Rhymes: Top Hip Hop Singles of the Decade (40-31)

#40 The Roots "Break You Off" (2002)

This 2002 single is off the follow up to their 1999 grammy winning classic hit "You Got Me", many say it was a disappointment, but that album along with this song is what got me into the legendary roots crew.

#39 Kanye West "Touch the Sky (ft Lupe Fiasco)[2005]

This song introduced the world to Lupe Fiasco, and Lupe goes off on this. Classic Just Blaze beat, one of Kanye's finer singles.

#38 Raekwon "House of the Flying Daggers (ft. Ghost, Inspectah, Mef, and GZA)[2009]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHVCQc6cbSw (Heres the video its awesome, no embedding allowed, gay youtube)

The lead single off of Royce's comeback album, and one of 09's best albums. A majority of the Wu shred's a Dilla production that sounded like it was crafted for a Cuban Linx album.

#37 Eminem - Lose Yourself [2002]

Everyone's heard this song a million too many times, but who can deny this song? It's easily one of the best things he's ever done, and it seems like this is the closest we'll ever see Mr. Mathers reach his full potential. While 09's Relapse wasn't bad, it still had a hand full of just shit songs, which plagued a lot of his career.

#36 Cunninlynguists - "Seasons (ft Masta Ace)" [2003]

Although there was no music video made for this underground classic, it was released as a 12" single, which qualifies it for this list. Ohio's RJD2 produced this gem, as its one of the few 'lynguists songs that kno does not produce, but he does do a job as he shares mic duties with Legend Masta Ace, former member Mr. SoS and fellow founder of the group Deacon the Villain.

#35 Atmosphere - "Trying to find a Balance" [2003]

Atmosphere's 2003 album, Seven's Travels is often considered the Minnesota duo's worst full-length, but it also features their career defining single, Trying to Find a Balance.

#34 Royce da 5'9" - "Boom!" [2002]

This is vintage Primo with one of Detroit's finest emcees unleashing some his best rhymes.

#33 OutKast - "The Whole World (ft Killer Mike)" [2001]

Outkast drops yet another gem off of their 2001 greatest hits album, some of the best drums I've ever heard on a hip hop song.

#32 Brother Ali - "Room with a View" [2003]

Classic Ant and Ali. Ali's vivid lyricism makes me feel like a resident of Minneapolis.

#31 Mos Def - "Life in Marvelous Times" [2009]

Off of one of 2009's best albums, Mos makes his "Comeback" from 2004 and 2006 duds with this masterpiece. The way this tracks builds beautifully, there is no other word to describe the track other than well, Marvelous.

Rhymes: Top 50 hip hop singles of the decade (50-41)

So I decided to compile the top 50 Hip Hop singles of the past decade (there's just too much rock and other genres that I havent heard so it would be unfair for me to do a ranking of those genres), heres the criteria:
- Must be released from 2000-2009
- Must be a Single (VLS,CDS, Digi-Single) or have an official music video made for it
- Must be released by a hip hop artist and there must be mostly rapping on the record (no autotune singing shit)
- Must be on my iTunes library (sorry for those who I havent heard, but my library consists of 9289 songs currently)
- Must have a strong personal influence

and with that being said...

#50 Twista - "Overnight Celebrity" [2004]
[Video Not Found, Thanks YouTube]
Well you all know it, one of 2004s biggest hits, a classic Kanye beat.

#49 Dilated Peoples - "Worst Comes to Worst" [2001]

The trio from the left coast's most famous hit (until they collabed with a certain chi-town producer)

#48 Erick Sermon - "Relentless" [2004]

I could've very well gone with 2001's classic "Music" but this is the song is what introduced me to the green eye'd bandit and it's straight rapping, no hook, which i've always had a soft spot for.

#47 Jake One - "The Truth (ft. Freeway and Brother Ali) [2008]

The Seattle beatsmith brought together two of the fiercest emcees on this hard hitting production. Who comes better? my vote goes to Ali, but Free wasn't a slouch on this by any means.

#46 B.o.B - "I'll Be in the Sky" [2008]

Bobby Ray is easily the least prolific artist on the list, but he certainly isnt the least talented. This song is undeniable, and is a personal classic. As for Mr. Ray's future? only time will tell, his debut album will be released (hopefully) this April.

#45 Substantial - "It's You (I Think)" [2009]

Stan has given the QN5 label its first major air-play with this kno laced track.

#44 Wu Tang Clan - "The Heart Gently Weeps" [2007]

The come back single from the almighty Wu, while 8 diagrams wasn't as great as many would hope this song was fantastic. Ms. Badu on the chorus and George Harrison's son playing guitar. And Rae, Ghost and Mr. Mef bring it home. Classic Wu.

#43 Wyclef Jean - "Sweetest Girl (ft. Akon and Lil Wayne)

This almost broke my must-have-rapping-on-it rule, but lil wayne saves the day (Whaaa?), but seriously this is one of those songs i could hear a million times and not get sick of. I dont know why I love it so much, its just a damn good song.

#42 Da Ranjahz - "Inspiration (ft Cee-Lo)[2003]

This is the only song I know from this horribly named group, but this primo-produced track is a personal classic.

#41 Jay-Z - "Song Cry" [2001]

Here is the best single released from 2001's blueprint (how was heart of the city not released as a single???).

Rhymes: Jimmy Fallon, Horatio Sans, The Strokes, & The Roots - "I Wish It Was Christmas Today"

Rhymes: Jay Electronica Video

Jay Electronica Live @ Santos 11.3.09 from Adam Saewitz on Vimeo.

I dont know what this is, but its great. It includes performances of the unreleased Dear Moleskin and Exhibit C (both produced by Just Blaze). Jay is supposed to release an EP sometime this month. we'll see about that...

found at:
http://www.bengalyucky.com/

Rhymes: Macklemore - "Otherside" (Live Performance)

This guy is awesome, I first heard him on CunninLynguists' SJV2 on the Song Close Your Eyes. This performance is incredible. His EP will be released this Tuesday.

You can download the song here, it samples the bassline from Red Hot Chili Peppers' song of the same name:
http://usershare.net/n59cmamjpm9r

From Dwight Schrute's Beet Farm: Operation Weezy F. Baby

DEA Recruits Lil Wayne To Use Up All Drugs In Mexico

From Dwight Schrute's Beet Farm: Frosty the Inappropriate Broman

Rhymes: A Dorm is Not a Home (Free Download)

http://www.sendspace.com/file/wn31o5

Yes BRL is the only place (until midnight tonight) where you can download my new album, A Dorm is Not a Home. I worked exactly a year on this album, by recording "A Song for the Walk Home" during last Thanksgiving break and finishing up the final songs during this year's Thanksgiving break.

