near future when it leaks...I mean drops:

Kanye West-Graduation
I will buy as many copies as I can without putting myself in financial trouble. I need to have my internet, cable and Netflix covered every month but if one of those gets cut off it’s worth it if it means that 50 Cent retires from the Rap game.

DJ Muggs Vs. Sick Jacken f/Cynic-The Legend Of The Mask & The Assassin
I have been hearing tracks from this project for more than a month. This album just might become the underground surprise album of the Fall based on the joints I’ve heard so far.


Special Teamz-Stereotypez
Boston legends Ed. O.G. and Jaysaun team up with everyone’s favorite crazy white boy, Slaine (at least in Boston, that is) for their long awaited debut album on Duck Down Records. After hearing the mixtape, I’m really looking forward to full length.

I'll be back with another one of these before the week is over. Believe it.

One.

Monday, August 13, 2007

Dart's Open Letter To Red Sox Nation AKA Don't Panic!

I am in part writing this for myself as well...The Red Sox are currently the possessors of a slim 4 game lead over the surging New York Yankees. The Red Sox have played .500 baseball over the last 10 contests while the Yankees have been on a tear ever since the All Star break. The Red Sox have also had uncharacteristic breakdowns with their bullpen as of late. The highly vaunted free agent signing of Eric Gagne was supposed to cement the Red Sox bullpen and make them unfuckwittable...that hasn't happened as Gagne has failed to pitch a clean inning in a Red Sox uniform in his 6 appearances following his acquisition. The lowly Baltimore Orioles took two out of three from the Sox (save for a gem pitched by Josh Beckett) in dramatic heart wrenching walk off fashion in front of an overwhelming crowd of Red Sox supporters who normally can't get tickets to Fenway Park so they travel to away games to watch their beloved team. This past week and weekend have been a huge disappointment to Sox fans as the lead over the Evil Empire has shrunk from 6 games to 4.

Not only did the Sox leave runners stranded but they blew routine plays in the field, made bonehead base running mistakes (Manny, Lowell I'm looking at you!) and they had meltdown in the bullpen all against the best fielding team in the AL. The Orioles fielder made several key plays that saved runs that would've won each game...add to that they NEVER quit. No matter how far down they were they kept swinging. I just hope they can beat the shit out of the Yankees who play them next while the Red Sox play 3 against the division doormat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

For the rest of this month leading into September, the last 45 games of this season are in the Sox favor. Sure, the worst case scenario is that the Red Sox drop one against the Devil Rays and the Yankees sweep the Orioles and make it a 3 game lead, but remember Red Sox Nation:

1. The Yankees have a tough ass stretch of games starting August 16th where they play 4 games against the Detroit Tigers, then travel to Anaheim to play 3 straight against the Angels, then travel to Detroit to play 4 more after an off day all before flying to Boston to face the Red Sox for 3 pivotal games in Fenway Park.

2. The Red Sox have JUST gone through the hell part of their schedule and during it the Yankees were hot and cut the lead from 8 games to 4 games with 45 games left in the season.

3. The Red Sox have a pretty easy September with mostly home games and a mid month three game series against the Yankees.

4. It's NOT 1977, 1978, 1986, 1999, or 2003...it's 2007.

5. The Yankees aren't just chasing the Red Sox but Seattle, Anaheim and Detroit. The Red Sox are in front.

So stop watching those tapes of the 1978/1986/2003/2005/2006 seasons to toughen you up for when the disappointment/heartbreak hits (yes, Red Sox fans do this...it's not a stereotype cuz I'm guilty of it as well) and repeats of "The Bronx Is Burning". Keep your heads up, put on your Red Sox gear, go to the pub or your couch or your friend's house with the big TV or to Fenway Park and cheer on the Red Sox. No bitching, moaning, whining, complaining or doomsday prophecies or predictions will be tolerated (cuz ain't none of y'all Nostradamus!). Let's watch Wake continue his dominance of the Devil Rays and cheer on your team as loud as possible.

Oh yeah...Fuck the Yankees! (Sorry, I had to do it)

One.

