Zack Hemsey - "Changeling (New Beginnings)"

Song of the week: Curen$y- Roasted

AZ "Sugar hill"

Album Review:Wu-Tang Clan "Enter The 36 Chambers"

This debut revolutionized hip-hop (and launched half a dozen solo careers), as much for The RZA's raw barrage of off-kilter, off-key loops and sound effects as for its consistently violent lyrics. Martial arts,at least as they appear in kung fu movies--are the Wu-Tang Clan's favorite metaphor, but they're also the organizing principle of the group, a crowd of eight rappers, each with his own way-out-there "fighting style." They created their own little self-contained culture, with its own symbols and shifting identities, and let listeners figure it out for themselves. Unless you're willing to immerse yourself in its world, it can be baffling and a little dry, but its aggression and originality are undeniable. This is it. If an alien landed on earth and wanted to know what hip hop was I would play him this. This is the definition of (Near) perfect hip hop.

1.Bring Da Ruckus (Ghostface, Raekwon, Inspektah Deck, GZA)
Perfect opening song. Once you hear "Shaolin Shadowboxing" you know it's on. With a dark Beat from the RZA and equally dark rhymes from the rest of the clan. Great Song. 10/10

2.Shame On A N**** (Ol Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ol Dirty Bastard)
The complete opposite of the first song. A funky, piano abundent beat with laid back rhymes. This is the first you hear of Ol Dirty Bastard and it's some of his best. It's also one of the only old upbeat RZA productions I've ever heard (even though I love this beat). 9.5/10

3.Clan In Da Front (Intro by the RZA, GZA solo)
My favorite Wu member (GZA), rips it up over a classic RZA piano loop. 9.5/10

4.Wu-Tang:7th Chamber
This song is so underrated just because it isn't one of RZA's best beats. But if you look past that this song holds some of the best rhymes on the album (RZA's, Ol Dirty Bastard's & Inspectah Deck's especially). 9.5/10

5.Can It Be All So Simple (Raekwon, Ghostface Killah)
A laid back track from Ghostface & Raekwon (Who went on to work together much more in depth) talking about the "Good ol Days" This song ends with an interview that has Method Man describing every member of the Wu. 9.0/10

6.Da Mystery Of Chessboxin (U-God, Inspektah Deck, Raekwon, Method Man, Ol Dirty Bastard, Ghost Face Killah, Masta Killa)
This song gets better the more you listen to it. The song starts with the familier use of kung fu samples. U-God makes an apperance and just destroys the first verse and makes this song a classic. Masta Killa appears on this song (this is actually like a guest apperance considering he wasn't part of the group at this time) and shows off his lyrical prowess with lines like "We have an APB on an mc killa/looks like the work of a masta" 9.5/10

7.Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin Ta F' Wit (RZA, Inspektah Deck, Method Man)
One of my favorite songs of all time, one of the greatest RZA productions and the energy on this track is crazy. 10/10

8.C.R.E.A.M. (Raekwon, Inspektah Deck, Meth on chourus)
RZA produces one of the best piano loops in rap EVER, and Raekwon and Inspektah Deck drop 2 of the best verses on the CD. 10/10

9.Method Man (Method Man)
Yes it is like the title says. Method Man gets a solo song. That can be good or bad however you look at it. I think it's a shame that method man and Ghostface are the only members of the clan to get much commercial exposure. However this song is still great but it may be a little too long for it's own good. Still it's hard not to get caught singing along with the chorus "M.E.T.H.O.D. MAN!" 9.5/10

10.Protect Ya Neck (Inspektah Deck, Raewkon, Method Man, U-God, Ol Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah, RZA, GZA)
This song is edited on this CD for some reason. This song features all Wu-Tang members except for Masta Killa, and everyone drops a hot verse, especially ODB & GZA. Classic Video. 10/10

11.Tearz (RZA, Ghostface Killah)
RZA puts his keyboards to good use in this song. The Catchy beat works perfectly here. RZA & Ghostface both leave you thinking with their verses which are both meaningful, disturbing and thought-provoking. 9.0/10

12.Wu-Tang 7th Chamber Pt.II (Raekwon, Method Man, Inspektah Deck, Ghostface Killah, RZA, Ol Dirty Bastard, GZA)
This is basically a remix of the original but with an even weaker beat. A conclusion to the interview started in Can It Be all so Simple is a nice way to close an album. 8.0/10