This is easily my best work, and I am ready for more and more people to hear my music. This album was primarily inspired by my freshman year in college, but I also touch on many different topics all with a similar theme: Home.

This album was a journey for me, as was the previous albums, but the last year of my life was something I have never experienced before, which definitely reflected in this music. Please give this album a serious listen and let me know what you think, thanks.

- Goose

From Dwight Schrute's Beet Farm...

I just wanted to post this, cuz its pure awesomeness...

Rhymes: Grammy Nominations Announced

So the Grammys have announced their nominations and BRL will take you through each (important) category, we will tell you who WILL win and who SHOULD win.

Category 1
Record Of The Year
(Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s), if other than the artist.)
* Halo
Beyoncé

* I Gotta Feeling
The Black Eyed Peas

* Use Somebody
Kings Of Leon

* Poker Face
Lady Gaga

* You Belong With Me
Taylor Swift

Who Will Win: "Halo" Beyonce.
Unfortunately 2008-2009 was plagued with just god-awful music from Beyonce that many people for some reason loved, I think B will take home many awards in February.

Who Should Win: "You Belong With Me"
Swift may also win this category, her talent is undeniable, even though she isn't necessarily my cup of tea, she is an excellent song writer.

Category 2

Album Of The Year
(Award to the Artist(s) and to the Album Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s)/Mixer(s) & Mastering Engineer(s), if other than the artist.)

* I Am... Sasha Fierce
Beyoncé

* The E.N.D.
The Black Eyed Peas

* The Fame
Lady Gaga

* Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King
Dave Matthews Band

* Fearless
Taylor Swift

Who will win: Dave Matthews.
Every year the most prestigious award seems to go to an artist who is relatively irrelevant and who peaked atleast a decade earlier. I wouldnt be surprised if Beyonce or Swift takes home this award, but if history shows us anything the winner will be Dave and the Boys.,

Who should win: Im just astounished at how bad this category is this year. 2008 had several albums that were worthy of this award, honestly I dont think anyone mentioned here should take home this award, but if I had to award it I'd give it to Swift again.

Song Of The Year
(A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

* Poker Face
Lady Gaga & RedOne, songwriters (Lady Gaga)

* Pretty Wings
Hod David & Musze, songwriters (Maxwell)

* Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart, songwriters (Beyoncé)

* Use Somebody
Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill,

* You Belong With Me
Liz Rose & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)

Who Will and Should Win: Taylor Swift
This award is for songwriters, which is why it is different than record of the year. I think Swift's is the best written song out of the mentioned, I wouldnt be too offended if "Use Somebody" wins in this category either.

Category 4

Best New Artist
(For a new artist who releases, during the Eligibility Year, the first recording which establishes the public identity of that artist.)

* Zac Brown Band

* Keri Hilson

* MGMT

* Silversun Pickups

* The Ting Tings

Who Will Win: I have a feeling the academy will favor Keri Hilson, although her album did not fare all that will with critics, this category is surprising weak, with exception of:

Who Should Win: MGMT! Im very pleased to see these guys get nominated, but Im certainly not holding my breath for a victory.

Category 16

Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
(For duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

* Can't Find My Way Home
Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood

* Life In Technicolor II
Coldplay

* 21 Guns
Green Day

* Use Somebody
Kings Of Leon

* I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight
U2

Who Will Win: Fuckin Green Day,God I hate this band and song. Kings of Leon also may win, but the academy loves them some shitty rock, cant believe Nickleasscrack wasnt nominated.

Who Should Win: Coldplay. Easily the best song in this category, no explination needed.

Category 21

Best Rock Album
(Vocal or Instrumental. Includes Hard Rock and Metal.)

* Black Ice
AC/DC

* Live From Madison Square Garden
Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood

* 21st Century Breakdown
Green Day

* Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King
Dave Matthews Band

* No Line On The Horizon
U2
Who Will Win: GreenDay

Who Should Win: Well not a big fan of any of these bands, but Id rather see Dave take this one over the rest of these other fucks (except Clapton, but seriously a live album?). I dont really care about this category.

Best R&B Song
(A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

* Blame It
James T. Brown, John Conte, Jr., Jamie Foxx, Christopher Henderson, Brandon R. Melanchon, Breyon Prescott, T-Pain & Nathan L. Walker, songwriters (Jamie Foxx & T-Pain)
* Lions, Tigers & Bears
Salaam Remi & Jazmine Sullivan, songwriters (Jazmine Sullivan)

* Pretty Wings
Hod David & Musze, songwriters (Maxwell)

* Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart, songwriters (Beyoncé)

* Under
D. Babbs, L. Bereal, M. Cooper, A. Dixon, J. Franklin, T. Jones, R. New & K. Stephens, songwriters (Pleasure P)

Who will win: Beyonce. the song is utter trash, the worst from her shitty ass collection of singles that plagued the air waves in the past year.

Who Should win: Lions Tigers & Bears, by Jazmine Sullivan. An excellent song, I wouldnt be too surprised if this song actually won the award.

Category 31

Best Rap Solo Performance
(For a solo Rap performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

* Best I Ever Had
Drake

* Beautiful
Eminem

* D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)
Jay-Z

* Day 'N' Nite
Kid Cudi

* Casa Bey
Mos Def
This is actually a surprisingly good category.

Who Will Win: Drake

Who Should Win: Mos Def has the best song out of the nominations here, but all these songs represent mainstream hip hop very well, which is rare for the grammys.

Category 32

Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group
(For duo, group or collaborative performances of Rap only. Singles or Tracks only.)

* Too Many Rappers
Beastie Boys & Nas

* Crack A Bottle
Eminem, Dr. Dre & 50 Cent

* Money Goes, Honey Stay
Fabolous & Jay-Z

* Make Her Say
Kid Cudi, Kanye West & Common

* Amazing
Kanye West & Young Jeezy

Who Should and Will Win: Amazing. The only song that deserves a grammy nomination. The 50 Em and Dre song is just plain lazy. Make Her Say was a cool mixtape song, but had no business being on an album or single. And a big WTF at Fabolous taking a Jay-z leftover and recording a verse and getting a grammy nod for it.

Category 33

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
(For a Rap/Sung collaborative performance by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.)

* Ego
Beyoncé & Kanye West

* Knock You Down
Keri Hilson, Kanye West & Ne-Yo

* Run This Town
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West

* I'm On A Boat
The Lonely Island & T-Pain

* Dead And Gone
T.I. & Justin Timberlake
Who Will and Should Win: T.I. and JT. I could also see jay, ye and rhi winning. As long as On a Boat does not win. They do realize thats a parody song right? pretty solid category other than that.