Friday, August 10, 2007

What’s New In Dart’s iPod? AKA An Excuse For Me To Review New Leaks And Releases

I know I usually write a long ass lead in to these posts but I've been away from the blog for a minute and to quote one of my favorite openings to a mixtape:

"Fuck intros!" © Kano

I will instead explain my three point "Cop It Or Not" rating scale below:

Oh No! This CD is a drink coaster/table balancer/doorstop/gerbil/hamster room divider/frisbee/discus/makeshift shield/last ditch choice for a visor/alternate shuriken choice. Sell this shit to whoever's dumb enough to buy it from you.

Maebe (Maybe)! Depending on your own set of personal preferences you might like this joint. Give it a listen first to see if it's your lane or not.

Mos Def! Cop the album when it drops...'Nuff said.



Kano-London Town (11 song sampler)

I’m a big Kano fan. If his name’s on it, I’m copping it...bottom line. After Kano’s classic (yeah, I used the C word. You see it on the blog, don’t you?) debut “Home Sweet Home” and his “Beats & Bars” mixtape he had cemented himself as one of the best and most marketable British emcees. Of course, Def Jam passed on signing him away from 679 Recordings and instead decided to offer Lady Sovereign a contract (who in turn moved less units than a HD midget porn DVD). All Kano did was hit the stu, drop a crazy mixtape and now here’s the sampler for his highly anticipated second LP “London Town”. Although Kano is considered a Grime emcee he is accepted by wider audiences (and also chided for not making enough Grime sounding tracks). Will he reach for the brass ring with this offering? Let’s find out.

Kano is a master of flow, worldplay and delivery. He says some clever shit in his rhymes and he can evoke a range of emotions with his songs. This is Kano’s greatest strength as an emcee. To some he’s very reminiscent of Jay-Z, I see why people say that but I don’t really think the two are all that similar. The best songs on the sampler are “Bad Boy”, “London Town”, “Production Of My Environment”, “Buss It Up” f/Vybz Kartel, “On & On”, “This Is My Life” and “Sleep Tight”. Even the Kate Nash featured “Me & My Microphone” bangs when I was expecting the worst before I actually heard it. I was underwhelmed by Kano’s lead single “This Is The Girl” f/Craig David and the Damon Albarn assisted “Feel Free” just didn’t do it for me. The part acoustic track “Fightin’ The Nation” is far from wack but just not what I wanna hear from Kano.

This album sounds like it’s gonna be another good one, but I reserve full judgement until the whole album drops but so far it looks like this:

Home Sweet Home>Kano Mixtape>Beats & Bars>London Town Sampler>85% of major label Rap/Hip Hop releases from the last 5 years.

I’m most def coppin’ “London Town” when it drops. For the rest of y’all, start with “Home Sweet Home”, download “Beats & Bars” from this blog and search for the Kano Mixtape available online now.




M.I.A- Kala (I would post a picture of the album cover but it gives me nightmares)

Yep, I’ve been waiting for this album for a minute, too. You can lump me in with all of those hipsters that heard the “Piracy Funds Terrorism” mixtape back in 2004 and have read every piece of press written about her since she first appeared on the music scene (it probably didn’t hurt that she’s cute..that tends to make people tolerate you if you have radical political stances and dress weird). The album “Arular” took many music fans by surprise...especially when “Galang” ended up on car commercials and on the TRL countdown. I still haven’t recovered from the shock of hearing “Bucky Done Gun” on the Live 2006 soundtrack. I liked “Arular” overall, but wasn’t blown away by it. Of course Diplo was given a huge amount of credit for the album, which apparently was a mistake (If you didn’t read the Pitchfork interview where she Yoga Flamed the interviewer over the phone, do so).

Leading up to this album, I was really liked “Bird Flu” and “Hit That” (which isn’t on the album) and after I heard a leaked version of “Boys” a while back I was really looking forward to hearing this joint. I finally received an advance of “Kala” a while back and I tore into it immediately. I usually am not into music like hers, but I really like these tracks. This should sound like noise to me...her outfits should make my eyes bleed. Why am I nodding my head to this album like Pete Rock, Primo, Large Pro, Diamond and Erick Sermon were behind the boards? Why isn’t her voice making me want the Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse to gallop onto the horizon and order everyone outta the pool that is Life? I don’t fuckin’ know.

