My Favorities of 2008

Before we get started let me get a few things out of the way first. This is no way a BEST of 2008 list. As I've been doing for the past 5 years, these are my favorite tracks of 2008. The year started out a bit slow but picked up immensely. It was becoming difficult to list just 100 so I decided for the first time ever I'd create a list of 200 tracks. 2008 was a lot better than some of you realize.

As far as the criteria went, I do realize a lot of these tracks may have leaked a bit premature to the new year. I tried to stay away from unofficial remixes, mixtape tracks, freestyles or anything I felt wasn't a "real" joint. Though I'm sure some may have slipped through. I did include the AmpLive "Radiohead" remixes that I really enjoyed.

You'll see a lot of artists duplicate. I suppose that explains why those artists were also responsible for this years best LPs; like Scarface, The Roots, Atmosphere, Prodigy, Reks or Killer Mike.

Some rappers stayed busy this year like Lil Wayne, Elzhi, Z-Ro or most recently Freeway with his Month of Madness. So it should come as no surprise why they also made the list a lot.

You'll also notice I have something of a man crush on Blu. He is by far my favorite new rapper and my pick for rapper of the year. Despite having one of the best albums of 2007 with "Below The Heavens" I felt 2008 was really the year Blu came into his own.

Ok, ok, ok (yes Joe Pesci) before we get to the list just remember these are my favorites. I don't claim to have the best taste or the most knowledge. I'm not all about the blogs, Myspace or whatever a lot of you peep the latest joints and I don't listen to the radio at all. These tracks are what I like and hopefully it'll open some of you up to some of the dopest joints of '08.