Category 34

Best Rap Song
(A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

* Best I Ever Had
Aubrey Drake Graham, D. Hamilton & M. Samuels, songwriters (Drake)
[Aspire/Young Money/Cash Money; Publisher: Sony/ATV Tunes.]

* Day 'N' Nite
S. Mescudi & O. Omishore, songwriters (Kid Cudi)
[Universal Motown/Good/Fool's Gold; Publishers: Elsie's Baby Boy, Owo Olorun, Universal Music Publishing.]

* Dead And Gone
C. Harris, R. Tadross & J. Timberlake, songwriters (T.I. & Justin Timberlake)
Track from: Paper Trail
[Grand Hustle/Atlantic; Publishers: Crown Club Publishing/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing/Tenman Tunes/Universal Z Tunes/Cleopatra's Sons Music/EMI April Music.]

* D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)
Shawn Carter & Ernest Wilson, songwriters (Gary DeCarlo, Dale Frashuer, Paul Leka, Janko Nilovic & Dave Sucky, songwriters) (Jay-Z)
[Atlantic; Publishers: EMI April Music, Carter Boys Music/Chrysalis Songs/No ID Music, Unichappell Music, APM Music.]

* Run This Town
Shawn Carter, R. Fenty, M. Riddick, Kanye West & E. Wilson, songwriters (Athanasios Alatas, songwriter) (Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West)
[Roc Nation; Publishers: EMI April Music, Carter Boys Music/Please Gimme My Publishing/EMI Blackwood/Chrysalis Songs/No ID Music/All The Above Publishing/Sony ATV/Annauhi Music/Athanasios Alatas Publishing.]

Who Will Win: Drake.

Who Should Win: Jay for D.O.A. as a song writing award DOA should win cuz its Jay at his best (well atleast on the lyrically disappointing BP3) lyrically.


Category 35

Best Rap Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

* Universal Mind Control
Common
[Geffen]

* Relapse
Eminem
[Aftermath/Interscope]

* R.O.O.T.S.
Flo Rida
[Poe Boy/Atlantic]

* The Ecstatic
Mos Def
[Downtown Records]

* The Renaissance
Q-Tip
[Universal Motown]

Im so pissed that UMC got a nod, that is by far the worst piece of shit Ive ever heard. Ok its not THAAT bad (close though), but its easily the worst thing common has ever put his name on.

Who will win: hmmmm my instincts make me want to say go with commercially successful albums such as Flo-Ryda (boooo!) or Eminem's comeback album, but I think this year will be different. People like Mos a lot, as they should, I think Mos will win.

Who should win: Well I think Mos should win, but I think Tip's album is just a little better, its a toss up.

Rhymes: Greatest Albums of All-Time: #5 Reflection Eternal (Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek) - Train of Thought

I bought this album 1/1/05. That was the beginning of the 2nd semester of my freshman year in high school. At this point I was starting my transition into a different type of hip hop. It was a few months after the disappointing Encore album by Eminem, and I was growing tired of mainstream hip hop in general. Reflection Eternal was my gateway into I dont want to say conscious, but just better hip hop.

This classic 2000 album, is highly regarded as one of the best hip hop releases of this decade. With flawless production provided by Cincinnati native, Hi-Tek and the peak of Talib Kweli's lyrical prowess. This is the type of album that happens once in a life time. The combination of two artists at their best; released during the perfect time where hip hop NEEDED a record like this. The vibe generated from this record cannot be duplicated. Although the two are currently working on the follow up to this classic record, they will never be able to recapture such a perfect and genuine moment in music.

I could sit here and take you through this album track by track, describing the sonic nirvana this album provides the listener. But instead I will keep this breif. This album is perfect for the winter time, which is upon us, so I highly suggest that you listen to it.

Rhymes & Life: The Making of...

walks home.
the snow.
the wind.
leaving home.
dorm rooms.
room 57.
room 58.
room 56.
Rodgers Quad.
the bad smells.
the rusted pipes.
iPods.
escaping.
cell phones.
missing.
cigarettes.
self-destruction.
loneliness.
electric guitars.
1990 pontiac grand am.
wooster.
east reed street.
new homes.
nina simone.
bob dylan.
folk music.
hurricane katrina.
destroyed homes.
goodgirlsgonebad.
lost soul.
pink floyd.
walls.
glass house.
suicide.
losing friends.
walking away.
i'm not there.
more bob dylan.
nothing.
life.
love.
senses.
grandfather clocks.
time.
cuckoo birds.
bitter old men.
away we go.
even more bob dylan.
broken homes.
nights on the couch.
empty hearts.
alexi murdoch.
the open road.
post cards.
empty rooms.
big cities.
big buildings.
my teenage years.
ex-lovers and best friends.
norah jones.
walks at night.
god.
light.
luther vandross - a house is not a home.
thursday nights.
my freshman year.
bgsu.
The Rodge.

A Dorm is Not a Home.
December 8th.

Now I know I said I wouldn't talk too much about my personal music projects, but fuck that, it's my blog, I'm gonna talk about me for a while haha. But yeah brace yourself for some exclusives from my album coming soon. If you want a copy of my album contact me on here, or e-mail me or text me, or just yell my name really loud, or dont even say anything do something, with your eyebrow... was that it? (I couldnt find the video, but that line was from How I Met Your Mother... yepp)

From Dwight Schrute's Beet Farm: Happy AIDS Day!

December 1st marks that it is AIDS day. Sorry I havnet been Mmmmmmming much, I've been busy, tried joining a new gym, thats one thing, there's others... a lot of paper work. so yeah....,.... I have some more posts coming soon (after I finish all these godddddaammmmmnnnnn papers).

Rhymes: B.o.B (Bobby Ray) - "No Man's Land" (Video)

A while ago I posted a live performance of this song, which was awesome. Here's the official video. And his full-length debut album finally has a date, April 2010. Thank God.

Rhymes: #6 Greatest Album of All Time: Bright Eyes "Fevers & Mirrors"

Oberst's 2000 classic is easily the darkest and probably the most difficult album to listen to on this list. Classifying this album as an "emo" album does it a great injustice, but you still cant deny that this album evokes very strong emotions; with songs dealing with heartbreak and suicide. Oberst's whiney voice is for selected tastes only, but for those who dont mind it will find some of the most brilliant lyrics of this generation.

Mirrors is a 12 track masterpiece that uses a lot of metaphors and imagery that upon hundreds of listens, I probably still havent understood every lyric. I often compare this album to the #7 album on this list, God Loves Ugly. Both are very pessimistic and somber, and both have a specific woman many of the songs are dedicated to. Daley dedicates much of God Loves Ugly to a woman named Lucy, and Oberst speaks of a woman named Arienette.


This is a fan made video for "Calendar Hung Itself"

Rhymes: #7 Greatest Album of All Time: Atmosphere - God Loves Ugly

Yeah it's been a long ass time since I've done one of these posts, so I'm going to finally finish the countdown this month.