“Bamboo Banger” opens up the album the right way and leads right into my joint “Boyz”. The next track “Jimmy” is a quasi remake of a Bollywood hit...I feel like I don’t get the joke. Next up is “Hussel” featuring emcee Afrikan Boy, I’m back to nodding my head again. The song “Mango Pickle Down River” features a chorus of kids called the Wilcannia Mob. I like this song and I cannot explain why (which is disturbing because I write for a living). As the album runs on down into “20 Dollar”, “Down River”, and “XR2” I’m still aboard, I haven’t thrown off the headphones in disgust or skipped a track once. Next up are probably the two most accessible and marketable song on the entire project, “Paper Planes” (which sounds like snap music) and the Timbaland produced “Come Around”.

I can see either of the songs becoming singles, imagine M.I.A. wearing one of those crazy ass outfits dancing around with dudes in tattered gear while Justin Timberlake and Timbaland are rocking suits. Just then here come Keri Hilson and Nelly Furtado wearing some designer outfits writhing around under flashing lights on a shiny set. Make the call to Little X, someone.

I liked this album, but I will acknowledge that it is not for everyone. She co-produced most of the album with this cat named Switch. I can't pigeonhole her music or give it a specific genre name, which I actually find refreshing for a change...it's just music. While I play it and like it, most cats on my block would cover their ears like I was trying to read to them from a Michael Eric Dyson book or prefer to take a running start and go head first onto a Slip N' Slide covered with Wesson and shards of glass from broken beer bottles. If you didn’t check for “Arular” or thought any of her previous songs were noise then steer clear of this one. It’s a good, solid maybe.



Termanology-Hood Politics Vol. 5

I’ve been checkin’ for Termanology and his squad ST since I heard those first Ed Rock & Term joints way back in in the early 00’s. The rest of the Hip Hop world first took notice when Termanology’s breakout joint, the DJ Premier produced “Watch How It Goes Down” took the street and internet by storm. Termanology was the talk of AllHipHop.com, HipHopGame.com and even Okayplayer.com. Although heads in New England have known about Term’s skills since before he dropped the first edition of his “Hood Politics” series, the sleepers were now awakening. Since then, Term has continued to drop more and more heat and convert more non believers. Next up is his “Hood Politics Vol. 5” mixtape presented by DJ’s Big Miike and Statik Selektah (who hit me off with this mixtape in a chance meeting in the mall behind my house just last night...be on the lookout for the upcoming Statik Selektah presents...LP coming out this October!)

Once I got back to the lab, I had this mixtape burning a whole through my pocket. I threw it in theMac and threw on the headphones...the CD jumps off with the banger “So Amazing” produced by DJ Premier so I started off nodding my head right away. Next up is “50 Bodies” produced by Marley Marl, pairing Term’s ill flow with another producing legend who brings the heat. The tracks “Has It Ever Occurred?” , “Born Alone Die Alone” and In God We Trust” follow and keep the set live with features from ST. affiliate Ed Rock AKA Easy Money. The smooth “Low IQ” featuring and produced by Evidence follows and brings us to an update of the Everlast (House Of Pain) classic “Back From The Dead” produced by Nick V of the Baka Boyz.

Term gets matched up with rhyme veteran Royce Da 5’9” (if you haven’t heard “The Bar Exam” mixtape yet then stop frontin’) on the J. Cardim (previous winner of the Poisonous Paragraph distinction “32 Producers You Need To Hear On MySpace Right Now”) heat rock “What You Call That”. If I go through this CD track by track I’ll never finish because I haven’t found a throwaway joint yet.

“Squeeze Ya Ratchet” is produced by and features Lil’ Fame AKA Fizzy Womack (who also blessed Term with another bangin’ track called “4 The Fam”) and the Statik Selektah produced “Hardcore” features Boston legend Reks. The production is handled by some of the best beatmakers in the game right now including Buckwild, Moss, Don Cannon, DC The Midi Alien, Domingo & Vanderslice, Jaguar and the heads I’ve already mentioned in this review. The grand finale of the already fire “Hood Politics Vol. 5” is the PeteBeatz track that features an army of the best emcees Massachusetts has to offer the industry. I played this joint to death when it was featued on HipHopGame.com and it was the perfect way to help educate the rest of nation about the talent we have in this state (a few more heads I’m checkin’ for didn’t make it on to this track but it was a massive undertaking to get this many heads on one track...if you’re from Boston/Massachusetta you understand how hard it is. There wasn’t a weak moment on this whole mixtape, 21 tracks no throwaways and no wack verses. You should mos def cop this shit now!




