The Stash House

I Thought I've Seen Everything...

2007-11-28T15:04:00.000-08:00

Ladies and gentlemen; I give you Snoop Dogg's brand new video, "Sensual Seduction", circa 1983.

I actually don't mind the song and actually think it's a very funny and authentic homage; I'm more concerned with rappers' growing obsession with the T-Pain approach to music. If we keep this infection in pop songs, in 5 years we'll be listening to robot sounds... and scoff all you want, that's real talk.

I Go Over The Top Like Stallone...

2007-11-25T13:21:00.001-08:00

Happy Sunday, folks. I hope your vacations were as relieving as they were deserved. Having been with the family for the past four days in a swarm of constant activity, I haven't had any time to play my role as a leader in this hip hop jungle in the hunter/gatherer sense of the word. So in an effort to save your souls, I raced back in my whip at an average speed of 85 MPH back to State, clocking in at an amazing 2 hours and 18 minutes. I now type before you breathless, exhausted, and happy as hell, cause alot of shit went down while we all were gobblin turkey (no homo just in case).

DJ Khaled is at it again; he constantly surprises me with his persistence and absolute ridiculousness. His latest video:

DJ Khaled, Baby, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy- 100 Million

It's so over the top; I can't tell whether I hate it or freaking love it.

Direct quotes from DJ Khaled in this video:

"This for the hood! This for the ghetto! This for all them niggas gettin that money! That cash money! That 100 million dollar money! We the besssst!"

"Cash money millionaires! Cash money billionaires! Cash money trillionaires! We rich! We ain't never gone stop! NEVER! We got money nigga!"

Besides the controversial use of the N-word by an Iranian, DJ Khaled is not hood by any means. He grew up in the richest areas of Miami, but he says he represents Dade County, a nearby 'hood'. How this clown is getting these rappers to do multiple songs and videos with him is hysterical to me.

In other news, DJ Drama's return has finally come in the form of "Gangsta Grillz: The Album". After Drama's arrest and confiscation of thousands of mixtapes deemed illegal, this record proves that he can still produce amazing music. Check out this tracklist:

DJ Drama- Gangsta Grillz: The Album
01-drama-the_setup.mp3
02-drama-gangsta_grillz_(feat._lil_jon).mp3
03-drama-takin_pictures_(feat._young_jeezy_willie_the_kid_jim_jones_rick_ross_young_buck_and_t.i.).mp3
04-drama-keep_it_gangsta_(feat._yo_gotti_webbie_and_lil_boosie).mp3
05-drama-cannon_(remix)_(feat._lil_wayne_willie_the_kid_freeway_and_t.i.).mp3
06-drama-makin_money_smokin_(feat._willie_the_kid_and_la_the_darkman).mp3
07-drama-5000_ones_(feat._nelly_t.i._diddy_yung_joc_willie_the_kid_young_jeezy_and_twista).mp3
08-drama-the_art_of_storytellin_pt._4_(feat._outkast_and_marsha_ambrosius).mp3
09-drama-katt_williams_interlude.mp3
10-drama-187_(feat._project_pat_b.g._and_eightball_and_mjg).mp3
11-drama-the_mad_dj.mp3
12-drama-beneath_the_diamonds_(feat._devin_the_dude_twista_la_the_darkman_and_mr._porter).mp3
13-drama-talk_bout_me_(feat._young_buck_lloyd_banks_and_tony_yayo).mp3
14-drama-no_more_(feat._lloyd_willie_the_kid_and_t.i.).mp3
15-drama-diddy_interlude.mp3
16-drama-throw_ya_sets_up_(feat._yung_joc_willie_the_kid_jadakiss_and_la_the_darkman).mp3
17-drama-aye_(feat._young_dro_and_big_kuntry_king).mp3
18-drama-grillz_gleamin_(feat._lil_scrappy_bohagon_diamond_and_princess_(of_crime_mob)).mp3
19-drama-gettin_money_(feat._paul_wall_killa_kyleon_lil_keke_and_slim_thug).mp3
20-drama-outro.mp3
21-drama-cheers_(feat._pharrell_and_the_clipse).mp3

All tracks are exclusive to the album and your eyes should get wide reading the big names that are attached to this project. I guess Drama got pull in the streets.