"You're so ugly. You're so ugly."
Those are the opening words to one of the most influential albums of my life. God Loves Ugly, a curious album title, for a curious hip hop duo. My first time hearing Atmosphere was "Lovelife" on some Pandora type website back in 2004. Sean and Anthony have since become one of my favorite musical acts.

But it all started with this 18 piece masterpiece. I was 15, I had never heard anything like Mr. Daley's abstract, emotional approach to rapping. Sure the battle raps are there (Onemosphere, Give Me, etc) but songs with such pain and vivid imagery, such as "F#&% You Lucy" and "A Girl Named Hope", this album was way over my head, and I wasnt ready for an album of this nature quite yet.

Years passed and I heard an Atmosphere song here and there, but one day once again my curiosity got the best of me, so I decided to revisit GLU. Once again, it wasn't the masterpiece that I had heard it hyped up to be. But a couple weeks passed, and my Junior prom came and went, and my date who I was currently crushing on, had just gotten a new boyfriend and I had felt something I had never felt before. Then "F&%# You Lucy" came on shuffle on my 2GB iPod nano, and all those emotions that I couldnt relate upon my first hearing of the album, all connected with me in a way that is beyond dope beats and clever lyrics.


Here is a live performance of "F#*$ You Lucy" I thought it was important to post a live version of this song because when I went to the atmosphere concert in May, it was one of the most unforgettable musical experiences Ive ever had.

From Dwight Schrute's Beet Farm: Donny Wertz Can Survive

This is pretty much an inside joke, for those who do not know M*ch**l W*rtz, or his family, then you probably wont get it, but it is quite funny nonetheless. It is a parody of A Country Boy Can Survive by Hank Williams Jr. Eric Zirger on Guitar and Dylan Stretchbery on the vocals, both of which appear on my upcoming album (Shameless Plug)

From Dwight Schute's Beet Farm: Amurrikkkuh!

Rhymes: Jay-Z "Empire State of Mind" (Video/ World Series Performance)

The video is beautifully shot, love this song. Easily the best off of the BP3 album.



oh yeah he performed at this little venue, called the fucking world series...

Life: The Swine is Upon Us...

For months the swine flu has been constantly talked about all over the media. We have been warned, and we ignored their warnings... It's upon us now. It has been confirmed (well not confirmed but he's pretty sure) that BRL loyal follower, M*ch**l B*rg*r (name censored for security purposes) has been stricken with the sickness. WE DIDN'T LISTEN!!!

Rhymes & Life: RIP Jam Master Jay

7 years ago to this day, he was murdered in a studio in Queens. He was one of the best DJs to ever do it, he was also a legendary pioneer, and there would've been no Run-DMC if it had not been for this man. RIP.

BRL Update: We're BAAAAAAAAAAAACK!

Yes, my lap top is finally functioning properly. All the functions that it originally had that disappeared for some random reasons are back as well. This is exciting, I have a lot of music and shit to put back on this thing, but good news for my faithful following BRL is back running!

Rhymes: Cunninlynguists "Nothing to Give (ft Club Dub)" (Live Performance)

CunninLynguists - "Nothing to Give (LIVE)" @ QN5 Megashow 2009 from QN5 Music on Vimeo.

This is an amazing performance from CL, backed by a live band they performed their entire 2006 cult-classic, A Piece of Strange in August at the Qn5 Megashow. Here is the only video released (as of now) of that performance. The audio (perfect clarity, which is amazing for a live show on that kind of budget) to this song will be on CL's upcoming release, Strange Journey Vol 2.

Rhymes: Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez

Still no luck on getting the lap top fixed, but here's a vid from Felt (Slug of atmosphere and Murs) thats a few weeks old, but its still enjoyable nonetheless. Get Cake. Get Felt 3 November 17th.

BRL Update

I am very sorry I have not been posting often. This is caused by my many lap top misfortunes (includes a virus not allowing me to use a web browser, two broken chargers, unable to reinstall operating system, and more). Please bear with me in the mean time, try not to go too insane with the lack of Beets in your life.

In other news:
Excellent music is being released tomorrow:
Fashawn - Boy Meets World (Entirely Produced by Exile) is a top conteder thus far with Brother Ali for Album of the Year. It will be released tomorrow.


New CunninLynguists' single was released 7 days ago (my bday), off of their November 2nd release, Strange Journey Vol #2


Scene&Blu released ADayLate&ADollarShort on October 13. This is one of the year's best works as well.


Tomorrow Royce da 5'9"s oft delayed Street Hop will finally be gracing the shelves of BG's Finders tomorrow as well.


And for all of my indie lovers:
Pete York & Scarlette Johanson released a 9 track masterpiece a few weeks back, here is their Ellen performance:

Rhymes and Life: No Homo

This video does raise some good points about homophobia in hip hop. Rappers are trying way too hard to come off as tough guys...nohomo

Rhymes: Vampire Weekend - "Horchata" (New Single)

Here is the first single to Vamp Weekend's upcoming sophomore album, which will be release in January.

Rhymes: The Roots "How I Got Over" (Video)

The Roots "How I Got Over" from Okayplayer on Vimeo.

a great video from the legendary roots crew. How I Got Over is due out in stores 11/17/09.

Rhymes: Vampire Weekend New Album (Tracklist/Cover/Info)

BRL is back (well for now), my computer is messed up, so I'm posting from a computer lab with this urgent news. Vamp Weekend is back!

The new Vampire Weekend album, Contra, will be officially released on January 11th in the UK and January 12th in the US on XL Recordings.

Contra is the band's long-awaited follow-up release to their wildly popular 2008 debut album, Vampire Weekend. The band is easily one of the most popular 'indie' rock-pop bands of the past couple of years; they have skyrocketed to international fame thanks to their unique 'Soweto' style academic pop and a relentless flurry of mainstream media, music blog admiration, endless touring and various appearances on dozens of TV shows (including Saturday Night Live) and radio programs over the past year.

Here's the track listing for Contra:
1. Horchata
2. White Sky
3. Holiday
4. California English
5. Taxi Cab
6. Run
7. Cousins
8. Giving Up The Gun
9. Diplomat's Son
10 I Think Ur A Contra

Swiped from: http://www.indierockcafe.com/2009/09/vampire-weekend-reveal-album-cover-and.html

From Dwight Schrute's Beet Farm: Kanye Interrups Obama!

This video was great, had to post it. Sorry for the lack of stories, but college life is hectic. But I promise you all, once I'm not as busy I will finally finish my top albums list, and have plenty more stories for you to enjoy.