Siobhan Donaghy-Ghosts

For those who don’t know, Siobhan Donaghy is one of the original members of the successful British girl group Sugababes. She broke camp shortly after their first album dropped in 2000 and pursued her own solo career. She released a solo album in 2003 called “Revolution In Me” that failed to do well commercially. She eventually left her former record label and moved to another one to start anew. After four years, she has completed and released a new album called “Ghosts” in the UK back in late June. This album hasn’t been a commercail success, either...but look at the bullshit that DOES sell. I heard the lead single “Don’t Give Up” and the second single “So You Say” and was intrigued. Especially when I read a British blog that praised this album nonstop, especially the title track. I used my London connects and obtained a copy of the album. Here’s my review:

Do you miss that whole era of different albums coming out from female vocalists with production that made you pore through the liner notes to find out who made the tracks? I used to love albums like Bjork’s early work, Portishead, Joi, Esthero, Amel Larrieux, Ambersunshower and Res (where’s your album at, girl?). Lately, labels have been afraid to release experimental/cutting edge music by women...that is unless they’re half naked. This album is surprisingly really good, my favorite tracks are “Coming Up For Air”, “Medevac”, “Don’t Give It Up”, “Halcyon Days” and the bananas title track “Ghosts” where some of her vocals are played backwards and the beat is crazy. Check it out here .

If you’re looking for some new shit to listen to and love the type of music that I mentioned above then you definitely need to find this on the UK iTunes store or peruse the Amazon UK website. I definitely recommend this although it’s slept on even in the UK. Everyone can’t get buzz like Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone, Lily Allen and M.I.A. after all. I'll give this one a maybe...although I'll be banging it in my iPod Nano as I read Planet Hulk issues in Newbury Comics (check for me). You should also check for her videos on YouTube, she has a couple of live performances on there as well.



What I’m Looking Forward To Cop When It Leaks...I Mean Drops:

Littler Brother's first album without 9th Wonder won't be much of a dissapointment to fans of Khrysis, Illmind, Nicolay and Oddisee (check his blog out here)'s production. Little Brother will pretty much be the same group as long as Big Pooh and Phonte are still on the mic spittin' that raw. After hearing "Good Clothes" I can't wait for this one. I'm even feeling this EPMD style lettering on the cover.

So let's get this straight...Havoc will be handling all the beats himself and spitting that certified Queens thug shit like he's been doing since '91? Where's my copy?


I loved the first one and I can't wait to hear 9th Wonder's solo debut. He has guest appearances from members of the Justus League as well as some of the best underground emcees in the games right now. We all know 9th is gonna bring the heat, that's a given. As for Ayatollah, I don't even need to write anything about this man's instrumental albums...he drops 'em I cop 'em. That's all.

That's all I have for today. Special thanks to my boy Big K.A.R., Statik Selektah (spell his name right!), my brother Buctayla and the good people at Newbury Comics who tolerate me reading every damn thing in sight. 

One.

Monday, August 6, 2007

Dart’s Top 3 Remakes And Adaptations AKA Dartflix Edition # 20

Every week we hear about or read about a new movie that is an adaptation of a book, comic book or graphic novel that has been greenlighted and put into development as a feature film. Sometimes Hollywood feels the urge to do a remake or and update of an older film like in the case of the original novel that was adapted into the film “The Omega Man” being remade again into “I Am Legend”. Instead of just commenting about new reworkings and adaptations, I will suggest three films that should have remakes and three more properties or source materials to be adapted into future films. It starts like this, son.

3 Films That Need Remakes (In My Opinion):

1. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Film adaptation by Francois Truffaut (1965)

The original version of this adaptation of the classic Ray Bradbury novel was done by French director Francois Truffaut and was made to show the parallels between the attitudes of adults towards the younger generation in the turbulent late 60’s and the totalitarian government as it’s described in the book. The technology and items that Ray Bradbury just couldn’t be made the way Bradbury described them back in 1967. This took away from the film’s impact immensely. Now the Mechanical Hound can be created thanks to CGI. The TV walls that Bradbury described in his book can be recreated. The film can take on a darker edge and be made into a much more faithful adaptation now. Given the right screenwriter to do the adaptation and the right director, this can be an excellent film. The last time I heard that anyone wanted to undertake this project was Nicolas Cage back in 1999. The project has remained in production limbo since then.