Philaflava's 200 Favorite Tracks of 2008

2Face (L-Swift & A-Butta) - Howard Sturn
50 Cent - The Mechanic feat. Tony Yayo
8thW1 - A Fool's Lullaby (Could It Be)
8thW1 - Peace feat. Fresh Daily & Silent Knight
A.B.N. - I Miss My Dawgs
A.B.N. - Rain
A.B.N. - Umm Hmm
AmpLive - Nudez feat. Too $hort & MC Zumbi
AmpLive - Video Tapez feat. Del the Funky Homosapien
Atmopshere - The Waitress
Atmopshere - Yesterday
Atmosphere - Carry Me Home
Atmosphere - Painting
Atmosphere - Your Glass House
AZ - Dead End
B.O.B. - I'm That Nigga feat. T.I.
Big Boi - Royal Flush feat. Andre & Raekwon
Billy Danze - I'ma Kill Ya
Billy Danze - Savages
Bishop Lamont - Grow Up
Bishop Lamont - Right
Black Element - Human
Black Milk - The Matrix feat. Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price & DJ Premier
Blu - Glory Us
Braille - The IV feat. Rob Swift
Buckshot & 9th Wonder - Ready (Brand New Day)
Buff 1 - Classic Rap
Bun B - Damn I'm Cold feat. Lil Wayne
Bun B - You're Everything feat. Rick Ross, David Banner, 8Ball & MJG
C.R.A.C. (Blu & Ta'Raach) - Respect
Camp Lo - Lumdi
Co$$ - Angelic feat. Blu
Connie Price and The Keystones - Across The Board feat. Big Daddy Kane
Cormega - Fresh feat. DJ Red Alert, PMD, Grand Puba, Big Daddy Kane & KRS-ONE
Cormega - Who Am I feat. AZ & Nature
CurT@!n$ - Rebel
Dagha - Scat
David Banner - Suicide Doors feat. Pimp C & Young Dro
Dela - Vibrate feat. Blu
DJ Babu - Dearly Departed feat. M.O.P.
DJ Babu - The Unexpected feat. MF Doom & Sean Price
DJ Benzi - 2nd Time feat. Wale & Brother Ali
DJ Cadik - Keep It Real feat. Phat Kat & Elzhi
DJ Muggs & Planet Asia - Pain Language
DJ Rerok - The Corner feat. DV Alias Khryst, Ras Kass, Doo Wop & Termanology
DJ Revolution - The DJ feat. KRS-ONE
DJ Wich - Classic feat. M.O.P.
Dr. Dooom - Do Not Disturb
Elzhi - Guessing Game
Elzhi - Motown 25 feat. Royce 5'9
Elzhi - Talkin' In My Sleep
Elzhi - That's The One
eMC - Git Some feat. Sean Price
EPMD - Blow
EPMD - What You Talkin' feat. Havoc
Erykah Badu - The Healer (Remix) feat. Pharoahe Monch
Fat Joe - My Conscience feat. KRS-ONE
Fat Joe - That White
Fat Ray & Black Milk - Get Focus feat. Phat Kat & Elzhi
Freeway - Everlast
Freeway - Street Music
Freeway - Tell U Something
Guilty Simpson - Run feat. Sean Price & Black Milk
G-Unit - You So Tough
GZA - Columbian Ties feat. True Master
Heliocentrics - Distant Star feat. MF Doom & Percee P
Heltah Skeltah - Hell'z Kitchen
Heltah Skeltah - The Art Of Disrespekinazation
Heltah Skeltah - W.M.D. feat. Smif N Wessun
Hired Gun - Arrest the President
Homebwoi - It's Just Me
Homebwoi - Magnificent
Ice Cube - Gangsta Rap (Remix) feat. Scarface & Nas
Ill Bill - Society Is Brainwashed
Illa J - All Good
Jadakiss - Death Wish feat. Lil Wayne
Jadakiss - From Then To Now
Jake One - The Truth feat. Freeway & Brother Ali
Jake One - Trap Door feat. MF Doom
Jay Electronica - Exhibit A (Transformations)
Jay-Z - Jockin' Jay-Z
Jeff Johnson - Sarah Palin Got Good Pussy
J-Live - The Understanding
J-Live - The Upgrade feat. Oddisee & Posdnous
Joe Budden - Slaughterhouse feat. Joell Ortiz, Nino Bless, Crooked I & Royce Da 5'9
Joe Budden - Who
John Brown - Sarah Palin (I Wanna Lay Pipe)
Johnson & Jonson - Hold On John
Johnson & Jonson - The Only Way
Kam Moye (Supastition) - Welcome To My Life
Keelay and Zaire - The Times feat. Blu, Fortilive and Nino Moschella
Keith Murray - Def Squad feat. Erick Sermon & Redman
Kidz In The Hall - Drivin' Down The Block (El-P Remix) feat. El-P, Pusha T & The Cool Kids
Killah Priest & Chief Kamachi - Illest feat. Planet Asia & DJ Rhettmatic
Killer Mike - 10 G's
Killer Mike - God In The Building
Killer Mike - Good-Bye (City of Dope)
Killer Mike - Pressure feat. Ice Cube
Killer Mike - Super Clean/Super Hard feat. 8Ball & MJG
Kool Keith - Supa Supa Supreme (Larry Hutch Remix)
Kurious Jorge - From Up Under feat. Max B