Final Rating:96 out of 100

Wu Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M
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Wu Tang Clan - protect ya neck
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Wu-Tang Clan - Mystery Of Chessboxin
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Wu-Tang Clan - M.E.T.H.O.D. Man
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Classic Video:Camp Lo "Luchini"

J. Cole Feat. Drake-In The Morning Official Video

Album Reveiw: The Notorious B.I.G. 'Life After Death"

I

remember back in 1997 when this album was released, the whole hip hop scene seemed like all out war... Biggie had lifted the vacant King of New York crown back in 94 with his killer debut 'Ready To Die', but got killed on the streets of Cali weeks before this follow up album was released. Life After shows Biggie's growth as an artist and man. The storytelling is very cinematic and compelling. This is really a movie on wax for real. The paranoia is also raised on here and for good reason since Biggie spent 1996 fending off Pac's accusations and insults. In short, Biggie was a naturally gifted, personable, smart dude that's greatly missed.

Disc one

1. Intro
Good intro that picks up right where "Ready To Die" left off (literally).

2. Somebody Gotta Die
My favorite song. This is Biggie at his storytelling best. He creates a vivid story of revenge and he lays out some amazing lyrics over this haunting beat. "Revenge I'm tastin at the tip of my lips. I can't wait to feel my clip in his hips." 10/10

3. Hypnotize
I hate this song. 3/10

4. Kick In The Door
Great song with some really tight lyrics from BIG. He's got some classic rhymes over this great beat by DJ Premier after a pretty funny skit with the Madd Rapper. "Ain't no other kings in this rap thing. They siblings, nothing but my chil'ren. One shot, they disappearin." 10/10

5. #!*@ You Tonight
Pretty nice song with R.Kelly for the ladies. Big's got some nice rhymes and it's got a good beat. Incredibly raunchy. 7/10

6. Last Day
Pretty hot song produced by Havoc. It features LOX and they all tear up their verses as does Biggie. "You still apologizing, analyzing, my size and your size and realizing, a fist fight would be asinine" 9/10

7. I Love The Dough
A little too poppy. I think of it as the sequel to "Brooklyn's Finest" on "Reasonable Doubt". Again, both Biggie and Jay-Z produce some great lyrics. "You ain't fazing the amazing. While your gun's raising, mine is blazing." 8/10

8. What's Beef?
Good song over a pretty catchy beat with a lot of strings. Puffy gets annoying but Biggie's got some more great, slow rhymes. It also contains one of the most fucked up lines in the history of rap. (Well besides that ONE song by DMX) 9/10

9. B.I.G. Interlude
Nothing special or notable other than that it's produced by The Notorious B.I.G. He just spells out his name.

10. Mo Money Mo Problems
Very catchy beat but it got overplayed. Still, Ma$e provides a nice verse as does Big. Puffy is OK. "Me lose my touch? Never that. If I did, ain't no problem to get the gat." 8/10

11. N****s Bleed
Another great song in which BIG tells a gripping story. It's got a great, dark beat. By the end of this song, you feel like you're in that hallway. "Nothing to lose, tattooed around his gun wounds. Everything to gain, embedded in his brain." 10/10

12. I Got A Story To Tell
Funny story BIG tells about what happens when a guy walks into his house where Biggie's with the guy's girl. Afterwards, BIG tells the story again but not in song. 9/10

Disc Two

1. Notorious Thugs
Good song with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Shows Biggie's range as he speed raps successfully with Bone Thugs. Catchy hook as well. "Doesn't it seem odd to you? Big come through with mobs and crews." 10/10

2. Miss U
Depressing song that Big sings about friends that have died (mainly about his homey "O"). "I'm a thug, but I swear, for three days I cried. I looked in the sky and ask God why. Can't look his baby girls in the eye." 9/10

3. Another
Pretty weak song featuring Lil Kim. Probably considered filler. Pretty bad techno sounding beat too. 4/10

4. Going Back to Cali
Okay song about Cali. average beat and some great lines by Big. Funny phone conversation between BIG and Puffy at the beginning. "All I got is beef with those that violate me. I shall annihilate thee." 8/10