From Dwight Schrute's Beet Farm: Ringo's New Song

God I hate Ringo. LOVE George, John, and Paul. HATE Ringo. Here's a nice video from Family Guy. Good stuff

From Chris Brown's Beat Farm: Hitler Wants OB4CL2 with a T-Shirt!!

From Dwight Schrute's Beet Farm: A Future History Lesson (Qn5)

This video was played before the QN5 Mega show. I greatly regret missing it.

Rhymes: Jay-Z Commercial

I love this commercial, it features all of Jay's covers. Oddly enough his latest album is the only cover not to feature him on the cover. Blueprint 3 comes out september 11th. It has already leaked, but i'm holding out to get BP3 and OB4CL2 on the 11th.

Its been a long time, I shouldnt have left you, with no dope beets to step to...

Sorry loyal readers, it has been a hectic couple of weeks, but no worries i'm all moved in back at BG and got a week and a half of classes under my belt. So expect some more posts...
and with that being said... from Chris Brown's Beat Farm:

From Dwight Schrute's Beet Farm: Lamebook.com

Well I have for quite some time been very anti-websites where people can complain about how unfortunate their lives are (ie: FML.com and textsfromlast.gay). But this site... is like a fun collage of lame people on facebook (kinda like E's the soup for facebook).

This site has done an extraordinary job of displaying all the lameness that plagues our facebook pages, including: constant and pointless status updates, stupid arguments over facebook because of pictures, a person changing their relationship status every two days, and much more...

so here is http://www.lamebook.com , congrats, you have the support of BRL.

From the Houston Texans Sideline: Rexy Back!

This is in no way a reaction to Cutler's poor performance last saturday (come on, its the preseason). I just found this on one of my favorite blogs (Startkyleorton.blogspot.com), and felt the need to post this.

I always loved you Rex (except when you played at Florida (fuck the gators)), in good and in bad. It was tough to see that the bears let you go, but i hope you find your way back onto the field in houston, and throw the ball all over hell. We love you Rex, gone but not forgotten (We love you too Kyle).

From Dwight Schrute's Beet Farm: An Ode to Barney Stinson

This is long overdue, Barney Stinson has been a huge inspiration to BRL for quite sometime, and BRL will now take this time to honor him:




Indeed you are good sir.

Brother Ali - Fresh Air

Finally Brother Ali's first single off of his upcoming album, Us is available.

The mp3 is not available yet, but you can buy it off of iTunes or amazon for 99cents. Us will be released September 22nd!

From Dwight Schrute's Beet Farm: Stewie Griffin is Gay!

The NY Daily News reports:

Seth MacFarlane is finally spilling the secrets of "Family Guy" — including the fact that, yes, baby Stewie is gay.

"We had an episode that went all the way to the script phase in which Stewie does come out,” MacFarlane, the show’s creator, says in the September issue of Playboy magazine. “It had to do with the harassment he took from other kids at school. He ends up going back in time to prevent a passage in Leviticus from being written: ‘Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind. It is an abomination.’

"But we decided it’s better to keep it vague, which makes more sense because he’s a 1-year-old. Ultimately, Stewie will be gay or a very unhappy repressed heterosexual. It also explains why he’s so hellbent on killing [his mother, Lois] and taking over the world: He has a lot of aggression, which comes from confusion and uncertainty about his orientation."

In the issue — on stands tomorrow — MacFarlane also weighs in on why Protestant Lois seems to have a Jewish accent.

"Watch this season!” he says. “Lois finds out she is, in fact, Jewish.”

As for his advice to girls who are like Meg (the nerdy, unpopular sister), the funnyman says, “I guess maybe her parents aren’t as loving as they should be. As a result, I would say, ‘Your parents are a—holes. Get out of the house as soon as you can.”

The hit Fox show, which kicks off its eighth season on Sept. 27, has even generated a spinoff, “The Cleveland Show,” which focuses on main character Peter Griffin’s neighbor pal Cleveland Brown. Fans of the program will be happy to know that there will definitely be some crossover between the two shows.

But how did Cleveland — who some fans consider one of “Family Guy’s” least-interesting characters — score his own series?

“Cleveland is soulful and dimensional,” MacFarlane says. “Maybe he didn’t have enough to do [on “Family Guy”], and as a result, he came off dull. He makes a point of saying that in ‘The Cleveland Show’ pilot: ‘I’m sick of being just an accessory to Peter’s world. I’ve got my own s—t going on.”

Rhymes: What the Ef is a B.o.B (Bobby Ray)?

The second installment of BRL's What the Ef series comes from none other than the ATL. Bobby Ray (aka B.o.B) has been making a name for himself for over a year now appearing on T.I.'s latest album, touring with the likes of Asher Roth and Pac Div, and appearing on XXL's freshman 10 last year. His upcoming album, Adventures of Bobby Ray boasts the amazing single, "I'll Be in the Sky". Bobby Ray is probably the most talented member from the Freshman 10, as he can rap/sing/play guitar/piano and more. He has gotten comparisons to Andre 3000, and the video below is why i think he's gponna be a star very soon...


Also here is a link to the song that he is featured on from Cobro Starship called "The World Will Never Do" its great.
http://usershare.net/yjvz54vrjggp

Rhymes: #8 Greatest Album of All Time: Radiohead "In Rainbows"

This album was released out of nowhere on October 10, 2007 digitally. Thom and the boys didn't inform the public that they had finished their first album in 4 years until a week before its release. And after that the internet went NUTS. Everywhere I looked I saw nothing but Radiohead this and Radiohead that. Up until that all I knew about Radiohead was that Kanye,Lupe,&Pharell rapped over a song by the lead singer of the band and they did a cameo on South Park.

But on October 12 (My birthday), that all changed. Curiousity got the best of me, I donwloaded the album for free, and it was...different. It was so unlike any music I had ever heard, it was short so I listened to it again, then again, then I finally got it. In Rainbows is the most beautiful album I've ever heard. It is a Pablo Picasso painting in form of a ten track album.

After loving In Rainbows, I went out and bought 2 other Radiohead albums that also appear on this list (Ok Computer and Kid A), and Thom and the boys became my favorite band.

Here's footage of my first ever concert...

From Lady Gaga's Underpants: Disco Stick.

(if you dont want to hear her talk (who would), fast forward to about 0:59 to see her little surprise)

The international rumor mill is on fire, with the notion that Lady Gaga might be a hermaphrodite. There is an image on the net that seems to show her having a bozacker coming out of her mini-dress. This would definitely affect her allure, but maybe that's not a bad thing. I'm sure there are folks that would like her even more if she was both man and woman. Here is an alleged quote by the one they call Gaga.