Most notable on this tracklist is "The Art of Storytelling Part 4", a track that makes me remember why Andre 3000 is one of the greatest lyricists of our time. It's so refreshing to hear 3 Stacks and Big Boi on the same track again after they took some time off from Outkast to do solo projects and acting work. Trust me, this song is CERTIFIED PIFF, even though Slick Rick is not on it this time around. Check out today's dimebag for the track, but I'd highly suggest coppin Gangsta Grillz: The Album as well.

For you hardcore hip hop heads, I got some Wu-Tang fo' yo ass. The long anticipated 8 Diagrams has leaked. I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet, but I can't say I'm not excited (for the record, the double negative is intentional; I'm bringin' it back).

Wu-Tang- 8 Diagrams

01 Campfire 03:59
02 Take it back 04:12
03 get them out ya way pa 04:18
04 rushing elephants 03:01
05 unpredictable feat dexter wiggle 04:12
06 the heart gently weeps feat erykah badu dhani 05:37
harrison and john frusciante
07 wolves feat george clinton 04:16
08 gun will go feat sunny valentine 04:15
09 sunlight 03:22
10 stick me for my riches 06:08
11 starter feat sunny valentine and tashmahogany 04:13
12 windmill 04:31
13 weak spot 03:58
14 life changes 07:21
15 tar pit 04:57
16 16th chamber o.d.b special 02:45

I was recently turned on to a rather creative project inspired by my favorite movie of all time, Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind. The artist is Jay Electronica, a rather shy and unknown lyricist with close friends like Just Blaze and former flame, Erika Badu. After about 6 minutes of insightful commentary on Jay from the aforementioned cronies, Jay begins to rap over loops of the Eternal Sunshine soundtrack. No drums. No backbeat. His flow is so fast and steady that it takes a few listens to hear the true beauty and brilliance of Jay Electronica's words.

The entire project is fluid with several Eternal Sunshine loops broken up only by some clips from Willa Wonka and The Chocolate Factory (the better, Gene Wilder version). I know, it sounds unique to say the least. But trust me, Jay Electronica's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is 15 minutes and 39 seconds definitely worth listening to.

Jay Electronica- Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind
*click on the 17.8 mb*

And last but certainly not least, today's dimebag. Damn is this thing HEAVY. Enjoy the familiar faces as well as the new ones; you can thank me later.

11.25 Dimebag

Outkast- The Art of Storytelling Part 4
Whiz Khalifa- Buss Down
Saigon feat. Jay-Z and Swizz Beats- Come On Baby (Remix)
JR Writer feat. Lil Wayne- We Gettin It Baby (Remix)
Yung Wun, Snoop Dogg, Scarface, and Jadakiss- WWIII
Nelly, T.I., Diddy, Willie The Kid, Yung Joc, Young Jeezy, and Twista- 5000 Ones
Saigon feat. Memphis Bleek- Ryders
Z-Ro, Lil James, and Slim Thug- Alcohol Nutts
Spitfiya feat. Timbaland- Hit U Wit No Delay
Zilla Rocca feat. Mally- Sunbathing Bitches
Mika- Relax, Take It Easy
Jay-Z- DP3 (Tagged Version)

Check back soon for a full CDQ version of that Dead Presidents 3...

Piffery...

2007-11-12T15:55:00.001-08:00

So it's been a while since I "dropped a little bit of heaven for your ears" (c) Nas.

I figure that's all you leeches come for anyway...

I've broken today's dimebags into several different categories, different "brands" if you will. I attempted to give each one a unique flavor with tracks unheard/forgotten. Cop as much as you'd like; I'm an equal opportunity fiend feeder.