Large Professor - The Entrance
Lil Wayne - Dr. Carter
Lil Wayne - Let The Beat Build
Lil Wayne - Lollipop (Remix) feat. Kanye West
Lil Wayne - Mr. Carter feat. Jay-Z
Lil Wayne - Nothin’ On Me feat. Juelz Santana & Fabolous
Little Brother - Best Kept Secret feat. Legacy
Lone Cataylsts - Hit The Studio (Dead The Afterparty)
Ludacris - Last Of A Dying Breed feat. Lil Wayne
Ludacris - MVP
Maxillia Blue - easyflowgoodflowbadflowinthewater
Maylay Sparks - Absynth feat. Reef The Lost Cauze
Maylay Sparks - Million Words
MJG - Small Town Girl
Mr. Live - Fallen Rain
Murs - And I Love It
Murs - Can It Be (Half A Million Dollars and 18 Months Later)
Murs - The Science
Nas - Esco Let's Go
Nas - Hero
Nas - Queens Get The Money
New Jack Hustle - Inglewood
NYGz - Ya Dayz R #'D (Remix) feat. Lady Of Rage, Freddie Foxxx & Royce 5'9"
O.C. & A.G. - Time Travel
Panacea - Voyagers
Peedi Crakk - Brand New Start
People Under The Stairs - Step Bacc
Phonte - Let It Be Known feat. Sean Price
Plies - Family Straight
Praverb - The King
Presto - Conquer Mentally (Large Pro remix) feat. Sadat X, O.C. & Large Professor
Presto - Pour Another Glass feat. Blu
Prodigy - Catch Body Music
Prodigy - P Keep Spittin
Prodigy - The Dough
Prodigy - Veterans Memorial Part 2
Promise - Change feat. Kam Moye, Probz & Royce Da 5'9
Q-Tip - Getting' Up (Remix) feat. Camp Lo
Q-Tip - Move
Raekwon - Jihad feat. Ghostface Killah
Rahsaan - Sneaker Store Terrorist
Rashid Hadee - Explode
Reef The Lost Cauze - Afghan Green
Reks - All In One (5 Mics) feat. Lil Fame
Reks - Cloud 9
Reks - Say Goodnight
Reks - Stages
Royce Da 5'9 - Shake This
RZA - You Can't Stop Me Now feat. Inspectah Deck
S.L. Jones - So Sincerious
Saigon - Believe It
San Quinn - Devotion feat. Too Short, Mistah F.A.B.& Chops
Scarface - Emeritus
Scarface - Forgot About Me feat. Bun B & Lil Wayne
Scarface - High Note
Scarface - Soldier Story feat. The Product & Z-Ro
Scarface - Who Are They feat. Slim Thug & K-Rino
Shawn Anthony - Beautiful Life
Shawn Jackson - Feelin' Jack
Shaya - Industry Life
Sheek Louch - Good Love
Skillz - Hold Tight feat. Black Thought
Slaughterhouse - Onslaught
Slim Thug - Bitch I'm Back feat. Devin The Dude
Slim Thug - My Life feat. Chamillionaire & Trae
Smoothe Da Hustler - Rap Game feat. Trigger Tha Gambler
Soul Cannon - Hands High
Souls of Mischief - Tour Stories
Styles P - Blow Your Mind (Remix) feat. Jadakiss & Sheek Louch
Supastition - Bad Blood
T.I. - I'm Illy
T.I. - Swagger Like Us feat. Kanye West, Jay-Z & Lil' Wayne
Talib Kweli - Hostile Gospel (Remix) feat. Nina Sky, Joell Ortiz & Blu
Tame One - Catch Me feat. Del The Funky Homosapien
Tame One - Haha Da Rah Rah feat. Sean Price
Tech N9ne - Blackboy feat. Brother J, Ice Cube & Krizz Kaliko
Termanology - How We Rock feat. Bun B
The Alchemist - Lose Your Life feat. Jadakiss, Snoop Dogg & Pusha T
The Alchemist - Therapy feat. Evidence, Blu, & Kid Cudi
The Game - Game's Pain (Remix) feat. Jadakiss, Bun B, Fat Joe, Young Buck & Keyshia Cole
The Game - My Life feat. Lil Wayne
The LOX - It's Like That
The P Brothers - Cold World feat. Boss Money
The P. Brothers - Blam Blam For Nottingham feat. Boss Money
The P. Brothers - Caviar feat. Roc Marciano
The Roots - Criminal feat. Truck North & Saigon
The Roots - Get Busy feat. Peedi Crakk, Dice Raw & DJ Jazzy Jeff
The Roots - Rising Down feat. Mos Def & Styles P
The Roots - Rising Up feat. Wale & Chrisette Michele
The Terriorists - Build It From Scratch feat. Skydro And Justice
Theo - Sweetest Language
TiRon - Quitter feat. Tunji of Inverse & Ayomari
Truck North - Flyer Than The Rest feat. Wale
Truck North - What It Has 2 Be feat. Roscoe P. Coldchain
Young Blood - There Will Be Be Blood
Young Jeezy - My President feat. Nas
Young Jeezy - Put On (Remix) feat. Jay-Z
Young Jeezy - Word Play
Z-Ro - Made


