Kanye and Jay-Z Before "Raise The Throne" : Hopsin, The Game with Keyshia Cole, Trick Daddy

"NEVER LET ME DOWN"   KANYE WEST featuring JAY-Z

On many critic's list of the Top CD's of 2012, appears Raise The Throne, the dual effort of Kanye West and Jay-Z.   But well before the new CD, they teamed up on Kanye's debut "College Dropout" for an inspirational jam that also included John Legend and Tracy Spencer on vocals.  "Never Let Me Down" attacks racism, raises spiritual questions, and promotes family and staying true to who you are.   Easily one of the top rap songs of the last decade, no violence, just a motivational message of hope.  Remarkably Kanye released five singles on this CD:  Slow Jamz, All Falls Down, Through The Wire, Jesus Walks, and The New Workout Plan....but  I think he left off one of his best!

"ILL MIND OF HOPSIN 5"  HOPSIN

Blown away listening to Hopsin's flow even from the hysterical opening line:  "Man I hate rap, but if the shoe fits wear it".   Put on some early Eminem such as "Brain Damage or "Role Model" and you can see so many similarities with the intelligent rhymes, attitude, and even the unique rapping style they both use.   Marcus Hopsin has been a YouTube sensation with his "Ill Mind of Hopsin" songs.   This is version #5 and at this time has over 15,000,000 views!  Great theme of how some youth today place style over knowledge, as Hopsin states "brainwashed by a fake life".  Key lyric:  "but you still out there in the streets thinking you're as hot as can be, without the knowledge to lead, so you just follow like sheep".  Soon, he'll be a household name like that white rapper out of Detroit, what's his name?  Special Thank You to Sarah for introducing me to this song, it comes dedicated to Sarah by her mom!

"GAME'S PAIN"  THE GAME with KEYSHIA COLE

West Coast rapper, The Game, has always recognized the old school rappers who paved the way for his career.  He takes it to the ultimate level with "Game's Pain", probably the greatest name-dropping song of all-time.  Over 20 rappers are mentioned by name or alluded to in the lyrics including LL Cool J, Biggie, Nas, Ice Cube and Big Daddy Kane (who both appear in the video).   Keyshia Cole sings the hook and drives around in a souped up lowrider in the video.  One of the most popular videos of 2008, it went straight to #1 on BET.   Fun Fact about Game (he's dropped "The"), this song comes from his LAX C.D. and by only 13 CDs, he beat out Slipknot for #1 in August 2008, the smallest difference ever between the top two selling discs.

 
"TAKE IT TO DA HOUSE"  TRICK DADDY

Memories of the early 90's at the Orange Bowl in Miami, the crowd going wild over a Miami Hurricanes touchdown.  The stadium speakers were blasting "Take It To Da House" by Miami's own, Trick Daddy and The Slip-N-Slide Express.   A party anthem that samples KC & The Sunshine Band's "Boogie Shoes" and James Brown's "The Boss".   Trina adds a killer verse midway.  You know the party has officially started when you hear the horn section and those words, "Callin my peoples all across the world, This song goes out to all the boys and girls".

EMINEM Discography: Favorite Song Per CD

"STILL DON'T GIVE A F***"   - SLIM SHADY LP

My first exposure to Marshall Mathers.  A white rapper?  He looked like a wanna-be, then you listen to the lyrics and feel his passion and hear his flow.   Intelligent, creative, so offensive and over the top, but yet so brilliant in his clever rhymes.   Eminem changed the rap landscape.  Favorite verse: I get imaginative with a mouth full of adjectives, a brain full of adverbs, and a box full of laxatives
(Shittin on rappers) Causin hospital accidents

"THE WAY I AM"   - MARSHALL MATHERS LP

Straight forward lyrics, no apologies, Eminem's autobiographical early masterpiece.    He even did a version of this live with Marilyn Manson.   Loved the line about not interrupting him for an autograph when he's eating dinner with his family.  Favorite verse:  I'm not Mr. N'Sync, I'm not what your friends think, I'm not Mr. Friendly, I can be a prick

"CLEANIN' OUT MY CLOSET" - EMINEM SHOW

So many classics on this CD, 'Til I Collapse, Hailie's Song, Sing For The Moment, Without Me, Soldier- but this song spoke to me with lyrics of his childhood, messed up family life, and the will to press on.   Dr. Dre's influence mixed so perfectly with Eminem's style but ultimately Eminem increased Dr Dre's street cred.   Favorite verse:  But the smartest shit I did was take the bullets outta that gun, Cause I'da killed him; shit I woulda shot Kim and them both

"LOSE YOURSELF"    8 MILE

Loved Eminem's movie chemistry with Mekhi and Brittany Murphy, even Kim Basinger as his mom, was great casting.  If you saw the film, you saw Marshall at his best, freestyle rap battles, destroying his opponents.  The pre-fight anticipation is perfectly captured in "Lose Yourself".  Favorite verse:  Look, if you had one shot, one opportunity, To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment, Would you capture it or just let it slip?