"Spinal Taps"-- this dimebag will make your neck convulse to the beat. Whether you want to or not, you'll bob your head to these tracks.

Tracklist:
Playa Fly- Da Truth
Wyclef Jean feat. Akon, Lil Wayne, & Nia- Sweetest Girl
Obie Trice- 3 Baby Daddies
John Brown feat. Ya Boy- Turn It Up
Joe Budden- Last Dayz Freestyle
Saigon feat. Swiss Beatz & Jay-Z- Come On Baby (Remix)

"Black Knapsacks"-- this dimebag will open your eyes to tracks that you would have kept in the dark judging on name recognition alone. However, this short ride of backpacker rhymes is surprisingly fulfilling.

Tracklist:
Donnan Linkz- The N Word
Little Brother- Dreams
Pharoahe Monche- Let's Go
Rhymefest- Angry Black Man On The Elevator (Produced by Lil Jon)

"Em & Ems"-- this dimebag is full of lyrical ecstasy from a single artist whose catalog I've been revisiting lately; many of the tracks are rare and/or hardly recognized, including some of Shady's wittiest lines to date.

Tracklist:
Eminem- I'm Gone feat. Obie Trice
Eminem- Lose Yourself (Green Lantern Remix-- blended with 'One Mic')
Eminem- Nail In the Coffin (dissin' Benzino)
Eminem- If I Had...
Bizarre feat. Eminem- Hip Hop
Eminem feat. Obie Trice- Emulate
Eminem feat. 50 Cent & 2Pac- Til I Collapse (Remix)
Eminem- Murder Murder

That should be enough to keep you at bay for a day or two... if you still find yourself with time on your hands, check out Red Bull Big Tune-- a live beat competition featuring unheard producers from around the country.

The site lets you watch footage of the whole competition in different cities as well as listen to beats from featured producers.

I killed 4 hours on a Saturday watching this shit; it's more entertaining than half the Celebreality on VH1 and the tunes are better than half the music on BET.

Ok, I've Got Good News and Bad News

2007-11-12T15:29:00.000-08:00

To say I have good news is an understatement; I have great news: the obvious and greatly-anticipated dream team of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro are uniting onscreen for the first time (save Michael Mann's Heat, where the two shared one scene, despite being the stars of the film).

The name of the picture-- "Righteous Kill". It surrounds De Niro and Pacino as cops heading a police murder investigation that *gasp* might be one of their own.

Ok, now the bad news. The movie also stars Curtis "Interscope" Jackson aka Boo Boo. I'm not entirely sure what 50's role is in this flick, but the trailer infers that he's the bad guy.

I swear to God, Curtis: you better not ruin this movie. In fact, you better make like Kevin Spacey in Seven and only show up the last 15 minutes of the film. Until Pacino starts making commercials for his Woo-Hah! flavor Vitamin Water, let the actors do the acting, k?

Here's the trailer:

I didn't know what to think until De Niro flips out on the dude in the courtroom at the end... badass.

On Demand...

2007-10-22T18:16:00.000-07:00

I used the button very often this weekend; I've realized that On Demand videos are officially the best thing since sliced bread... really. And why not demand it? It's 2000 and fucking 7. So with that, I bring you some of the most entertaining finds I've come across in recent memory.

Chris Brown feat. T-Pain- Kiss Kiss

T-Pain doesn't use his voice modulator (but Chris Brown does), the dancing is awesome, and Chris Brown actually impresses me (no homo). Really though, check it.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. Jumps Rope to T.I.- I'm Serious

Dear Lord is this man in the shape of his life. He disappointed me in the De La Hoya fight though. I want my 65 bucks back, Floyd! I came to see a fight not a cotdamn ballroom dance routine.

Rambo IV Trailer (Explicit)

Stallone is milking his most successful characters for all their worth. Call me crazy, but I feel like the Rocky series needed some closure, and Rocky Balboa wasn't all that bad of a flick. And this Rambo DEFINITELY looks better than that sob story. Ruthless John Rambo blowing people's heads off with mounted machine guns at point blank range???? I'm totally there.