Philaflava's 15 Favorite Tracks of 2008.

1. Reks - Say Goodnight
2. The Roots - Get Busy feat. Dice Raw, Peedi Crakk & DJ Jazzy Jeff
3. Johnson & Jonson - Hold On John
4. Big Boi - Royal Flush feat. Andre & Raekwon
5. Atmosphere - The Waitress
6. The Roots - Rising Down feat. Mos Def & Styles P
7. Elzhi - That's The One
8. Lil Wayne - Mr. Carter feat. Jay-Z
9. Reks - Stages
10. Shawn Jackson - Feelin' Jack
11. Prodigy - Catch Body Music
12. Fat Joe - That White
13. Atmosphere - Yesterday
14. Scarface - Soldier Story feat. The Product & Z-Ro
15. Elzhi - Talkin' In My Sleep


Philaflava's 10 Favorite Rappers of 2008.

1. Blu
2. Elzhi
3. Lil Wayne
4. Joe Budden
5. Reks
6. Black Thought
7. Killer Mike
8. Prodigy
9. Slug
10. Royce Da 5'9

Philaflava's 10 Favorite LP's 2008

1. The Roots - Rising Down
2. Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons You Paint That Shit Gold
3. Scarface - Emeritus
4. Lil Wayne - The Carter III
5. Killer Mike - I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II
6. P Brothers - The Gas
7. Young Jeezy - The Recession
8. Reks - Grey Hairs
9. Heltah Skeltah - D.I.R.T.
10. A.B.N. - It Is What It Is

10 Types of Drivers I Hate

10. The old driver

I'm more sympathetic than most because I guess my grandparents were once old drivers too. But as I get older and time becomes an issue I am starting to find myself wanting to pull a Joe Pesci and put a bat to their heads. I blame the DMV because there is no way most of these old prunes should still be on the road. Last month I saw a cop pulled one over for driving TOO SLOW. Please stay retired and sit in your clubhouse playing bingo. Stay off the road!

09. The won't let you cut-in driver

These people hate life so much. They are in no rush to go anywhere but they refuse to allow you to get over because for that few seconds its the only time they feel powerful. Sometimes I wish cars had an option for defense bumpers (like bumper cars) where we could just knock these guys off the road. I'm not talking about being that arrogant driver who's constantly swerving in and out of lanes to advance, I'm taking about when you need to crossover to get on to the highway or when you meant to merge to make that turn and didn't realize it so you only have 10 seconds to get over and this cockblocker won't let you. Fuck that cockblocker.

08. The mid-life crisis driver

Great you just bought a Carrera and now you think you're big shit. Your wife probably divorced you, took half your money and now you're living in a 1 bedroom and the only way you could justify living is to finally lease that Porsche you've always wanted to. Your wife still has the money, house, the kids and is probably fucking more guys since the divorce than she did her entire life. Congrats you winner!

07. The Herbalife driver

I don't knock people trying to hustle but it seems like the Herbalife sellers use every inch of their window as a driving billboard for some shitty pyramid program that never made anyone but the owner of Herbalife rich. 9/10 times it's a middle aged woman who is driving this car. And like the mid-life crisis driver, this woman was probably left by her husband for a younger broad. This driver has let herself go significantly while packing on a good 30lbs since the divorce. She wears an overwhelming amount of MAC make-up and immediately logs into some online dating service once she gets home after driving to other divorcees homes throughout the day to sell this scam.

06. The bumper sticker driver

It's an eye-sore to see a car with so many bumper stickers and most of them are either extremely unfunny, played or weathered to where you can't even make them out. The other day I saw a car that had the following groups as bumper stickers; Limp Bizkit, Stain, NOFX and Marilyn Manson. Your car looks like a mobile Hot Topics. Go someplace and die you faggot.

05. Got Jesus drivers

Listen you simpleminded fuck, keep your religion to yourself. Your car is not owned by Clear Channel so kill the billboard bullshit for the man upstairs. It's bad enough we've had a fundamentalist run and ruin our country for the past 8 years, I don't need to be reminded of it every time I'm driving to work.

04. My child is on the honor roll driver

That's right be proud of your limp-wrist child who is achieving 2nd grade reading at age 7 while the rest of the world has already completed 4th grade reading at that age. Your child will either grow up to be a fruit or grow up to hate you, take your pick. Let's see how proud you'll be then bitches.

03. The played out radio tune driver

First off can we all agree there should be a music statues of limitations on popular tunes? When I see a kid with all 4 windows and sunroof down while blasting Dre's "Next Episode" or "Party Up" by DMX I cringe. Those are tracks that should only be played in the privacy of your own home or in your headphones. It's also perfectly acceptable to enjoy that track in the company of your drunken friends but when you're solo crusin' for some looks that is not the track you need to be playing. Not in 2008 holmes.

02. The Po-po driver

Too easy right? I hate cops on the road cuz they slow down the traffic and they know it. There is no in between for them, either they cruise at the speed limit which makes everyone bitch up and drive like fairies or they go 15-12 MPH over the speed limit because they can. I hate when they throw on their lights just to bypass a red light. I hate everything about a cop on the road. They serve no purpose and are wasting tax payers money. People will always drive fast. People will always get into accidents. Cops need to be doing something better than making me late for dinner just because they got another 12 hours to kill on the clock. You probably see it different but I think cops abuse their powers the most when they're on the road.

01. The W. sticker driver

So you mean to tell me for the past 4-5 years you haven't found the time to remove that George W. sticker you put on your car for the world to see just how much of a fucking moron you are? When I see these drivers I get road rage for no other reason than this clown must actually be happy with their decision. I don't know whether to throw coins at the car or hock a loogie, I just know those are usually the first things that come to mind. And it's usually one of the three; borderline upper/middle class corporate America executive hack, redneck truckers or extreme Jesus freaks from a 3rd world country who hates 99.9% of the time hates African Americans and Jew but them some Hayzos.