"FINAL RAP BATTLE" 

"MOCKINGBIRD" - ENCORE

His confession to his daughter, Hailie, about why he wasn't living with her mom.   Emotional song about making sense of his crazy lifestyle, trying to be the best dad but apologizing for missing Christmas.  It's so sincere, unflattering at times, yet it maintains a sweet honesty and real emotions.   Favorite lyric:  Cause all I ever wanted to do was just make you proud, Now I'm sitting in this empty house, just reminiscing Lookin' at your baby pictures,

"BEAUTIFUL"   - RELAPSE

After a long break, Eminem put out his weakest CD (in my opinion and even to Marshall!).  Yet, "Beautiful" with the Paul Rodgers intro is epic.   It's inspirational, it's hopeful, dramatic, and in typical Eminem style - it's autobiographical, attacking the demons that almost brought him down and out.   Great Detroit video that takes the song in a new direction.  Favorite line: Now I could have either just Sat on my ass and pissed and moaned Or take this situation in which I'm placed in And get up and get my own

"NOT AFRAID", "LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE" - RECOVERY

I'm usually a fan of a group's early work but this is my favorite Eminem CD of all-time.  It feels like a comeback and track after track is memorable.  "So Bad", "Going Through Changes" (with an Ozzy sample!), "Cold Wind Blows", "Space Bound", "No Love": all 10 out of 10 songs.  Pink, Lil Wayne, Rihanna, all fit in perfectly and don't feel like gimmicks like guest starts usually feel like on rap CDs.  The 2 big hits are Eminem at his best:  Not Afraid - like Lose Yourself, a power ballad that I've worn out and use as my ringtone!  Favorite Verse:  but it's time to exorcise these demons; These motherfuckers are doing jumping jacks now! 
 
  Love The Way You Lie - greatest video in Eminem's discography, passionate as can be and an intensity that is unrivaled.    Rihanna did a version of this song where she sings the majority of the song and Eminem adds a counterpoint.    Both are epic.   Favorite Verse:  Maybe our relationship isn't as crazy as it seems, Maybe that's what happens when a tornado meets a volcano, All I know is I love you too much to walk away though

Chester Bennington with G-Unit?: The Police, Rock Therapy , and Young Buck Featuring Chester Bennington

"CAN'T STAND LOSING YOU"  THE POLICE

Check out the giant glasses on Sting in this "lost" alternative video!    From the debut CD, Outlandos d'Amour, this preceded "Roxanne" as the first Police hit song.  You might think the BBC would have banned this song for the lyrics, but it was their controversial artwork that got it banned.   Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland, one of the top trios in rock history!

"REACHING OUT"  ROCK THERAPY 

Rock Therapy was a super group comprised of Paul Rodgers (Bad Company), Brian May (Queen), and Charlie Watts (Rolling Stones).   They only released one VERY rare CD but this song was sampled heavily by Eminem in "Beautiful".    The revamped Queen added this song to their setlist in the late 2000's. 

"SLOW YA ROLL"  YOUNG BUCK FT. CHESTER BENNINGTON

Linkin Park doesn't hide their love of rap music.    Usually it's Mike Shinoda but this time Chester jumps in as a guest vocalist for Young Buck.   Originally a member of G-Unit with 50 Cent, Young Buck was dismissed for disloyalty with the crew.   He's most famous for his "beefs" with Lil Wayne, The Game, DJ Khaled,......  Warning:  This song/video has "explicit" lyrics

Eminem with Bruno Mars, Collide (sexy Pink Floyd cover), Burn Halo

"LIGHTERS"  EMINEM with BRUNO MARS

Following the pattern of the #1 hit with Rihanna, Eminem teams with a pop artist for an intense and inspirational song.   It's from an EP with rapper Royce da 5'9 and it's the only commercial track on the CD.   The song has gotten mixed reviews but I really like the blending of the different styles.   It's got a positive message and video uses Eminem waving flares to illuminate the Lighters theme.

"COMFORTABLY NUMB"       COLLIDE

Technically it's not a new song but it's new to me :)     Collide's music is really hard to describe.   It's electronica, dark yet inspiring, atmospheric, with some Middle Eastern influences.    Collide is a duo from L.A.  and this song comes from a 2010 CD of covers.   All of their music is hypnotic, original, and sexually charged.    "Comfortably Numb" is obviously a cover of Pink Floyd's smash from The Wall but this version brings up totally different emotions experiencing this unique cover.

"THREW IT AWAY"                            BURN HALO

From their 2nd CD, Burn Halo, releases this radio friendly rocker that has a classic, vintage, "hair metal" sound especially in the chorus.   The band toured with Adema and Puddle of Mudd last year.    Didn't love this CD but this song is killer.