Move.meant "Miracle"

Move.meant "Gunpowder Language"

Hey folks, I just got a chance to listen to the Move.meant album in its entirety in its mastered glory, and maaaaan is it a dope album!! Thanks to Move.meant, we've been able to preview joints off the album for free.  I haven't got this excited for a record in a while, and its thanks to the strong lyrics by Champ MC and cohesively dope production by Just Beats.  DJ Spider shows up on the cuts to create a phenomenal album.  I guess I'm a bit of a Move.meant groupie, The Scope of Things was one of the most hyped albums for me.  I slowly heard the album in entirety, and I genuinely like every single track on the album.  Sounds like the ingredients of a classic...

I see RapReviews has reviewed the album here, and I am kinda shocked at the ridiculous review.  I'm not going to knock dude's style, he is obviously a good writer. He doesn't have bad taste either, he gave Fishscale #1 of 2006, which is respectable.  I normally don't knock reviews, it's all subjectivity anyway.  I know I'll bump shit like Panacea and respect it while my brother who has a particularity for old school shit will hate on it.  It's all about your own taste, that's why with every review I try to remind people these are MY views and you should always give an album your own listen.  My problem with this review is the condescending hate that comes forth from this guy like he genuinely had a horrible day.  I think with most Hip-Hop tastemakers there is a genuine level or respect everyone has for top albums, like everyone loves illmatic, The Chronic, etc.  So thus my shock at this ridiculously biting revew. 

He'll give Champ MC mad props, say he likes the production and then states "Kids are selling and smoking crack, schools still aren't doing their jobs, and larger corporations continue to punish family businesses. Please, tell me something I don't know. The title track, backed by a tasty throbbing beat, wallows in the same bullshit, only with some sprinkles on it and not as painfully direct."  Honestly, if that's Move.meant's cliche, to make music that tackles those issues, I'll prefer that mundane style over super scientific emo nerd shit anyday.  Are these issues really being talked about with the kind of clarity and force that Champ MC brings on this album?  What are emcees suppose to talk about?!  I guess throwing D's on Cadillacs and reading big dictionary words is more unique. 

I found this album refreshing, upbeat, and solid from start to finish.  Champ MC is way more versatile than what this writer gave him credit for.  He isn't even "super conscious" throughout the album, girls get hollered and b-boys get their breaks on the album.  I swear people see three white people on the cover and swear they are trying to be some super conscious group.  That's the problem with boxing in an artist, you listen to this album expecting some conscious album, you look at the album through a narrow lens.  Move.meant makes GOOD Hip-Hop music and really just GOOD music.  I realize this writer spoke his opinions with clarity and isn't an idiot like most people who write on the internet, but I have to just point out, this guy comes off a bit too hateful.  All you need is a listen to these two joints to realize this group got something special, and once you people hear the album, you'll realize how fuckin tight this group really is.   

The problem with new groups who don't have famous co-signers, writers feel they have free-range to bash and hate like their voice is better than the artists.  It's like every artist needs Phonte on a hook to get some genuine respect.  I guess it's fucked up that promotion is based on largely talentless individuals (myself included) writing to be assholes to get press.  Just ask Bol, he has a name based on conscious-mc racism.  So what's the moral of the story?  This album is on the amazing side and don't let that review tilt you away from it.  Again, if Rap Reviews fan or press are thinking I'm hating, I'm just trying to qualify a review I wasn't feeling. 

The email is , also check out Move.meant's Myspace

RIP and REP D. Ellis

This song speeds up a sample utilized on Kweli's Quality LP "Let me Talk to You" I think is the title.  Too lazy to check, anyway this song is prety hot.  Common seems to be on a roll when it comes to Movie Soundtrack joints.  This song is featured on the movie where Common makes his major acting debut, Smokin' Aces.  Per usual, Common brings dexterous lyrics with smooth vocal delivery.  I sweat Bilal, and him and Common have never combined to make whackness.  This song is double tight because it reminded me how much I sweat Common and Bilal on "Funky 4 You."  Supposedly this movie is horrible, which makse sense.  Movies with lots of stars normally hope to trick people to watch the movie based on star power, not quality.  Kind of like albums that are chock filled with popular guest appearances. 
 