Phila's Fifteen Things That Need To Disappear In Hip-Hop

Phila's Fifteen Things That Need To Disappear In Hip-Hop

15. Overpriced vinyl records

I appreciate the music One Leg Records puts out, but these extortionists charge $80 and upwards for one piece of vinyl which to me is absurd. Most of the releases are obscure or unreleased material from the 90's from artists who are more than likely collecting unemployment today, yet these have the audacity to demand more than a fair price to release their material. I've heard stories where certain artists demand $20,000 for just a few tracks. These artists are c-level guys that never really made much noise when they were in the game, but now become desperate and demand more than their value. If this label sells 500 pieces of vinyl for $80 apiece that $40,000 and after expensive that's $39,200 profit.

I'm all for vinyl collecting because I continue to do it despite the increases due to production, demand and of course oil prices, but there is a point where smarts must intervene. If you drop $80+ on a brand new record (usually EP), you either are filthy rich are extremely stupid.

14. Asher Roth

No thank you buddy. I've seen my fair share of geeky Jewish rappers in the game and I rather not see many more. Asher needs to be brutally ganged rapped by Verne Schillinger and company. I'll take John Brown all day over this Abercrombie & Bitch.

13. 99.9% of Blogs

Let's cut the shit, there are only a handful of worthy blogs out there. Most of them are just carbon copies and are becoming a waste of time because they all post the same shit they get from the feeds. If one blog gets an exclusive within 15 minutes the other billion blogs link it as well. Blogging is cool, but if you aren't bringing something new to the table just stay on the sidelines. Just because you have a computer and it takes two minutes to set up a Blogger.com account doesn't mean you should. Stay in your lane guys.

12. Political rap

I love me some Paris. I think The Coup is great, but can we just stop with the political shit for awhile? It died down for a minute and now that it's an election year it seems to be popping up again. Lif, Immortal Tech, Dead Prez are talented but no more NWO talks. No more Bush Admin and please save me the William Cooper raps. I don't care anymore. We're in a recession and we had 8 years of George W. Can we just realize things have been fucked and talk about something that isn't shoved in our face every time we read a newspaper, listen to NPR or turn on the news? Rap about, I don't know rapping? Rap about food--ziti is making a big comeback. Rap about Megan Good. Rap about wack rappers again. Just leave the political shit alone for awhile.

11. Copywrite

I don't hate the man, I just wish after all those beatings he took he'd know enough to just stay away. How can anyone take this guy seriously? He's still doing that battle rap shit like it's the 90's again. I hate to say it we're about to be in 2010 and NONE wanna hear Copywrite talk about how rough, rugged and raw he is. Off-topic, LMAO @ the Roc-A-Fella rumor from years back.

10. Chino XL, Ras Kass, fill in the _______ type rappers.

We believed in you. We really did, but you failed us numerous times and it ain't 1996 anymore. Leave rap alone the game doesn't need you.

09. DJ Khaled

Unless he becomes talented in the next year, can somebody tell me why this fat towel head is so popular? Call me a hater, call me whatever but DJ Khaled easily takes the crown as the most annoying Rap personality of the new Millennium. He doesn't even produce his own records. I used to think Clue was annoying with all that yelling on his mixtapes but I have grown to appreciate, respect and MISS DJ Clue since Khaled jumped on the scene. Nobody likes him in Florida, which means he's the our version of Termanology.

08. Collabos with pop artists

I'll look the other way if somebody wants to do a collabo with Mr. Timberlake because "My Love" was fucking great, but when I see Jadakiss doing shit with Paris Hilton or Brook Hogan I wanna throw up. I know it's just a check. It's no different from Royce Da 5'9 doing shit with Willa Ford but can we please get some morals? Most of you rappers have tons of opportunity to make money if you're popular like Jadakiss or Fat Joe. I'm still recovering from the M.O.P and LFO collabo. Just stop it guys!

07. Common

Do I even need to list a reasons?

06. Paying for digital downloads

I get why iTunes is a success (White America), but the hip-hop world is trying to reproduce that shit knowing their demographic is the one that downloads more than any other. I still go out and buy music on Tuesdays but I refuse to pay for something that isn't a produced product. I want artwork. A CD case and a real CD. I enjoy the feeling of ripping the plastic wrap off and throwing the CD in my player. I like the way my CD shelves look and look forward to adding to my collection with each purchase. But why am I gonna buy a MP3 for $0.99 when or a full album for $9.99 when I can just buy the actual CD and burn it myself and create all the MP3s I want from it? Why would I pay for MP3s when they're available in seconds with the help of Share Miner or Google? Is it right? Nah, probably not but neither is selling something that doesn't exist. Support the artists but support the consumer and actually sell them something they can feel (pun).