Deconstructing Biggie: UPS Is Hiring

If you're a Biggie fan, definitely check this shit... hilarious short from the sketch comedy group The Real.

This Friday In Film

2007-10-19T03:36:00.000-07:00

So Fridays here at The Stash House are devoted to flicks coming to a theater near you...

"Gone Baby Gone"

Rotten Tomatoes Synopsis:

Ben Affleck directs younger brother Casey in this adaptation of the novel by MYSTIC RIVER author Dennis Lehane. When a young girl is stolen from her home, a pair of investigators search desperately for the child in the streets of Boston. GONE BABY GONE also stars Morgan Freeman, Michelle Monaghan, and Ed Harris.

My Take:

It being Ben Affleck's first movie in the director's chair, this film is possibly garnering more hype than it deserves. Don't get me wrong, I'll watch any crime drama costarring Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris, but just don't lead me to believe it's the film of the year. Let us not forget that American Gangster and Lions for Lambs are coming in November...

"Things We Lost In The Fire"

Rotten Tomatoes Synopsis:

After the death of her husband, a widow (Halle Berry) invites his childhood best friend (Benicio Del Toro) to move in with her and her children. Danish director Susanne Bier (AFTER THE WEDDING) makes her English-language debut with this moving drama.

My take:

Apparently, the real reason to see this movie is for Benecio Del Toro's performance as a recovering junkie. I'm not surprised; I regard him as one of the best in our generation. Regardless, I don't usually see these kinds of flicks in the theater.

"30 Days of Night"

Rotten Tomatoes Synopsis:

Producer Sam Raimi (Spider-Man™) brings audiences the terrifying thriller 30 Days of Night, set in the isolated town of Barrow, Alaska, in the extreme northern hemisphere, which is plunged into complete darkness annually for an entire month. When most of the inhabitants head south for the winter, a mysterious group of strangers appear: bloodthirsty vampires, ready to take advantage of the uninterrupted darkness to feed on the town's residents. As the night wears on, Barrow's Sheriff Eben (Josh Hartnett), his estranged wife Stella (Melissa George), and an ever-shrinking group of survivors must do anything they can to last until daylight.

My take:

This movie looks freakin' cool. It also looks like every disappointing film with a great trailer I have ever seen, so I'm on the fence with this one. The critics seem to be a hung jury as well... If you want to see a stylish horror film this halloween season, this looks as good as any. Plus, the girls can oogle over Josh Hartnett.

So there you have it. Merry watching!

I'll be in Manayunk this weekend. If you're in the Philly area and you're lucky enough to have my number, hit me up.

"I'm a hustler homie..."

2007-10-18T18:28:00.001-07:00

"You a customer cronie..."

Hov on the cover of November's XXL.

In honor of Big Brother, here's a handful of forgotten throwback videos from the Jiggaman.

Throw ya diamonds in the air, Chea.

Girls, Girls, Girls

Dead Presidents

Big Pimpin'

Dirt Off Your Shoulder

99 Problems

"I Am Hip Hop"

2007-10-18T14:56:00.000-07:00

So it's been a couple days, and The Stash House is tryin to keep the cotdamn lights on. In short, visit regularly muthafuckas. It's a dope site, and it would be even moreso with a couple loyal patrons.

*steps off soapbox*

Ok, so a tornado of activity in recent days....

Lil Wayne aka Fireman absolutely killing the BET Awards:

Download today's dimebag for an audio rip*

So what do ya guys think? Da Carter 3 is certainly one of the more widely-anticipated releases of Q4...

