Benz and a Backpack

Every now and then, trying circumstances arise that would put a strain on any relationship. When that strain becomes sustained, or when it shows some semblance of permanence, it’s time to put the foundation of that relationship under the microscope and evaluate whether or not it is fundamentally sound. If it is, then you break out your tool belt and work with the other person to rebuild the interior of that relationship, and move forward. If it isn’t fundamentally sound then you tear that house down and look for a different plot of land to build on.

There’s no time to waste on people who don’t reciprocate equal love and respect. Surround yourself with the people who do, because they’ll always hold you down. Keep the others at arm’s length. Dame and Jay parted ways in 2004, most likely because Dame was not a supporter of the direction HOV was headed. Now Dame is doing much cooler shit than Jay, and he’s doing it with a group of people dedicated to a singular artistic cause. Ski Beatz, Curren$y, Big K.R.I.T., and Smoke DZA are DD172 teammates featured in this week’s Mixtape Monday. Other tracks include: brand new Raekwon, Andre 3000, Styles P, Cee-Lo, KanYe, Lupe & Pharrell, as well as cuts from Detroit’s Doss The Artist & Hir-O, and Providence’s own CR The Beast and Chachi. DL link under the cut!

Benz And A Backpack Presents…Mixtape Monday – Vol. 21 by BenzAndABackpack

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An obligatory post of the visuals for Drake and Wayne’s “Miss Me,” co-produced by Boi-1da and 40. Though it was outsold by Em’s latest drop (Recovery), Thank Me Later did go Platinum this week, and it will surely be in the running for #1 on many of the Top Albums of 2010 lists. Word is, Drizzy’s next video will be for the Swizzy-produced cut “Fancy.” Stay tuned!

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It’s about time Canadian artists got the shine they deserved. Whether you like it or not, it’s undeniable that Drake opened the floodgates for other emcees above the border. One of the lucky beneficiaries of Drake’s success is k-os, a talented vocalist who spits as well as he sings. k-os just dropped his newest mixtape, The Anchorman, and he got the best Canucks down with him: Drake, Saukrates, Ryan Dahle, and more. Peep this J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League-produced cut called Faith, featuring Drizzy. The shit knocks, as does the whole tape. Download link under the cut!

k-os ft. Drake – Faith [prod. J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League]

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DJ Clue premiered this Kane Beats produced track the other day. Last night Lil’ Wayne called into HOT 97 to speak to Funk Flex live from Rikers Island. Wayne said he will be dropping an EP, which will come out before the Carter 4, soon after he finishes serving his time.

Right Above It (Feat. Drake) (Prod By Kane Beatz) (DJ Clue Premier)

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Download: Lil’ Wayne feat. Drake – Right Above It

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Whadd’ya know?  Our favorite interviewer in the world has finally caught up to Drizzy Drake in beautiful Vancouver, B.C.  Viva Nardwuar!

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A couple weeks ago I posted an article by Young H at PotholesInMyBlog, wherein Young H took many popular bloggers to task for their lack of journalistic polity. To many, blogging is a laughable endeavor; they think that anybody with a computer can sit down, blog, and be ‘successful.’ It’s this very mentality that undermines the purpose of the blogosphere, as well as those writers who take the form of journalism seriously. That being said, I had to sit on my hands for several hours today after reading one of Byron Crawford’s (a.k.a. Bol) newer pieces about the J. Cole single “Who Dat.”

Crawford claims throughout the entire article Cole’s third verse on “Who Dat” is actually a shot at Drake. The success of the entire piece hinges upon this argument; the reader is led to believe that Crawford will flesh out Cole’s verse and explain exactly how Cole was taking shots at Drake. And yet, somehow, instead of proving his thesis, Crawford just proves that despite his college degree he has no knowledge of journalistic tradition or etiquette. He strings together non-sequitur after non-sequitur, all the while taking cheap shots at Cole, Drake, and his fellow blogger Noz (of CocaineBlunts.com).

Below Crawford’s article, in the comments section (see the picture above), Crawford tells one of his critical commenters to ‘Stop being such a fag.’ It’s almost as if there is no oversight from XXL, at all. And even though it’s ugly (il cattivo), it’s not so bad that Crawford has these thoughts and writes them down. ‘Il brutto’ in this situation is that Crawford has the platform to reach thousands of readers with his superfluous thoughts, courtesy of XXL.

But then, there’s a thoughtful, emotive piece dedicated to DJ J.Rocc (il buono), written by the XXL-Staff, from the very same day as Crawford’s article (July 7th). This begs the question about XXL’s relationship with Byron Crawford: why to do this?

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No topics are truly safe from the scheming pens of industry emcees. Now, if you’ve had your radio on in the past two weeks, you’ve heard Drake’s Swizz Beats produced ode to appearance-obsessed women, “Fancy,” featuring T.I. And though the song breaks with that smooth Drake-brand sound, its subject matter fits right in with the kind of shit many of the industry’s new talent (and even some old mainstays) have been putting out this year – songs dedicated to the women that bring drama.

Now, speakin on the subject of the saditty lady is by no means a new trend in hip-hop (especially industry type ish)- women have been at the center of Hip Hop culture from its inception. Yet this year has seen an inordinate number of artists put out songs centered around the topic of bougie females, not just on an ultra-sexual Whisper Song tip or some strange Lil Wayne love song, but on some pretty-well thought-out, lyrical shit. Check it:

Drake – Fancy

“Hit the gym, step on the scale, stare at the numba/ You say you droppin ten pounds, preparing for summa/ And you don’t do it for the man/ Man never notice/ You just do it for your self/ you the fucking coldest”

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Drake’s Thank Me Later officially drops tomorrow, which means by 2010 standards it’s already ancient.  But what the hell, let’s remix “Over” anyway.  Ready?  Here we go!

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Unforgettable is the new of this track by two of the hottest rappers in the game right now, Drake and Young Jeezy. The song samples Aaliyah’s “At Your Best (Let Me Know)”. I have to admit I’m impressed on how this track came out. If I had to guess I would think this isn’t going on either of their future albums because of the untraditional type of samples in it.
Let us know what you guys think

Download: Drake feat. Young Jeezy – Unforgettable

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The sole reason why “New York State of Mind” is as popular as it is (that’s right Jay-Z, I said it) is because Alicia Keys knows how to carry a melody. And with all these soft chicks jumping on tracks with your favorite artists (cough* Hayley Williams) its nice to see Miss Keys holding down some of these tracks not just for the girls out there, but for the gangsters too.

Her single “Unthinkable,” as dope as it is by itself (yeah, I listen to it by myself at night, so what?), has been recorded over by the likes of Drake, Lloyd Banks and even Shyne – thats right, the man that did 10 years in the Pen even has a soft side when it comes to A. Keys. I don’t know what it is about her, but it doesn’t seem to matter WHO is rapping on the beat, as long as Alicia is in there somewhere, the track is probably going to kill. Thus, I’m deeming Alicia Keys my ‘gangster chick’ for 2010. Check these few versions of ‘Unthinkable’ and let me know if you agree.

Featuring Drake, a solid duo:

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