05. MySpace bulletins

Nobody cares. Stop it you fool. Go outside or go call a friend.

04. Vocoder

Two years is enough of this shit. It was fun while it lasted but no more please. T-Pain, I'm sorry but you'll have to find some other work. May I suggest gay porn since you seem to like boys? The shit needs to come to an end. Kanye is getting WAY out of hand with it and I hate to say it but you all sound like fucking Cher on "I Believe." Be a man. Whatever happened to real rap music where we talked about the NOI and hated on the devil? I want that shit back not this Auto Tune crap.

03. Street Peddlers

I was on 42nd Street in New York this past Sunday while this guy immediately yells for my attention while I'm walking out of the store. He begins to hand me his CD-R and pulls out a Sharpie marker and says let me give you a signed copy. I said, I don't know who you are and I really don't have any interest. He responds "but show me some love?"

What the fuck is up with these high school drop outs trying to hustle their bullshit music on the street to every cracker walking by? My answer is I only have a credit card most of the time and they don't even bother responding. Whether its outside your local music store or just as you're about to hop on the train these creatures are everywhere. Attention all street rappers peddling your CD-R, NOBODY wants it. If you were good you'd be signed or making moves where you wouldn't have to sell your shit to every Tom, Dick and Harry.

02. The Hipster fashions

I blame Kanye, Pharell, Lupe and some sub-underground Urban Outfitters groups like The Cool Kids on these hideous trends but can we stop rocking the SUPER-TIGHT jeans with the Nike dunks and those sun-glasses that you can order from the back of a Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal box? That style is gay and there is no way around it. Just rap and dress like a heterosexual please.

01. Termanology

Let's admit it, it's fun to hate on this dweeb, right? This half French half Puertro Rican Bostionian, who by the way is despised in his own town could really pass for Pedro Zamora (MTV's Real World - San Fran) on most days. The only difference between the two is Pedro died of AIDS and Term still fighting the fight. Pedro had a black boyfriend. Term loves dropping the N-bomb. Puck hated Pedro on the Real World. Most of the Real World hates Term.

Philaflava.com's Exclusive Interview w/Prodigy

Prodigy (of Mobb Deep) who is currently serving a 3 1/2 year bid recorded this interview (conducted by his wife) for exclusively for Philaflava.com. The questions asked came from you, the members of Philaflava. Prodigy has the ability to write blogs for Vibe but he does not have the ability to talk to many people over the phone. We've all been a fan of his blogs for a minute now, but we finally get blessed with hearing what Prodigy really has to say (in audio). Philaflava is for us, by us (no LL).

Both Prodigy and his wife were kind enough to make this happen, so without further ado here it is.

http://www.zshare.net/audio/1542974094d45b30/

Special thanks goes out to the Johnson family and Jackie O.

Why I Hate Nas

I hate Nas because he hasn't made an album that lived up to his potential in exactly 12 years (IWW released July 2, 1996).

I hate Nas because he is so far removed from hip-hop that he refuses to believe the beats he chooses aren't unflattering to say the least.

I hate Nas because he has no concept of adapting to a beat. Jay-Z does this well; think Flip Flop Rock or Hell Yeah. He knows how to adjust where as Nas always sounds extremely uncomfortable. He just doesn't have that ability. Biggie did it the best and Jay studied that. Nas doesn't study. Doesn't try and when he dos we get Who Killed It.

I hate Nas because he still has some good ideas in terms of writing but again his beat selection just ruins it. Unauthorized Biography of Rakim was a great idea on paper, but Nas produced the track and I don't think any of us have cared to listen to it since hearing it for the first time in 2004. On "Untitled" Sly Fox is also a great idea on paper but that beat is extremely awkward for Nas and doesn't work with the concept. Nas is so conflicted he has idiotic reasons that play a role in his album associations. Sly Fox has all the mineral and vitamins but lacks the irons and the niacin. The track falls short; yet I could only imagine if it had a beat like "Ya Dayz R #'d" it would probably be everyone's favorite track of 2008.