This video is by Peter Rosenberg, and is a HILARIOUS flip on "Throw some D's On it"  Look out for the cameos of Kenn Starr and Kev Brown on this video, it's good shit from fam.  Rosenberg was the dude behind getting the 9th Wonder beat for the Ellis tribute track (which reminds me, I gotta get that file on this server).  I still hafta get at him actually, stupid law school, ruining my time. 

is that email

RIP and REP D. Ellis

The trend has started, and the people are clamoring for more.  Instead of battling the internet fan's quest for bootleggery, artists have found themselves feeding that thirst by providing free albums.  The first album I can remember that provided an EP worth purchase for free were the Laffy Taffy Rots Your Teeth boys, and Kweli/Madlib have followed suit with the very hot Liberation EP.  Stones Throw, a label for the people, comes through with a free release much in the same vein as their original Chrome Children that was for sale.  This CD like the original features fresh new music from Stones Throw artists like Aloe Blacc, Madlib, James Pants, Oh No, Gary Wilson, Roc C, Percee P, M.E.D., and more.  I've always raved about Stones Throw as the best indie label period, and you can thank Peanut Butter Wolf, Egon, and company for selecting acts that give Stones Throw a fresh, diverse, but cohesive group of artists.  They bring the boom-bap, backpack styles, and electronica/funk vibes all in one compilation.  You want to know what the joint is on this record, you have to look no farther than the ridiculous Percee P "Reverse Part 2" produced by Koushik.  That Percee P LP that never saw the light of day last year better be coming this year!!  Speaking of free albums, look out later this year for a free EP from a dope artist premiered on Sumish.com!!

Speaking of albums, it seems El-P has found a way to combat piracy on his own terms.  Every promo copy of his upcoming album I'll Sleep When You're Dead, is individually voiced with the specific journalists name.  So if it leaks, they'll know who exactly is responsible.  I find that this is going to be a strategy that many labels will start rocking which will prevent early leaks.  It won't prevent downloading, but it's at least a preventative measure of some bootlegging.  The important news is that El-P's album is suppose to be bonkers, I wonder if it'll match the shroom overdosing whackiness of "Delorean."  Those random elves or whatever are hilarious on that joint!!

It's a good day, and by a good day I mean a day where I gotta focus on getting mad pages read and finish a 20 page paper.  I'm out!!

RIP and REP D. Ellis

I remember when I first bought The Magnificent, I completely lost my gourd over the production on that album.  With a largely unknown group of artists, Jazzy Jeff crafted a masterful album.  It's 2007, and it's time for The Return of the Magnificent.  Jazzy Jeff is back in on the production tip, collaborating with artists like Raheem Devaughn, Little Brother, CL Smooth, Rhymefest, and others.  This track features a very familiar guitar loop, Jazz drops some flavorful percussion to set-up a nifty beat.  Rhymefest gets props because he is mad intelligent, yet got a mad laidback steez.  Nod ya head to the factor folks.  Look out for the album, I guarantee it is worth the purchase.  I'm crossing my fingers that Big Will jumps in on the album someplace though...

The official news outta North Kak-alakie is that 9th Wonder has officially left Little Brother.  While some would call that bad news, at least they are both still making music.  And I seriously doubt 9th won't be making beats for them on the forever tip, they all still collab with very similar acts.  Still, GetBack! figures to be one of the best albums this year with Nottz and illmind handling the majority of production.  You know 9th Wonder will stay busy.  This isn't the biggest shocker, but I guess the way to look at it is like at least we are going to still get a lot of projects.  Unlike a split-up between ATCQ, who oddly everyone thought LB was a second coming of, these artists will be still dropping projects.   With the bad news comes the good; if they ever reunite, Hip-Hop fans will be able to rejoice once more.  Or at the least talk about it in forums, then proceed to bitch and whine about 9th's percussion...