2. Escape From New York by John Carpenter and Nick Castle Directed by John Carpenter (1981)

John Carpenter’s landmark sci fi film was a cult favorite and one of the most influential movies of the early 80’s. This film was responsible for making several youngsters want to be filmmakers (especially Robert Rodriguez). There were several things in Escape From New York that couldn’t be done due the the limits of technology in 1980/1. First of all, it would obviously have to be pushed much further into the future. Imagine how “Escape From New York” could be improved upon nowadays given all of the new techniques and technoloogical advancement that have happened in the 25+ years since the making of the original. Imagine how much better it would look today if it were remade and updated (or butchered and tainted a la Rollerball and Planet Of The Apes). A reworking of this classic film is definitely a good potential future project.


3. They Live by Ray Nelson (8 O’ Clock In The Morning) Film adaptation by John Carpenter (as Frank Armitage) Directed by John Carpenter (1988)

Yet another John Carpenter film that’s a cult classic among film enthusiasts. The problem is that the film is campy and cheesy in certain parts instead of being dark and edgy like it was actually intended to be (which to some people is up to debate). With better acting (seriously, who could do a better job as a protagonist than Rowdy Roddy Piper? Oh, that’s right..ANYONE), a tighter script, better production values and special effects this could be a great mid level project for someone to pick up and refix that could cake up when the DVD is released.

3 Properties/Source Materials That Need To Be Adapted Into Films Soon (In My Opinion):

1. Runaways by Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona (Marvel Comics)

Of course, all of the executives are looking for more well known properties that have bigger fanbases. I assert that films are about storytelling and in my opinion this Marvel property would make an excellent one to adapt because it’s still relatively new to the public. They are nowhere near the same amount of diehard fans for Runaways that there are for other Marvel properties like Iron Man, meaning that it can be made for a smaller budget by a director with an indie background and a screenwriter that will work closely with the creators of the title. Either way, I see this property as having excellent potential as a feature film between 2008 and 2010. If anyone who reads this blog is in film development holla at me (Yeah, right. If that was the case I would’ve definitely got a call by now...right?) More than likely Joss Whedon (who has the current stint writing for the title) already has an idea of what to do with it, though.


2. Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson

This book was originally released in 1992 and became a bestseller that has sold millions of copies. The story involves so many elements of the cyberpunk genre and is so off the wall that it would make an excellent property. Everything is privatized, the world is broken up into properties owned by corporations and then turned into independent city states. Crime is corporate and the internet is a living universe of it’s own overrun by hackers and pirates. The lead character of Hiro Protagonist will be a much sought after role in Hollywood. Even crazier is that once Google acquires the rights to the entire universe the shit Stephenson writes about in this book will be closer to actually happening (that plus there really is a Skynet...eerie, huh?). This project would be a bitch to adapt into a film and it would be a tremendous project to take on for anyone. This would have to be a passion project of someone at a major studio with deep pockets. Don’t hold your breath on seeing this one on the silver screen anytime soon.


3. Down These Mean Streets by Piri Thomas

This book should have been made into a film years ago in my opinion. This is one of my all time favorite books and it tells an amazing story. Set in New York City from the time of World War 2 to the late 50’s it chronicles the life of Puerto Rican writer and poet Piri Thomas. It covers everything from his growing up hard in the rough barrios of NYC to becoming a heroin addict to his criminal career that led to him doing a stint in jail. He also has identity issues growing up as a dark Puerto Rican in a Black and White world during the 50’s. This would make a great film if the right team of producers, writers and directors ever got behind it and told the story of this influential writers' life.

For those that ask why I didn’t suggest any Octavia Butler books be adapted over any Neal Stephenson novel, get a late pass . By the way, what happened to that adaptation of Donald Goines’ “Daddy Cool” that was supposed to be in development back in 2005? Enough of my rambling, on to the movie stuff.