I hate Nas because he once gave me a feeling after listening to Illmatic like no other rapper has since. He was my era's Rakim. See to me Rakim is Jordan and there will never be another. He has everything from the verbals to the voice to the story telling and most importantly the catalog. I didn't get to appreciate Ra until the 90's because I was still young so when Nas dropped I was prepped for his greatness.

I hate Nas because despite what many of you will say, he is the most talented lyricist in hip-hop. He has the ability to be the best ever. Yet, I find myself yearly making a statement expressing my disgust for him and his ridiculous career moves. If Rakim is Jordan, Nas would be Kobe, the closest we have yet not even close in reality.

I hate Nas because instead of listening to his albums for an entire summer, I can barely listen to them for entire hour. Untitled, like most of his albums this decade (save maybe Stillmatic) have been an utter waste of time and talent. If you can find one track off of Untitled that would even make it on a list of the 30 best Nas songs I'd would be very surprised. At the end of the day there just isn't anything there. You may force yourself to like what would be considered a mediocre Nas track in the 90's decent today but overall you can't force yourself into really accepting this from a rapper like Nas.

I hate Nas because we beat all the dead horses possible talking about him, still I feel a need to with each failed attempt he delivers.

I hate Nas because he always comes up with a bullshit excuse about not reaching out to Primo or Large P. The only reason Stillmatic was good was because he had Extra P, Primo, L.E.S and the original core team on there. If I, a virtual nobody in this game can communicate with ease with producers such as Buckwild, Large Professor or Easy Moe then Nas certainly can. If not him, his lackey who manages his MySpace. There is NO reason in the world anyone of those producers are unreachable when it comes to Nas. Primo would probably even go to great lengths to help Nas out and all of them would do it out of love. Still, Nas continues to take hand-outs from unpolished producers or producers that do not bring out the best in Nas. Would you rather have an album of Blunt Ashes or an album of You're Da Man?

I hate Nas because Jay-Z won the battle. Even if Jay is bored and hasn't seemed the least bit interested in making a good album in a few, he still won and it pains me because I was always on Team Nas. Nas is better. Much better but until he produces better albums how could anyone argue Jay isn't better?

I hate Nas because after all this bullshit he drops he fucks with our heads and gives us something like "Surviving The Times" which is nowhere to be found on his albums. We know he is capable. We know he still has a few years left. We know he can put together great tracks like Surviving The Times, Can't Forget About You, Thief's Theme or Made U Look. But for some reason somebody told Nas it was a good idea to create embarrassing music that taints whatever legacy he has left with garbage like Sekou Story.

I hate Nas because after I see him again this years at Rock The Bells I'll fall in love again after he does all his older material (he rarely does new shit at shows) and believe he still has it.

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DJ Premier - Instrumental Collection (4cds)