One of the biggest arguments I have with friends is who are dumber, rappers or rap fans.  It's a tough decision, rap fans might not be dumb, but they are among the worst people on Earth.  I'm included in that assessment, I mean we barely buy music, and everyone is the world's most accurate critic.  The average underground fan won't buy your music, but they'll let the world know how much they hate it.  You'll never hear me get too overboard on a high and mighty vibe like other writers, I guess I realize we are just critics, nothing more.  Martin Lawrence speaks knowledge when he drops "Critics are just bitter people who aren't aritsts/comedians/actors themselves."   However sometimes, rap musicians sometimes get as childish as the average underground fan.  This Tru Life and Dipset beef is definitely on that level.  They hack each other's myspaces, drop really sub-par diss tracks at each other, and just generally annoy people.  I mean Tru Life is allright, but the best song on his mixtape was the Jay-Z intro which featured NO rapping!!   Now Tru Life is making fun of Weezy, calling him Whoopi Goldberg on some freestyle.  Scratch that, that is actually kind of funny.  What's sad is that this beef is obvious an marketing ploy so people like me can talk bout Tru Life.  I guess the rap game itself is dumber than fans and artists combined.

By the way that Khaled joint is like my favorite song now, that track is bonkers.

is the future

RIP and REP D. Ellis

Ok, so first up is the amazing news that I reported earlier on, the Wu-Tang Clan have an album coming out.   According to Billboard.com, the album is going to be called 8 Diagram, after a Kung-fu flick I'm sure the Wu heads worship that I've never seen.  That's right, I'm a Hip-Hop writer who admits things he doesn't know about!! (When's the last time you read a page and they weren't flexing about how much they know).  Anyway back to the point, the Wu reunited with Steve Rifkind at the end of last year, and I predicted an album, but not this soon!!  While Iron Flag disappointed, I imagine Ghostface is on such a roll, that the group is ready to return to dominance.  The official tribute to ODB tribute is going to surface on the album, titled "Life Changes."  The closest Hip-Hop can get with the Beatles is the Wu, and I got flying Wu sign in preparation for this summer LP.  I also fully expect delays, the Wu sweat delays.

I'm wondering who the Rza is going to include production wise besides himself.  While Iron Flag gave room for Trackmasters (are they still alive?), can we please get a Just Blaze banger for the Wu?!

Fabolous "Return of the Hustle" [left click, zshare, courtesy Spinemagazine]

So two new tracks from mainstream artists here, and they bang pretty hard. The first Fabolous joint features a ridiculous Just Blaze beat, with maybe the most horrible chorus provided by Swizz Beatz.  What's up with the trend of including Swizz on a chorus when he didn't produce the joint?!! I don't know, I just got like Swizz Beatz allergies when he shouts mad random shit.  If he at least provided a good beat, I'll be able to stomach Swizz, but mehhh, I'd prefer just Fab-o on this track.  Again, Just Blaze folks, nothing more needs to be said.

DJ Khaled "We Takin' Over" [left click, zshare]

The Khaled joint is another track in the same vein as "Holla At Me" with a fucking knockers beat, with everyone one of your favorite southern rappers.  T.I., Wayne, Baby, Fat Joe, Akon, Rick Ross, and others show up on the track.  I sweat Khaled because he is making undeniably hot music, and trying to get big through an independent label.  Gotta respect that hustle! Lil Wayne's verse is outta control, at first I was really getting mad at his stupid weird voice, but he when he drops "It's not a tumor" I kinda lost it. 

And finally in awesome free album downloading news, Black Milk, is preparing for a full-length release on Fat Beats.  He is offering a free mixtape for download, and that's the best kind of promotion I fucks with.  Click here to get at that free download, which is definitely worth your time.

The homie Trek Life is in Europe now, rocking a tour with Unknown and Oddisee. While rockin the crowds in Europe, they have taken the time to make some hilarious videos and also are recording an EP while the tour rocks out.  That is going to be something I'm mad excited to hear, and I'll let you know more about that project as Trek tells me more.  Hit up Trek's Myspace and check out his blog to peep the videos, especally "Black Bear Mouse Creature" and also make sure to click on the beat cipher video to hear some unreleased shit from Oddisee. 