"Its not something that I’m ashamed of, just isn’t something that i go around telling everyone. Yes. I have both male and female genitalia, but i consider myself a female. Its just a little bit of a penis and really doesn’t interfere much with my life. the reason I haven’t talked about it is that its not a big deal to me. like come on. its not like we all go around talking about our vags. I think this is a great opportunity to make other multiple gendered people feel more comfortable with their bodies. I’m sexy, I’m hot. i have both a poon and a peener. big f*cking deal.


- L8d Gaga

Rhymes & Life: Feels Like Home vol 1 (Playlist)

This is a playlist I made full of songs about home, that have inspired my next ablum.

1. Ben Gibbard - You Remind Me of Home
2. Dear Juliet - Take Me Away
3. Kanye West - Home (Original Version)
4. Nina Simone - I'm Going Back Home
5. Norah Jones - The Long Way Home
6. Bob Dylan - House of the Rising Sun
7. Nirvana - Sliver
8. Sage Francis - Keep Moving
9. Audioslave - Like a Stone
10. Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young - Ohio
11. Bowling for Soup - Ohio (Come Back to Texas)
12. M.Ward & Zooey Deschanel - Bring it Back Home
13. Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone
14. Feist & Ben Gibbard - Train Song
15. Atmosphere - Always Coming Back Home to You (Acoustic)

From the Local Family Video: Stupid Movie Night vol #3

It has been a while since we've had a stupid movie night, but last night was one for the ages. Ski, Craig, Smorz, Kimmy, and I all went to Family Video and we came across a wonderful independent film titled, The Cook.


The Cook is your basic slasher film, where the Hungarian Cook (or as the characters referred to him in movie, Hungry Cook)murders members of a sororiety who stayed in the house over spring break. Initially this movie strives in excellence as it has all of the prerequisites to a SMN classic, pointless nudity, piss poor dialogue, awkward camera angles, low quality camera, and just atrocious acting.

The Cook goes above and beyond though, in addition to the aforementioned prerequisites listed, the film includes several lesbian scenes, a nice little scene where it references Holloween 4: The Final Chapter, brilliant one liners that will likely be repeated by viewers on a regular basis (ie: I AM COOK!!), and realistic violence and gore, which is sure to make your stomach turn a little.

This movie was very difficult to rate because initially it checks out in everything that makes a stupid movie, but questions are raised as to whether or not it was intentionally bad or not and whether or not that should affect the rating system of SMN. We believe that this movie is intentionally a comedy/gore film, but we decided to not let this affect its rating, as it is essentially a stupid movie. The ending, however is a little disappointing, but the cut outs and extras that play during the credits are pretty funny.

SMN Rating : 8.5/10

Rhymes: Songs for the Walk Home EP (Free Download)

This is my new EP, Songs for the Walk Home. It consists of 3 new songs that will appear on my upcoming album, A Dorm is Not a Home, which will be released in winter 2010. It also includes the original version of "A Song for the walk Home", which i posted the music video to back in May.

Download Here: http://usershare.net/08pmkdbwmg8i

also more information on my music go to: www.myspace.com/gooseohio
www.soundclick.com/gooseohio and www.twitter.com/goose96

Feist + Ben Gibbard - "Train Song"

This song is amazing, it is a cover done by Ben Gibbard (of Death Cab for Cutie) and Feist. It is from a compilation featuring 31 tracks (mostly covers I believe), titled Dark was the Night, which was released last February.

Rhymes: Brother Ali "Us" (Video)

Brother Ali's 3rd album, Us is due out September 22!


TRACK LISTING;
1. Brothers and Sisters feat. Chuck D. & Stokley Williams
2. The Preacher
3. Crown Jewel
4. House Keys
5. Fresh Air
6. Tight Rope
7. Breakin' Dawn
8. The Travelers
9. Babygirl
10. 'Round Here
11. Bad Mufucker Pt. II
12. Best@it feat. Freeway & Joell Ortiz
13. Games
14. Slippin' Away
15. You Say (Puppy Love)
16. US feat. Stokley Williams

Life: SHARK WEEK!!!

Finally the best time of the year is upon us, Dicovery Channel's shark week. Here is a short clip of what you can expect from this phenominal programming:

From Dwight Schrute's Sheet Music: Fiery Furnaces release "Silent" album

It seems like every other Fiery Furnaces album is based on some wacky idea possibly conceived while drunk: "Let's get grandma to sing on our album!" or "Let's cover the album we just put out-- twice!" And now there's a new one: "Let's just put out sheet music then get fans to play said sheet music at shows!"

Such is the concept for an upcoming Fiery Furnaces "release" called Silent Record, according to a post on their website. "Since bands can no longer sell audio, FF decline to provide it," it says.

Could this be the new business model the music industry is desperate for?! Can actual mortals play any of Matt Friedberger's compositions?! What would John Cage do?! Etc.

"Because file-sharing, or downloading, or whatever, has notoriously, or supposedly, made the production of the conventional 'with-audio' record obsolete, the Fiery Furnaces will release a Silent Record," goes the characteristically verbose post. Read the rest below:

The Fiery Furnaces' next album will consist of instruction, conventional music notation, graphic music notation, reports and illustrations of previous hypothetical performances, reports and illustrations of hypothetical performances previous to the formation of their hypotheses, guidelines for the fabrication of semi-automatic machine rock, memoranda to the nonexistent Central Committee of the Fiery-Furnaces-in-Exile concerning the non-creation of situations, Relevant to Progressive Rock Division, conceptual constellations on a so-to-speak black cloth firmament, and other items that have nothing to do with the price of eggs, or milk, or whatever the proverbial expression ceased to be.

In other words, a Silent Record. You will note that there have been countless Anticipatory Plagiarisms of this endeavor. For instance, more than a millennium of sheet music. We hope to have learned from their numerous mistakes.

Upon release of the record, the band will organize a series of Fan-Band concerts, in which groups of perfectly ordinary Fiery Furnaces' fans will perform, interpret, contradict, ignore, and so on, the compositions that make up Silent Record. Write to thefieryfurnacesemail@gmail.com to nominate your post office break room, truck stop parking lot, municipal arts center, local tavern, or what-its-name to host one of these 'happenings'. By 'happenings' I mean, what will be in the future, perfectly normal rock shows. And propose yourself for Fan Band participation.

No experience necessary.

(Swiped from Pitchfork.com)

Its been a long time, I shouldnt have left you, with no dope beets to step to...

I took the month of July off from BRL for obvious reasons, I was getting too famous. Now normally this really isn't much of a problem, but in July celebs were dropping left and right, and I wasn't about to be one of them. Here is a list of notable deaths from late June to late July 2009:

June:
23: Ed McMahon, 86, American television host (Star Search) and announcer (The Tonight Show)
25: Farrah Fawcett, 62, American actress (Charlie's Angels), anal cancer.
Michael Jackson, 50, American pop singer–songwriter, cardiac arrest.
28: Billy Mays, 50, American pitchman and television host (Pitchmen), hypertensive heart disease.

