August 2006 - Urban Train

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Urban Train - August 2006

Paris Hilton: How low can you go?

August 31st 2006 12:14

And to think I thought all hope was lost in a world filled with blow up barbie dolls. It turns out that Paris Hilton’s debut (and possibly final) album has sunk right to the bottom of the tank.

Is that Paris on the left or right?

In its first week it sold a dismal 75 thousand copies in the US. Just to give you a small scope on things, Christina Aguilera’s album debuted the same week and scored 320 thousand sold copies. This has lowered expectations for the hotel giant’s daughter and projections for the second week of sales are only 30 thousand.

If there’s one thing worse than a mumbling donkey (50 Cent), it’s a celebrity with no talent what so ever aka. Paris Hilton. Had she approved her home video for sale, she would’ve had a much bigger hit. Okay, so maybe she does have some ‘so-called’ talent. Too bad I won’t be experiencing any of it.

What I find hilarious is the fact that Paris’ label expects even less from international sales because she is unable to tour. Do you know why she’s unable to do so? Come on, take a guess, it’s an easy one. Alright, the reason she can’t tour is because she can’t sing live. I got this from some pretty damn, good sources alright.

But I’ll cut her a little slack. I’ll admit that I liked the first single, ‘Stars Are Blind’. Forgive me; I didn’t realize it was a Paris song. When I found out it was performed by a blonde whore I washed my ears out with nail polish remover. To this day, I still feel unclean. But hey, the song is some-what Reggae, and I LOOOOOVE Reggae. Bob Marley R.I.P.

In a world of greed, corruption and poverty, it is refreshing to see some justice being dealt.

Take care and peace out…

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Artist Spotlight: The Game

August 30th 2006 11:00

The Game has come a long way in only one and a half years in the industry. But there’s much more than meets the eye when it comes to the Compton native.

Jayceon Taylor aka. The Game

Like his arch nemesis and former friend, 50 Cent, Game has been shot multiple times and lived to talk about it. Though unlike the retched 50 Cent, he has not gone out of his way to make the experience the center of his music.

He’s been through a lot, experienced the death of several family members, and lived the rich life as a drug dealer. So how did he get into the rap game? No pun intended folks.

His near-death experience put life in perspective. No more Mr. Bad, drug dealing Game. What grew from a bad experience was the birth of a hip hop star.

In 2003, Dr. Dre signed Game and two years later he released his first album under G-Unit/Aftermath.

I personally think he is the realest rapper to come along in the last 10 years, but no one cares what I think. The Game has got the knock from many critics as gaining his fame through controversy.

Originally a part of 50 Cent’s famed ‘G-Unit’ crew, he made a name for himself as the next big thing after 50. With all the squabbling among the two of them, it was clear that The Game was not welcome anymore.

Since his departure from G-Unit, The Game has kept it real. Abandoned by his mentor, Dr. Dre, he’s been able to bounce back with his latest album G.A.M.E. Without the support of G-Unit and Aftermath, Game has not had the access to as many resources, but his music is only getting better, contrary to many people’s beliefs.

Here you have an artist rapping West Coast Lyrics to an East Coast flow. He’s original, and he doesn’t talk shit.

Take care and peace out…

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Culture: Where it all began

August 29th 2006 14:30

Now here’s a little history lesson for ya’ll…

The Bronx, the northern most borough of New York, is known as the birthplace of hip hop.

DJ Kool Herc: The Godfather of Hip Hop

Before the rise of hip hop culture in the late 70’s, the Bronx was a metropolis of commerce and business. From the 1920’s onward, the area was dominated by several ethnic groups, such as Polish, German, Italian, French and Jewish groups.

So how did the ghettos start? Well most of the ethnic groups left The Bronx for other areas and states in the U.S. This left predominantly African-American and Hispanic groups in the area. Many people say the downgrade in lifestyle occurred through urban renewal plans by the council, but we’re here to talk hip hop, so I’ll quit with the lullabies.

The lower quality of living lead to gang culture, which in turn led to the creation of the four elements of hip hop.

Tagging (graffiti) was a popular way for gangs to mark their turf, while uprocking (now a large feature of Breakdancing) was created by gangs to mimic gang fights.

Afrika Bambaataa: Leader of the Black Spades (later known as Zulu Nation)

Then there’s the godfather of hip hop: DJ Kool Herc. He along with Afrika Bambaataa -from the gang: Black Spades – popularized DJing and MCing further.

There are many people who have negative associations with hip hop culture based on its close ties to gang culture. Though hip hop did not create gangs, gangs created hip hop. It helped them live a life of poverty with hope for a better future while giving them a sense of belonging.

Thank God for the Bronx, and more importantly, thank God for Hip Hop.

Take care and peace out…

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Artist Spotlight: Ne-Yo

August 28th 2006 08:46

Shaffer Chimere Smith aka. Ne-Yo, has been in the music business for some time now. So what took him so long to get noticed?