Other artists dropping in November-December:
Jay-Z "American Gangster"
Cassidy "B.A.R.S."
Nas "Nigga"
Wu-Tang Clan "8 Diagrams"
G-Unit "Shoot To Kill"
Joe Budden "Mood Musik 3"
Scarface "Made"
Ghostface Killah untitled project
Saigon "Greatest Story Ever Told"

Speaking of Saigon, HBO recently threw a bunch of money at Sai and Obie Trice to remix "Since They Wanna Know", the title record on Entourage's soundtrack. The two made a pretty hot song and a video that made it hotter:

Just Blaze posted new a new Saigon track again today as well:

http://www.themegatrondon2.com/2007/10/18/popular-demand/trackback/

In other news, Kanye West just released a remix mixtape with exclusive production by Mick Boogie, Terry Urban, and yes folks, none other than 9th Wonder.

Kanye West- The Graduate

Tracklisting:

League Crew/Kanye West: Intro
Kanye West and 50 Cent: Flashing Lights (Mick Boogie Mix)
Kanye West and Nas: I Wonder (Terry Urban Mix)
Kanye West and Jay-Z: Never Let Me Down (9th Wonder Remix)
Kanye West and Jay-Z: Big Brother/Encore (live)
Kanye and Mos Def: Good Night
Kanye West: I Still Love Her
Kanye West: Stronger (Original Unreleased Verse)
Kanye and Nas: Major League (Mick Boogie Mix)
Kanye and Biggie: Kicks Open Doors (Terry Urban Mix)
Kanye West: A Million And One
Kanye West, Little Brother and Lil Wayne: Breakin’ My Heart (Mick Boogie Mix / produced by 9th Wonder)
Kanye West: Champion (live)
Kanye West and Jay-Z: Everything I am (Terry Urban Mix)
Kanye West: Freestyle
Kanye West and Common: Get ‘Em High (A-Trak Remix)
Consequence and Kanye West: Complications (Mick Boogie Mix)
Kanye West and Ludacris: Breathe In (9th Wonder Remix)
Kanye West and Talib Kweli: The Bounce/Two Words (live)
Kanye West: Two Words (9th Wonder Remix)
Kanye, Dr. Dre and Busta Rhymes: Imagine 2008 (Terry Urban Remix)
Kanye West, Consequence, & Patti Labelle: Anything
Consequence and Kanye West: Skillz (Terry Urban Mix)
Kanye West and Common: Glory (Mick Boogie Remix)
Kanye West and Termanology: Everything (The Diddy Song)
Kanye West and Consequence: Don’t Forget ‘Em
Kanye West, Common and Lupe Fiasco: Southside (Terry Urban Remix)
Kanye West and Little Brother: Naaw (9th Wonder Bonus Track)

Oh yeah, and since it's been a couple days, I'ma drop a heavy dimebag of dat piff on anyone smart enough to be visiting this beautiful struggle of a website.

Dimebag-- 10/18

Wu-Tang Clan feat. Erika Badhu & Dhani Harrison- While My Heart Gently Weeps

Jay-Z & Kanye West & Young Chris- Hands Up (Noodles Mix)

Wyclef Jean feat. DJ Drama- Put Me High (Live Backstage at Madison Square Garden)

Andre 3000- 3000 Something

Kanye West- A Million and One Questions

Young Jeezy feat. Shawty Lo- They Know (Remix)

Little Brother- Dreams

Wafeek- Power of Rap

Jay-Z feat. Lupe Fiasco & Kanye West- Sky High (Noodles Mix)

Rich Boy feat. David Banner & Attitude- Role Models

Lil Wayne- Gossip (Live)*

T.I. & Stat Quo- What's the Use

Joe Budden- Untitled Track from Mood Musik 3 (Radio Rip)

"You're welcome, you're all welcome." (c) Kanye West

It's Gonna Be a Cold November...

2007-10-14T11:48:00.000-07:00

You may or may not have heard of the Ridley Scott powerhouse "American Gangster" by now, but do you know what it took to get to this point?