July:
4: Allen Klein, 77, American businessman, Beatles and Rolling Stones manager, Alzheimer's disease.
Steve McNair, 36, American football player (Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens), shot.
8: Waldo McBurney, 106, American beekeeper, oldest worker in the United States.
17: Walter Cronkite, 92, American television news anchor, cerebrovascular disease.
23: Danny McBride, 63, American singer-songwriter (Sha Na Na).
31: Baatin, 35, American rapper (Slum Village).

Rhymes: Jay-Z "D.O.A." (Video/Live Performance)

I should be getting ready to leave for Michigan now, but here's the official video to the first single from jay-z's upcoming BP3 (9/11/09).


And here's the live performance of "D.O.A." at the BET Awards, where allegedily jay blackballed BRL's favorite Rhianna abuser, Chris Brown, and kept him from performing in honor of Michael. Add that to more reasons why Sean Carter is awesome.

Rhymes: IGottaStory2Tell

I've said before I dont really like talking about my own music on here, but I'll do it once in a while. Today I finished my "IGottaStory2Tell" album, which I've had in the works for a while. IGottaStory2Tell consists of songs that were left off of my last two albums, City Limits and Nothing Comes Easy. Before I started recording Nothing Comes Easy, I planned on doing an album consisting of nothing but story telling songs, I had quite a few tracks done and quite a few started and unfinished before I came up with the concept for Nothing Comes Easy, which I decided to scrap IGS2T. So here's the album cover and back cover to the album:




http://www.sendspace.com/file/67meyy

And here's the download link, its a .rar file, if you want a physical copy, contact me and you will recieve one July 7th.

Rhymes: #9 Greatest Albums: CunninLynguists "Dirty Acres"

CunninLynguists
Dirty Acres
Released: November 27, 2007
QN5/APOS Music/ Bad Taste Records

Track List:
01. Never (ft. Big Rube)
02. Valley of Death
03. Dirty Acres
04. Kentucky (Interlude)
05. K.K.K.Y.
06. Wonderful (ft. Devin the Dude)
07. Yellow Line (ft. Witchdoctor & Phonte of Little Brother)
08. The Park
09. Summer's Gone
10. They Call Me (Interlude)
11. Gun (ft. Shiesty Khrist)
12. Dance for Me
13. Georgia
14. Things I Dream
15. Mexico (ft. Club Dub)

Music is the cure for anything. Very few artists have the ability to make any situation better just from the sound of their music. I got the pre-order of Dirty Acres that came with a bonus disk with the instrumentals and the cd is signed by the 3 members (Kno, Deacon the Villian, and Natti). Unfortunately the order didnt come on the release date, but it had leaked to the internet. On the night of Thanksgiving, 2007, I caved in and downloaded it. This was during my senior year, and I was going through some hard times at that point, but from the opening pianos and Deacon's crooning "When life is just a memory...", and hearing Big Rube's (the guy who did poetry on Outkast's albums) powerful voice, it lifted me instantly.

After releasing an album like A Piece of Strange (Which is still coming on the countdown...), an artist may struggle at figuring out what to do to follow up. Dirty Acre's is a southern masterpiece, in which may not be better than its predecessor, but certainly more accessible and even more personal. The newest member of the group, Natti, improved phenominally on his second album with the group expecially with verses like his one from "Georgia". Deacon's singing on the hooks also seemed to be more prominent with great hooks on songs like "Mexico" and "Yellow Lines". Kno's production isn't necessarily better than APOS, but you really cant improve on perfection, you can only continue it, which he does on Dirty Acres. Kno also finds himself on the microphone more times on Dirty Acres than previous records, delievering 16s on "Georgia", "Gun", and the most impressive, the shockingly personal "Things I Dream" where he says "If you knew where my head is, when I'm doing these records, you would never listen to my music again..."

With this 2007 effort, the 'Lynguists established themselves as my favorite artists and the still hold that title today. This album is flawless all the way through with maybe the exception of the two interludes (they're not as good as they were on APOS) and the almost too mellow, "The Park", but even these would be highlights on several other albums. The climax of the album is after Kno's verse on "Things I Dream" where a vocal sample says "I wanna live a real life, I dont want to dream any longer" then it immediately cuts into the beautiful keys of "Mexico" where Deacon sings on the hook, "I know these dreams are make believe, but I dont think we should let them go...". The emotions evoked on my first listening of this album are indescribable. All music should give people that sort of feeling.

Rhymes: Lupe Fisco's L.A.S.E.R.S. (Manifesto)

Lupe always does something interesting when it comes to his albums, no LupEND, but instead we get Lupe Fiasco's Lasers. We are not losers, we are lasers.

Life: R.I.P. Michael Jackson...

Today one of the greatest were taken from us. Michael Jackson passed away from a heart attack at only the age of 50.

Life & Rhymes: R.I.P. My iTunes...

It was only 4 days ago where my iTunes shut down, and all my music was deleted. Since then, I have been in a heavy state of depression and denial, but now I am proud to say I have moved on, and am ready to restart my iTunes with a clean slate

Rhymes: #10 Greatest Album of All Time: Game Theory by The Roots

The Roots
Game Theory
Released: August 29, 2006
Def Jam

Track List:
1. Dilltastic Vol (Won)derful
2. False Media
3. Game Theory
4. Don't Feel Right
5. In The Music
6. Take It There
7. Baby
8. Here I Come
9. Long Time
10. Livin' In a New World
11. Clock With No Hands
12. Atonement
13. Can't Stop This
iTunes Bonus Track: Bread & Butter

I got this album for my 16th birthday. It came with a bonus t-shirt, that I ordered off of Okayplayer.com. The lead single, "Dont Feel Right" leaked in May and I played it throughout the summer. This is easily my favorite album from hip hop's best band. The North Philly crew brings a much darker tone throughout this ablum, with a heavy rock vibe. Also the group's emcee, Black Thought, delivers his most personal rhymes on standout tracks like "Clock With No Hands". The album also touches on many political issues including Hurricane Katrina. The album opens and closes with tributes to the late producer, J Dilla, who died earlier that year, including the phenominal "Can't Stop This" using a beat from J Dilla's Donuts album.

Rhymes: Patrick Stump "Love Lockdown" x KanyeWest Single Art Work

Love lockdown is totally a rock song that was begging for some emo band to cover. Fall Out Boy isn't the most popular band, but I think most of their hate is unjustified, I really like Stump, and this cover is excellent.

Also I was browsing Wikipedia, like I've Been known to do, and I came across the album art for the singles from 808s & Heartbreak, they are excellent i will share...