5. Ten Crack Commandments
Classic song basically about how to be a successful drug dealer. Clever lyrics and delivery. "Don't you know Bad Boys move in silence or violence? Take it from your highness. I done squeezed mad clips at these cats for they bricks and chips." 10/10

6. Playa Hater
Very funny song with BIG singing about how to rob. It's just funny hearing him sing (or at least try). 9/10

7. Nasty Boy
I don't know. I don't think that there's anything really special about this song. The beat's kind of annoying and the song's not a standout by any means. I Cant fuck with this shit. 3/10

8. Sky's The Limit
Great inspirational song by Biggie who basically explains his ascent in the world. It's sad hearing him look forward to his future though. "Only make moves when your heart's in it and live the phrase 'Sky's The Limit'" 9/10

9. The World is Filled
Unnecessary song. Too Short and Puffy make guest appearances but they're not memorable. 7/10

10. My Downfall
Creepy song with BIG talking about people out to get him. Great beat and lyrics and DMC handles the chorus. "Not too many keep a mill in the briefcase. Infrared's help me sleep safe." 10/10

11. Long Kiss Goodnight
Another great, dark song at the end of this album. Some really great rhymes in here over really great beat by RZA (Wu-Tang Clan). "Laugh now cry later, I rhyme greater than the average player haters and spectators." 10/10

12. You're Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You)
Perfect ending for The album even though it's creepy as fuck listening to it. Classic lyrics and great beat by the Hitmen. "As I leave my competition respirator style. Climb the ladder to success escalator style." Crazy line. 10/10

With 2 discs, Life After Death gives the listener a lot of material by Biggie. Some reviewers criticize this as having some weaker stuff and annoying guest appearances, but I think that's just a function of having a bigger album. Some stuff inevitably will not be as good as the rest. And I think the guest appearances are fine. Lil Kim spews off a foul mouth on one track, but that's what she does in her own stuff. Anyway, there's lots of great raps on here. The album's a bit slicker and more produced, lacking some of the edge of Ready to Die, but I think things as a whole work very well. While maybe not quite as awesome, on a song by song basis, as Ready to Die, this album definitely has enough quality material for the an enjoyable listen.

Lyrics: A-
Production: B+
Guest Appearances: C+
Musical Vibes: A-
Overall: B+

Top 5 Favorite Tracks:
1. Somebody's Gotta Die
2. I gotta Story to tell
3. Niggaz Bleed
4. Ten Crack Conmmandments
5. Sky's The Limit

Honorable Mention Tracks:
1. Whats Beef
2. You're Nobody (Till Somebody Kills You)

Kanye West - All Of The Lights ft. Rihanna, Kid Cud

Sony HDR-FX7 3-CMOS Sensor HDV High-Definition Handycam Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom

Shoot like a pro with the HDR-FX7 High Definition Handycam(R) camcorder. Capture amazing video and still images in high definition with the first HDV 1080i 3 CMOS sensor consumer-level camcorder and player in the world. The three - 1/4" ClearVID CMOS Sensors provide stunning detail and precision, while a 20x Optical Zoom Carl Zeiss Lens maintains image clarity. Since the HDR-FX7 records video in high-definition, you can dual record still images at the same time. So no matter what the occasion, the HDR-FX7 is the perfect camcorder for the situation. A Sony developed Real Time MPEG Encode/Decode system with reduced energy consumption and compact size to fit inside a personal camcorder. This provides efficient MPEG2 compression, and recording and playback of clear HD images at the same bit rate of the DV format, so that High Definition video can be recorded on the same cassettes as are used for MiniDV recording. From the authority in lens technology, the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens provides a high-quality 20x optical zoom which maintains image clarity and color while reducing glare and flare. Dual independent zoom and focus rings provide precise and detailed control over the amount of zoom and the overall focus of the image with just a turn of the rings. Fast, intuitive framing when zooming, and finely detailed focusing is easy with the natural "feel" of the rings. Easily adjust the amount of light entering the lens by adjusting exposure brightness in accordance with the iris and gain. The Iris control allows the volume of light to be adjusted (shutter speed and gain are adjustable). Though not small enough to carry with you to Disney, this camcorder opens up new opportunities for serious amateur and semi-professionals to record videos suitable for play on new widescreen HDTV sets. An IEEE1394 iLink port is provided for easy transfer to a PC or Macintosh for professional editing applications.