Dart’s Top 3 IMDB Trailers Of The Ides Of August (8.1.07-8.15.07):

Resurrecting The Champ
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416185/trailers

The Hunting Party
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455782/trailers

Rocket Science
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477078/trailers

Dart’s Top 3 Apple Trailers Of The Ides Of August (8.1.07-8.15.07):

The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/theseekerthedarkisrising/

Beowulf
http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/beowulf/

The Golden Compass
http://www.apple.com/trailers/newline/thegoldencompass/

Here are some of my film recommendations for rental through Netflix:
300
Bug
Vacancy
Played
Slow Burn
The Statement
Pride
I Think I Love My Wife
Read My Lips
Home Of The Brave
Disturbia
The Code
Hot Fuzz
Escape From New York
They Live
Spawn (animated series)
The Dead Girl
Perfume
Cashback
The Host
Nomad
The Aura
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrells
Snatch
Severance
Next
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Premonition
Factory Girl
47 Ronin
The Contract
Renaissance
Rome (series)
Shooter
Yellow
The Tick (animated series)
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (animated series)
Flash Gordon (1980) (Saviour Of The Universe Edition)
Dark Crystal (25th Anniversary Edition)
Labyrinth (15th Anniversay Edition)
Shaun Of The Dead
Blade Runner (Ultimate Edition)

What the future holds for comic book/cartoon/video game films:

Masters Of The Universe
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427340/


G.I. Joe
http://www.firstshowing.net/2007/07/16/gi-joe-movie-will-feature-cobra/


Spawn
http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1565254/story.jhtml


Sandman
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=22823


Jonah Hex
http://www.beyondhollywood.com/dcs-jonah-hex-gets-his-own-movie/


Green Lantern
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/news/green-lantern.asp


Dart’s Picks:

300- This was not only an excellent and faithful adaptation of Frank Miller’s graphic novel but a dope movie as well. After seeing it I had the urge to rock Red Sox gear and patrol the streets screaming “This is the South End!” and kick tourist mothafuckas and visting baseball fans square in the chest backwards into those deep ass holes NStar has been digging all over the neighborhood. If you play this before a football game, I honestly don’t see how you can lose. This shit would inspire a pacifist with a butterknife by the ocean to hop in the drink and bring the ruckus to a school of sharks. Cop it if you haven’t already.

The Code- This is yet another French crime drama helmed by the Nacieri family (Sami & Bibi). Life in the Parisian projects is rough, especially when you’re a man fresh outta jail trying to be on the straight and narrow and your friends can’t let you leave your old life behind. Soon enough, you’re reverting back to your old ways and old life, like Treach said “no matter where you go, there you are”. This film explains what happens when crime ends up becoming a family business.

Slow Burn- This film was made back in 2005 and has taken nearly 2 years to be released. As was the case with “Harsh Times” I thought it was because the movie was trash. This crime thriller had me guessing until the end. I thought I figured evcerything out in under 20 minutes, like an old episode of “New York Undercover”...nope, I wasn’t even close. This movie far exceeded my expectations.

No Sleep Til Shangai- Todd Angkasuwan’s chronicle of Jin’s whirlwind two week tour of Asia to promote his premiere album “The Rest Is History” is a must see for any Hip Hop fan. I forgot to give this documentary a write up a month ago when I first began listing it as a recommendation but Jin is to be commended for helping to introduce Hip Hop to a whole new audience in China with his album “ABC” done entirely in Cantonese. See what the reaction was to his premiere release overseas.

The Dead Girl- This indie film got rave reviews from several film festivals and it’s finally out on DVD. A dead girl’s body is found and her story is told from 5 different perspectives. This movie is dark and disturbing but at the same time draws you in. You want to know what happened to this girl, you want to stick it out to the end and put all of the pieces together. Definitely a rental.

Hot Fuzz- This parody of cop films and action movies was made by the same people who made “Shaun Of The Dead”. Cleverly made, well written and funny as all hell. This movie not only made fun of several movie cliche’s but it some how managed to make fun of itself for doing so...this is a must see as well.

Dart’s WTF?/Watch This Bullshit At Your Own Risk Award
Are We Done Yet?- No, really. Are you? I pray to God yes. What happened to the “Bam Bam Buck Buck Boom Boom Pow Pow/Boom Ping Ping!” Ice Cube?

Shit, right now I’d even settle for “Lethal Injection” era Cube. The brother went into Hollywood with a gun and came out with a job...The brother wasn’t mad anymore (If you've never seen "I'm Gonna Get You Sucka" add that to your Netflix queue NOW).

Wild Hogs- Fuck everyone involved with the creation of this garbage (Nah, Dart...tell us how you really feel. Don’t hold back).

One.