808s & Heartbreak Cover


808s & Heartbreak Exclusive iTunes Cover Done By KAWS


"Love Lockdown" Single Cover


"Heartless" Single Cover


"Amazing" Single Cover


and my favorite: "Paranoid" Single Cover

Life: An Ode to Sir Outlaw...

My former classmat/friend/fellow projector/ fellow blogger, Austin James "Bo Outlaw" M*ss (Censored for Security Reasons) went away to training for the US Marines Corps around May 20. I am going to take this post to write a few words for him...

Bear
Cheese
Sweat
Axe (The tool, not the pussy body spray)
America
Boots
Cameoflague
Guns
Wood
Heights
Beard
Grizz
Hair
Bacon
Sleeveless Shirts
Lumps (Large Dumps... not like Lady Lumps)
Blood
Grind
Bravery
Buffet
Motorboats
Freedom
Testostrone
MAN...


BRL would also like to thank Sir Outlaw for his undying allegence to this blog, and would like for all of our readers to investigate the revolution: http://outlawamerica.blogspot.com/

Its been a long time, I shouldnt have left you, with no dope beets to step to...

My appologies for my last departure. I've been keeping busy, a lot of paper work. I also joined a new gym, that's one thing. But seriously, its been a crazy past couple of blogless weeks. Good news though, my poison ivy which at one point was spread to about 45% of my body is starting to clear up, so please dont panic. The beats are back in town!

So did ya miss me?

Rhymes & Life: We Need Rockstars!

We need rockstars! Seriously our generation has been horribly deprived of the drug-addicted, sex inducing, ego driven superstardom of past generations. We may have the internet to thank for this. The millenial generation is a generation full of niches, where pop music is finally taking the fall. Pop music will always be here, but the struggles the music industry have been facing this decade has made the lifespan of a popstar an incredibly short one.

Take for example, Nelly. This man was an icon in the beginning of the decade, but now, only 9 years later, he is almost unrecognizable to young audiences. Nelly's first album, Coutry Grammar released in 2000, has sold over 9 million copies. Each album since then has sold less and less, and last year his release, Brass Knuckles, has only sold 200,000 copies. Nelly was a popstar, not a rockstar. A popstar appears on ET and in gossip magazines, their lifespan in limelight is a short one because they appeal to short-spanned audiences.

With the age of music piracy and ever-declining albums sales, there are very few actual rockstars because most potential rockstars sell out to make a quick buck, which is so not rock and roll. Most rockstars are not household names as they were in the 70s, but they are still out there. This generation is the generation of independence, where the best artists are on indie labels or they release their music themeselves.

MGMT "Kids" Video

I found this on okayplayer.com of all sites. Great video, of course its a little freaky, but afterall, its MGMT.

Rhymes: #20-11 Greatest Albums of All Time

#20) Common - Resurrection
What this album means to me: I bought this album in Tower Records during my freshman trip to Chicago. This album includes one of the best songs I've ever heard, "I Used to Love H.E.R." With excellent production from No I.D., Com gave 1994 the second best album of that year.
Best 3 consecutive Songs: Resurrection, I Used to Love H.E.R., Watermellon

#19) Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
What this album means to me: Raekwon,Ghostface,and RZA all come together to deliever the best album from the WU with Cuban Linx. A perfect summer vibe album which occupied most of my summer 2006, when I first got this album.
Best 3 consecutive songs: Wu Gambinos, Heaven & Hell, North Star

#18) Outkast - Aquemini
What this album means to me: Arguably 'Kast's best album, and the peak of Andre 3000's lyrical ability. It took me a while to appriciate this album because it was so much different than ATLiens, but during the fall 2008, it finally grew on me.
Best 3 consecutive songs: Skew it on the Bar-B, Aquemini, Synthesizer

#17) Radiohead - OK Computer
What this album means to me: Critically acclaimed, and considered one of the 90s best offerings, there is little to be said about OK Computer that hasn't already been said. I bought this album in the height of my Radiohead obsession which took part from the fall of 07 to the summer 08. I bought this a couple months after I had gotten Kid A, which I didnt like much at the time.
Best 3 consecutive songs: Exit Music (For a Film), Let Down, Karma Police

#16) Blu & Exile - Below the Heavens
What this album means to me: Two no names put together one of the best debut albums in the decade. After being constantly praised on Okayplayer.com, I decided to give it a chance, I downloaded the Advance version of the album. Initially I thought the album was ok, but was overrated. Then I realized the version of the album I had was not the retail version, so I downloaded it again, and the sequencing and removal of two songs turned a good album into a classic. Blu is witty, funny, clever, personal, and insightful in his 2007 debut. Many of his songs helped me through my senior year in high school.
Best 3 consecutive Songs: First Things First, No Greater Love, Show Me the Good Life

#15) Common - Be
What this album means to me: This is the quitesential summer album. Summer 2005 this album did not leave my CD player. I've played this album front to back so many times, the vibes are incredible. Kanye and J Dilla laid the perfect landscape for the summer and Common knocked it out the park from the intro to Its Your World.
Best 3 consecutive songs: Love Is..., Chi-City, The Food (Live)

#14) Nas - Stillmatic
What this album means to me: This album, known to many as his come back album,was my introduction to Nas. I didnt actually get this album until 2005, but One Mic was the first song I've ever heard from Mr. Jones, and he is definitely in my top 5 emcees.
Best 3 consecutive songs: My Country, What Goes Around (Poison), Every Ghetto

#13) Outkast - ATLiens
What this album means to me: I got this album during the final days of my junior year, and played it constantly throughout the summer. One of my favorite intros ever "You May Die" is as beautiful as the first day of summer and the last song on the album, "13th Floor/ Growing Old" Feels like the last day of summer.
Best 3 consecutive songs: Millenium, E.T., 13th Floor/Growing Old

#12) Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
What this album means to me: This 5 track album is easily the most coheisive album on this list, where the 5 tracks feel more like one. This is my favorite album from Pink Floyd, who is my favorite band from the 70s. Also the title track is probably one of my favorite rock songs of all time.
Best 3 consecutive songs: Have a Cigar, Wish You Were Here, Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts iv-ix)

#11) Royce Da 5'9" - Death is Certain
What this album means to me: This album dominated my freshman year of high school, which I guess you call the height of my teen age aingst. This album is so dark and personal, Detroit's best emcee was severly depressed during the writing of this album, which he recorded in the very late nights, which kind of sets the dark mood for the record. With most of the production handled by 6 July, who worked with Biggie during his Life After Death album, its evident Royce was almost channelling Big and Pac during this ominous album. This also is one of the best sequenced and coheisive albums I have ever heard.
Best 3 consecutive songs: Everybody Goes, Death is Certain Pt 2 (It Hurts), Somethings Wrong With Him