Allright kids, got a paper to do, get at me @

RIP and REP D. Ellis

Cough, Dj Premier.  Cough, Bumpy Knucks aka Freddie Foxxx.  Do I really have to say anymore?  Preem gets his bass funk on with this dark, yet upbeat production.  Freddie is back to his p's and q's, speaking like a veteran with swift wordplay and strong lines.  "I kick more bitches out my house than Flava."  Freddie's CD is looking mad strong, we all know Freddie got classic in him, just take a listen to Industry Shakedown.  Peep the joint, and if you pass it around on forums, give Sumish a shout.

And fun with videos...
 

This is absolutely hilarious!! If you've seen the original video, where the battle rapper gets duffed, you'll understand where QN5 is coming with this.  QN5 has always been one of my favorite labels, and 2006 has been huge for them. Tonedeff performing at Lollapalooza plus Pack FM and Cunninlynguists dropping two well recieved LP's this year.  Briefly talking to Tone, he let me know about Asterisk 4 that's hitting stores soon February.  Instead of letting the "cat" out of the bag officially, I'll prolly rock an interview with him later.

Be easy folks,
Big R::

RIP and REP D. Ellis

This makes no sense at all to me, but at the same time this is obviously disturbing.  Let's analyze folks, is it logical for the cops to arrest an individual whose work promotes record sales?!  DJ Drama isn't the dude on the streets or internet bootlegging full albums.  Drama brings buzz with his Gangsta Grillz series, and gives mainstream artists the promotion that mainstream labels just can't give.  Don't you think Lil Wayne owes a lot of his popularity to all the tapes DJ Drama organized for him?  Why labels and the Record Industry sees DJ Drama as a threat is complete lunacy, his work in the long run promotes the Hip-Hop economy.

That's why this is so scary.  An actor who economically benefits the record labels is still looked like an enemy.  This is frightening in two ways.  One, it's pretty clear that DJ Drama has the consent of the artists to use their music on his mixtapes.  I mean why else would we hear say Little Brother shout out the iPod king? Even with the consent of the artist, the Record Industry still decided to tactically take Drama down.  What does that say?  It proves the tell-all tale of the mainstream music artist, that they aren't shit and label interests supersede all. 

Second, it shows me that record labels are interested in either destroying the mixtape community or taking it over.  By showing their force, they are attacking one of the most important independent staples in Hip-Hop.  It seems these labels are real focused on shutting down markets where they don't make enough money out of.  The future of mixtapes are definitely on the line with the pending trial of DJ Drama, as labels will then have a Court ruling to back any future raids.  The mixtape game as we see it might be coming to an end.  The future to me depends on the labels, who I think are raiding DJ's because they want to buy in.  They will probably offer DJ's "deals" to continue producing mixtapes with their artists, where they get a percentage.  So the mixtape game will go from an independent market, to one regulated by the labels.  By citing copyright law as a claim to the music they didn't make, I feel these labels are rocking some hostile takeover shit.

At the least, it will be interesting to see what develops from this.  Keep easy folks!

RIP and REP D. Ellis

The day people pass away in Hip-Hop normally get commemorated, like September 7th for Pac and March 9th for BIG. So in the same vein, I ask the friends of Dave not to be too down today, but just reminisce on a happy thought or memory, and play some Hip-Hop as loud as physically possible.  Do you honestly think Dave would like us sulking, no, in fact he'd be like "Rahul, give me more props and less sappy bullsh*t on the page!!"  In fact, I guarantee if Dave could holler at me now, the first thing he would do is say "Rahul, your Round up for 2006 is absolutely horrible.  You need to get out of California, and stop listening to nerd rap.  How the fuck is Clipse not in your top ten?!"  And that thought alone keeps me smiling. 

Here are words from Dave's Mother along with the pictures of the the gravestones:

Hi Everyone,

It’s hard to believe that a year has gone by since we lost our beloved David. This past year has been a whirlwind of emotion for all of us. I just wanted to take a moment at this time to thank all of you for your prayers, support, love, hugs, jokes, cards, emails, and whatever else you’ve sent my way to help me get through this year. I have been so blessed to have such loving people in my life. I didn’t have the email addresses of many of David’s friends, so I hope those of you who get this will forward it to the others.