DISC ONE:
1 - Intro - What is Hip-Hop? (Words By DJ Premier)
2 - DJ Premier - True Hip-Hop beat [rare]
3 - Group Home -Unreleased Beat
4 - Group Home - Up Against Da Wall
5 - Gangstarr, Inspectah Deck - Above The Clouds
6 - Gangstarr - Zonin'
7 - Gangstarr - Riot Akt
8 - Gangstarr - The Squeeze
9 - Gangstarr - Who Got Gunz
10 - M.O.P - Click Clap
11 - Afu Ra - Voodoo Child
12 - Bumpy Knuckles - Part Of My Life
13 - Crooklyn Dodgers - The Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers
14 - Gangstarr - All 4 Da Cash
15 - Group Home - Baby Pa
16 - DJ Premier - True Hip-Hop beat [rare]
17 - DJ Premier - True Hip-Hop beat [rare]
18 - Immobilarie - 718
19 - Heather B - Guilty
20 - DJ Premier - True Hip-Hop beat [rare]
21 - DJ Premier - True Hip-Hop beat [rare]
22 - DJ Premier - True Hip-Hop beat [rare]
23 - DJ Premier - True Hip-Hop beat [rare]
24 - DJ Premier - True Hip-Hop beat [rare]
25 - DJ Premier - True Hip-Hop beat [rare]
26 - DJ Premier - True Hip-Hop beat [rare]
27 - DJ Premier - True Hip-Hop beat [rare]
28 - Fat Joe - The **** Is Real (remix)
29 - Bonus Beat! - (By Diamond D) - Stay Tuned For Underground Instrumentals 6!
30 - Bonus Beat! - (By Diamond D) - Stay Tuned For Underground Instrumentals 6!
DISC TWO:
31 - Kool G. Rap - The First *****
32 - Screwball - Seen It All
33 - Afu Ra - Equality
34 - Royce Da 5'9 - Boom
35 - Afu Ra - Defeat
36 - D&D Allstars - 1&2 Pass It
37 - DITC - Thick
38 - Gangstarr - Just 2 Get A Rep
39 - Group Home - Supa Star
40 - Group Home - The Realness
41 - Group Home - Suspended In Time
42 - Group Home - Livin Proof
43 - Showbiz & AG - The Next Level (remix)
44 - Jeru The Damaja - Me Not The Paper (unreleased remix)
45 - Jeru The Damaja - Me Or The Paper
46 - Jeru The Damaja - Come Clean
47 - Gangstarr - So Wassup
48 - Gangstarr - Speak Ya Clout 1
49 - Gangstarr - Speak Ya Clout 2
50 - Gangstarr - Speak Ya Clout 3
51 - Gangstarr - Code of Da Streetz
52 - Gangstarr - Capture
53 - Gangstarr - Deadly Habitz
54 - Gangstarr - Nice Girl~ Wrong Place
55 - Gangstarr - Skillz
56 - Gangstarr - Peace of Mine
57 - Gangstarr - In This Life
58 - Gangstarr - Rite Where You Stand
59 - Gangstarr - Playtawin
60 - Pushim - Set Me Free
61 - Rakim - When I Be On The MicScrewball - F.A.Y.B.A.N.
62 - Double CD Set One Outro
DISC THREE:
63 - Underground Instrumentals - Intro - My Catalog
64 - KRS One - MC's Act Like They Don't Know
65 - Gangstarr - Mass Appeal
66 - Nas - Memory Lane
67 - Bahamadia - 3 Da Hard Way
68 - Jeru Da Damaja - Can't Stop Da Prophet
39 - Jeru Da Damaja - D Original
70 - Gangstarr- Question Remains
71 - Big Shug - Crush
72 - Blaq Poet - Poet's Comin
73.- M.O.P. - Unreleased Beat
74 - DITC - The Enemy
75 - DJ Premier - True Hip-Hop beat [rare]
76 - Heather B - Steady Rockin'
77 - O.C. - M.U.G. (Money Underground)
78 - D'Angelo - Devil's Pie
79 - Gangstarr - You Know My Steez
80 - Gangstarr - Full Clip
81 - Gangstarr, Total - Discipline
82 - Pitch Black - It's All Real
83 - Nas - Nas Is Like
84 - Nas - Second Childhood
85 - Big Jaz - Love is Gone
86 - Big L - Platinum Plus
87 - All City - The Actual
88 - Mos Def - Mathematics
89 - Mos Def, Craig David, Nate Dog - 7 Days remix
90 - Common - 6th Sense
91 - Das Efx - Real Hip Hop
92 - Jeru Da Damaja - Playin Ya'self
93 - BONUS: Stay Tuned For Underground Instrumentals 6!
DISC FOUR:
94 - Ras Kass - Golden Child
95 - Gangstarr - Royalty
96 - Gangstarr, M.O.P. - 1-2 & 1-2
97 - M.O.P. - Rugged Neva Smooth
98 - Gangstarr - Militia
99 - Lox - Recognize
100 - Notorious BIG - Ten Crack Commandments
101 - Notorious BIG - Unbelievable
102 - Jay Z - A Million & One Questions
103 - Jay Z - A Million & One Questions (Beat 2)
104 - Jay Z, Sauce Money, Jaz - Bring It On
105 - Jay Z - Friend or Foe
106 - Jay Z - So Ghetto
107 - Tony Touch - The PieceMaker
108 - CNN - Invincible
109 - O.C. - My World
110 - Snoop - One & Only
111 - Gangstarr - Natural
112 - M.O.P. - Handle Ur Bizness (remix)
113 - Royce Da 5'9 - Friend
114 - DJ DJ Premier - True Hip-Hop beat [rare]
115 - Fat Joe - Gangsta ****
116 - Fat Joe - Success
117 - Rakim - Been A Long
118 - Afu-Ra, Gza - Big Acts Little Acts
119 - DJ Premier - True Hip-Hop beat [rare]
120 - M.O.P. - Stick To Ya Gunz
121 - Gangstarr - Take It Personal
122 - Group Home - Up Against Da Wall (remix)
123 - Gangstarr - Sabotage
124 - DJ Premier - True Hip-Hop beat [rare]
125 - Paula Perry - Extra Extra
126 - Brand Nubian - The Return
127 - Gangstarr - Ex Girl Next To The Next Girl


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