The Notorious B.I.G., Hypnotize

Posted in Biggie Smalls, Youtube Favs on August 29th, 2011 by Willie

Biggie.  Everybody loves him.  In fact, he’s the most searched artist on my website.  “Hypnotize,” the first single from 1996’s “Life After Death” LP, is perhaps his best pop song.  Now, by pop song, of course I just mean pop smash, not “pop song” in the traditional sense, because obviously its strait hip-hop.  But a smash it was, peaking at #1 right after Biggie’s unfortunate assassination.  The most memorable thing about the song for me is how it showcases the unlimited potential Biggie had at being the world’s greatest rapper.  Can you imagine how many other diamond cut classics Biggie would have churned out if he was allowed to live past 24, and how his style and music might have evolved?  It’s a crying shame, and the world’s bitter loss.  For those keeping score, the rhythm track is sampled from “Rise,” an 1979 Herb Alpert hit, and the chorus is sung by Pamela Long, not Lil’ Kim, as many assume.  It’s one of the most defining tracks from the 90s, and its greatness will probably live on forever.  One last thing, being that I’m based in Brooklyn, Biggie would want you to vote ME as CBS’s Best NYC local Blogger, which you can do so, by clicking here!  Thanks Biggie, you’re too kind.

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The Beastie Boys Feat. The Roots, "So What'cha Want" Live On Jimmy Fallon

Posted in The Beastie Boys, The Roots, Youtube Favs on July 6th, 2011 by Willie

It’s the Beastie Boys, its the Roots, and they’re performing “So What’cha Want” LIVE!  Well, it was live, on the Jimmy Fallon show not too long ago.  This is an awesome clip of Mike D, Ad-Rock, and MCA killing their classic hit single from their 1992 LP Check Your Head.  I’ve always like the Beasties, but never really delved head first into their records until recently.  I appreciate their aggressive 3 pronged vocal attack, recording creativity, and their general subversive attitude they interject into the mass culture.  They are three radical uncompromising artists who command a massive fan base which is an impressive feat in today’s sell out sort of world.  This is a flawless performance showcasing their rock solid vitality, an amazing feat in itself for any group that’s been together as long as they have…

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Biggie Smalls, Warning

Posted in Biggie Smalls, Youtube Favs on May 14th, 2011 by Willie

Part 62 takes us back to Biggie and his incredible album Ready to Die with the song “Warning.”  This is a messed up perfect rap song about Biggie boasting about his awesomeness through the glass onion of revenge.  The video is a lot like the song, Biggie on the phone rapping to himself, well in this case, Biggie #2 is played by Diddy.  In actuality, the video is kind of redundant.  Biggie was such an amazing rapper, that he never needed videos, the lyrics just unfold in your brain like the baddest movie imaginable filled with attitude.  Still, its good to see Biggie and dream about what else he could have given us had he lived.  It’s so unfair that he’s still not here, and the irony of this song is not lost on anybody that knows Biggie, his music, and his story.

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17 Year Old Biggie Smalls, Street Rap Battle

Posted in Biggie Smalls, Youtube Favs on April 21st, 2011 by Willie

For part 42 of my youtube countdown, we continue our prodigy theme as we take a look at Christopher Wallace, aka Biggie Smalls, aka the Notorious B.I.G..  In this clip we see a 17 year old Biggie on the street in Bedstuy proving that he will be the best rapper in the world.  There is something so magical and mind-blowing going on here.  On the one hand, Biggie seems perfectly at ease in his environment, dominating this rap battle like no one in the world could with his perfect genius flow.  On the other hand, Biggie is clearly a star.  He is, pardon the pun, too big for this street.  He is busting with talent and clearly going somewhere.  This is the type of video you just repeat over and over and hate youtube for not having the entire battle posted to really soak the moment in.  Anyway, Biggie is the greatest rapper who ever lived, and hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

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