I’m sending a few pictures of David’s gravestone. I’m not trying to be maudlin or creepy, I just want to share with you how nice it looks, and the lovely words engraved on the stone. One of David’s best friends, Paul Walker, wrote the message. He wasn’t able to attend the funeral, but he wrote a letter that was read at the service. It ended with the words carved on the stone.

I pray that we all remember the importance of living in the moment, in gratitude and appreciation of our lives and the people that share it with us. I’ll be spending Jan 24 listening to some of David’s music, possibly even reading a few of his old Teenaged Mutant Ninja Cocktail Weenies comics from when he was in 5^th grade. I know we all feel SO PROUD to have had his presence in our lives. I pray that he carries a piece of all of us in his eternal spirit.

Rochelle Ellis

If you would like to visit Dave and pay your respects, hit me up on email @

I got class and I'm going to bump the living shit out of "T.R.O.Y." like it was a pinata and I was a sugar-starved fat kid.

Peace Everyone,
Big R

RIP and REP D. Ellis

So Prodigy is aiming to come back with a new solo project, Return of the Mac.  Prodigy's last first single for H.N.I.C. was absolutely blazing, ya'll know "Keep it Thoro" for those classic beginning lyrics.  "I break bread, ribs, hundid dollar bills..." (That quote might be off, too lazy to check).  It seems like Prodigy is coming back fierce with his own solo LP, this time released on Koch.  "Stuck to You" is mad solid, and makes me forgive Prodigy for lazily spitting through Blood Money.

We've seen the video for his previous joints with incredibly dark production, with Prodigy doing his best to get his gully on.  I'm not heads over heels on the prospects of the album, but I'm cautiously optimistic.  He sounds way hungry, and I guess a losing album will inspire that out of Prodigy.  G-Unit flopped with the Mobb Deep album, and it seems Prodigy's focus is making a solid album on an independent label.

The album title though...it's like Mark Morrison wants his favorite single back. "Return of the Mack" was classic mid-90's one-hit wonder, and it seems like an odd reference to a mediocre track. Either way, cool track, peep it folks!

Remember to tell all your friends that Sumish.com is back!

RIP and REP D. Ellis

Ayatollah obviously brings that soul-stirring shit, and Masta Ace seems to get better with age like a solid bottle of Chardonnay.  Masta Ace proves it's not about the speed of your raps and that clarity with solid format is the perfect formula for a successful flow.  As well as this joint, I posted some old joints for ya'll as well that were on the under construction page.

RIP and REP D. Ellis

Older Links:
Skyzoo ft. Torae "Get it Done" [produced by DJ Premier]
Sean Price ft. Phonte "Let it be Known" [left click, zshare]
Download WHOLE Talib Kweli and Madlib "Liberation" LP [left click, filewind]

First off before I bring up any big news....

2006 IN REVIEW 20 DAYS TOO LATE

Sure it's late, but damnit, it'll be better than most of the year ends you'll read this year.  Ain't that the damn truth.  So make sure to check that out before I get into some random updates for today.

R.A. the Rugged Man "Super" [left click, zshare]

R.A. has faced a rise in popularity since his show stealing guest vocal on the Jedi Mind Tricks album.  This track is mad dope, production and lyrics wise.  I would be more specific, but you have the song and I'm watching football. 

Wade Waters featured in The Source!

Click here to check the article.

Good to see Haysoos and Soulstice (collectively Wade Waters) get some mainstream shine.  You know I enjoyed their album Dark Water, so enjoy the read, and enjoy the fact The Source are highlighting dope independent crews.  It wasn't that many years ago that The Naked Truth got 5 mics. 

Ok, so I know the page is bare.  Give me and the webmaster sometime to get content back here.  It'll be done, and at the least you folks will have new updates. The Forums aren't up yet, but I'll let you know when they jump off.  Stay tuned and TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW THAT WE BACK!!

RIP and REP D. Ellis