Well, he’s actually been behind the scenes for a while. For years he has written songs for artist like: Mary J Blige, Marques Houston, Faith Evans, Christina Milian, B2K, Nivea, Tyrese and Jamie Foxx.

So what took him so long to get out of the house and walk down the street of stardom?

It was Mario’s smash hit ‘Let Me Love You’ that pulled him out of hiding. Did you know that ‘Let Me Love You’ holds the title as the most frequently played song in radio history? Even more impressively, did you know that it was co-written by Ne-Yo?

Image courtesy of ilovemusic.com

So where does his name come from? I always wondered why it was so complicated for a four letter word. Do you know how annoying it is to type “Ne-Yo” several times in a blog entry? All those dashes and capital letters… Sorry I’m ranting again. Ne-Yo’s name derives from Keanu Reeve’s character in The Matrix. As for the annoying spelling? Legal issues, as always.

Now, Ne-Yo is signed to Def Jam records and has amassed an army of fans. His debut single, ‘Stay’, was a minor hit but his second single, ‘So Sick’, was off the richter scale

He’s only 23, so I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of him. Ne-Yo is not just a pretty voice, but an intelligent song writer who knows what works.

Take care and peace out…

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Diddy out of retirement

August 27th 2006 08:59

Back in 2004, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs retired from hip hop forever. Well “forever” seems a lot shorter than it used to be, I’ll tell you that.

As Puff Daddy or P. Diddy, Combs became the richest artist in the hip hop industry. I guess he couldn’t stand NOT making any doe. It took only two years for him to come running back to the music industry.

Now going by the simple name of “Diddy”, Combs is set to release his new album entitled ‘Press Play’. Oh, and don’t worry, I’ll have a review of the album up in no time.

He’s already released its first single entitled ‘Come to me’ which features the sexy voice and seductive moves of Nicole Scherzinger; the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls and the pin-up girl on every horny, teenage boy’s wall.

Rumour has it that P. Diddy will actually sing for the first time in his career on this album. Is he getting soft or something? I guess there’s nothing wrong with that. The singer/rapper combination has worked well for artists like Missy Elliot, Montell Jordan, Nelly, and most recently: Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake. No comment until I hear it for myself. Though I admit, I can’t help but laugh.

As a treat, here is the newly released video clip courtesy of the best website in the world (after Urban Train), Youtube.

As a quick note, Diddy is a much better dancer than I thought. Timberlake and Usher, lookout boys! And boys, drool as much as you want but remember, hip hop is about the music and not Nicole’s gyrating ass.

Take care and peace out…

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Busta getting busted?

August 26th 2006 09:22

Busta Rhymes was reportedly arrested on the 19th of August.

Not the best looking guy in the world

He was arrested for five counts. Damn that’s a lot. These include: two counts of assault in the third degree; one count of attempted assault in the third degree; one of harassment in the second degree; and one of weapon possession; that being a machete. The apparent assault was on man who spat on his car after a performance in Amsterdam on August 12

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Album Review: Loose

August 24th 2006 12:14

From the get-go, Nelly Furtado cemented her place as the 21st century’s best pop-folk artist.

Six years later and she throws all that precedes her into the trash. She’s got a sassier look, sexier sound and found herself one the best producer’s in the industry

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Artist Spotlight: The Fugees

August 23rd 2006 05:41

Image courtesy of VH1.com

Without a doubt, The Fugees are one of the best ever Hip Hop groups to grace the global charts.

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Nam Hyun Joon: Once you pop you can't stop

August 22nd 2006 11:32

NOTE: I've updated this post and the youtube video is finally working.

Through a friend of mine, I recently discovered someone who instantly became my popping idol. That's popping idol, not pop idol... there’s a huge difference

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Opinion: 50 Cents or a Billion Bucks?

August 21st 2006 01:48

Is Curtus Jackson a modest 50 cent, or an arrogant, self-adoring billion bucks? I’m convinced he’s the latter.

50 has amassed an army of hits and there’s no denying that he is the biggest hip hop artist today. So when did the fame go to his head? To tell you the truth, I don’t know. Maybe he was born an egotistical maniac

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Album Review: A Girl Like Me

August 19th 2006 12:44

Some call her the second coming of Beyonce with little originality to break out into her own. For those ignorant fools, I just have to say you’re… um… ignorant!!! It took a while to think of that one.

Rihanna’s latest album, A Girl Like Me, proves she is anything BUT unoriginal. Anyone who listens to her mainstream singles may not understand the diversity in her music, but the other tracks on this record are the unsung heroes that elevate Rihanna to the status of ‘Teen Queen Carribean Hit Machine

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Reggaeton: Eclectic, exotic, and damn right sexy

August 18th 2006 08:14

I thought I’d comment on a brand of urban music that has taken over the world only recently. Yes, I’m talking about reggaeton, and no, it’s not just another form of hip hop.

If you want Hispanic hip hop, then listen to Big Pun or Fat Joe. They’re great artists, but they’re not exactly reggaeton, par se

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