The film has been in development for 7 long years, plagued by script rewrites and director changes. At one point, studio execs almost brought in Don Cheadle to take over for Denzel in the role of Frank Lucas, a quiet and powerful drug dealer in 1970's New York City. Lucas trafficked heroine into the US through the caskets of US Vietnam vets, and was known for his squeaky clean business practices. The film also stars Russel Crowe as Lucas' hardened NYPD nemesis.

"American Gangster" has been in the can since February of '07, but distributors are delaying it's release because historically, Oscar-winning films have come out in the latter half of the year because the movies are fresh in voters' minds.

The rocky times this flick has seen may end up being a blessing in disguise though, as it's delay has afforded it some interesting opportunities. None other than Hova The God, Mr. S Dot himself, Jay-Z is now making an album inspired by the film.

Apparently, Jiggaman saw an early screening of "American Gangster" and was reminded of his days of slingin white. Ideas started flowing, and Hov was in the studio the very next day recording his first concept album, a little less than a year after the release of fan-disappointment, "Kingdom Come". Word on the street is that this album is somewhere between "Reasonable Doubt" and "Blueprint", 2 records that are widely regarded as Jay-Z's best work.

Read the Entertainment Weekly Listening Session Write-Up here.

To coincide with the film's November 2nd release, the record will release November 6th.

Check out the video for American Gangster's first single, "Blue Magic", and don't forget to cop today's dimebag for the latest leak, "Roc Boys", produced by Puffy and the Hitmen.

Why I Love Sundays...

2007-10-14T11:11:00.000-07:00

So I'm sitting here trying to come up with ideas to keep you cats entertained and I figured what better topic to touch on than why Sundays have crept back into one of my favorite days of the week.

1. The complete lack of anything to do. This is probably the most underrated, yet completely obvious reason, at least to me. When I was in college, Sundays were an anxious hustle to get my life back to an acceptable order before the week began. I was always hung over (and still am), and always dreamed of being able to just lay around ALL DAY and literally do NOTHING. Now that it's a reality, I can't help but think of those days when I was active and I honestly don't know how I did it.

2. The NFL. What better way to waste a day than to sit around and watch other people do the things you don't have the energy and/or talent for?

3. Tell Me You Love Me. Have you ever thought to yourself, "Jeez, I'd really like to watch a weekly porn that has an interesting storyline?" Wonder no more. HBO has created the perfect night cap. There's usually at least one good sex scene in each episode and call me crazy, but I actually like the plot too. Plus, I know the ladies will be excited to hear that "Tell Me You Love Me" has not forgotten about you-- the show has no reservations about showing dudes' balls. "Tell Me You Love Me" is on at 9 PM EST on HBO, right before Curb.

T.I. Pinched on Gun Charges

2007-10-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

Clifford's bodyguard gave him up when the police arrested the dude after attempting to buy machine guns ... damn, Tip.

Read the CNN story here.

I guess the ATF saw T.I.'s new video:

3,2,1...

2007-10-14T09:10:00.000-07:00

The launch of this site was inevitable; since the inception and subsequent death of "It's Just John", friends have been pleading with me to create a blog.

Well, here it is.

I plan on posting whatever the hell I feel like: info on upcoming movies, video games, goings on in the hip hop industry, etc. I'll try to keep it as interesting as everyone thinks it will be.

To kick it all off, I figure the remaining tracks from the long lost E-Unit tapes would be appropriate...

Big J Tracks

I also plan on giving you faithful readers batches of records I'm listening to at the time. I shall call them-- dimebags. If you don't already have it, download WinRar to extract the files.

That's all for now. Leave comments as to what you'd like to see done on this blog and I'll try to make it happen. Remember, for this to be successful, I need everyone's help.

Visit regularly; post often.

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Stash House is open.

Dimebags- 10/14

Rich Boy- Let's Get This Paper
Jay-Z- Roc Boys
Radiohead- All I Need
Matchbox Twenty- How Far We've Come
Lil Wayne & Juelz Santana- Doin My Thang
50 Cent- I Don't Wanna Talk About It