Right now it seems that over doing it is what it's all about. From the three quarter million dollar whips to the chains that cost more than the average price of a home in America, hip-hop has always been about excess.

It's good to see some of the hip-hop trends move away from the flash and more to the class. Hip-hop should be tasteful and simple, elegant and timeless. It has been drifting back to this course due to the preppy meets pimpin phenomenon started by such artist as Lupe, Kanye, T.I., Wayne, and even Kid Cudi.

It started with killa cam bringing pink back then Kanye popped his collar. From there if it wasn't a white tall tee it was preppy. The preppy faded and the rocker came in. But now what hip-hop fashion needs is to dumb it down. Forget the $200 goofy club tees. You know the one's i'm stressin, the douche bag Ed Hardy and Affliction type tees. Spend that money on something more useful, like your bills, and just wear new plain tees every day. Stay fresh. Stay 100. All the big stores have the big ass packs of white and black or whatever color you need, and they last just as long, if not longer, than those lame ass designer shirts.

Being economic in this time doesn't hurt but that's not the point I want to make, the point that needs to be put across is play it down. Simple solid colors always look better than bright clashing colors and rhinestones. Even all the artist with these former tastes have caught on to this trend. If you look at the fashion credits for many articles your going to to an increase in labels like Hanes and Polo not Crooks and Castle or 10 Deep. The fitted white tee has always been iconic and its going to stay that way. Wear it more.

But a five dollar tee won't make the outfit. The key is the jeans, kicks, and accessories. You gotta get the cut and seam of the jean that fits bets for you. Baggy is out and fitted is in. Fitted is especially in to show off the sneakers. Sneakers are back, the retro's have become current again largely due to the hipster influence on the hip-hop scene. Blazers, dunks, shell toes, supras, air force's, alife, and Nike SB's are poppin right now and will stay hot for a minute. There is no shame in a good loafer from gucci or ballys but I would save those for a real night out. Your feet gotta be covered, why not do it right? Spend the few extra bills and get something fresh kicks that will pop out and really make the whole shit be fly. Last but not least is accessories, and unless you got the paper for some dope jewelry don't do it. Fake is fake. Rock a bandanna or a scarf if you don't have the paper for that new Louis rag. Not to mention, playin it down is really playin it up. Do more and say less.

What to Listen to:

-DJ KaySlay: Thug Luv, this track has some killer apperences on it like maino and red cafe who can really represent the east. As always almost anything with KaySlay is gonna be raw and his new album should be no different

-Young Jeezy: Lose My Mind Feat. Plies. TM 103 seems to be on track and this song goes hard as fuck with plies goon voice screamin and jeezy's trap house flow just tearin the beat apart. If this song is anything like what the concept of what TM 103 is gonna be like, shit should be stellar.

-Kanye West: Late Orchestration. In between "Late Registration" and "Graduation" Kanye did a small concert at the Abbey Hall in London to show off his skill. He is accompanied by a full string ensemble and 8-track is doing the spinning. The whole album is live so he does fuck some stuff up but the strings and Kanye's direction play off each other beautifully and each song is truly shown in a light that demonstrates just how good his music is

Doin it Big Under the Radar

There is a certain art that has had time to evolve the past decade(s) of hip-hop. That trend being flying high but still being below the commercial radar. Three artist that have done this and explify this trait perfectly are 1) AZ 2) DJ Skrew (R.I.P.) and 3) Tech N9ne. All three of these artist have had a great career whether it be through their own label like AZ's Quiet Money or through the great mix tapes that Skrew has managed to give us, before his untimely death. Lets not forget to mention the style and culture Skrew brought to light with his music for all of us, not just those from Texas to enjoy. Tech is crazy good and even better live, one of the ways he has built such a diverse and widespread fan base. Even if your not a Tech fan, like myself, I still have made a habit to go to his shows, they're always crazy and the acts that he has with him usually aren't shitty.

Of all the artist that posses this quality to be successful without being pushed by major industry labels one that deserves the most attention is AZ. For all that have never listened to AZ you need to get a CD as soon as possible. AZ is from New York and was the only artist featured on Nas's first CD. Yeah, he's been around for a very long time. AZ has released more albums than most artist burnin up the Billboard Top 25 yet most people have never heard of him. However, get on a hip-hop website or do your homework and you will be shocked. AZ has over ten CD's and all have sold well considering he has no major label to push or promote him. This is an accomplishment that most artist with a major label still cannot achieve. One successful album based off two singles seems to be about the average for most artist now.

AZ has the lyrical style of most east coast rap, lots of metaphors and similes but he goes beyond that. Sometimes you just need to hit the rewind button and listen to those few bars again because dude goes insane on some of his beats. That's another thing, AZ got crazy beats. The sound of his music is just another thing that set him apart from all other rappers. If you've never heard an AZ song think Biggie's hit "Juicy" meets the movie "Scarface". He is gritty and grimy but has a smooth flow that covers his madness on the track in a very mellow-gangster way. On the classic "Sugar Hill" he uses heavy soul and R&B influences but is still rapping about everyday shit. From the album "Doe or Die", his first, to "Legendary" , one of his latest, very little has changed about AZ's music. His flow may have matured, he almost has 20 years in the game, but he's still the same crazy smooth spitter from '94 that could keep up on any beat with anybody. That is why he can fly high but stay off the radar. He has the work ethic, the fan base, skill and most importantly the consistency.

What to listen to:
-AZ: Doe or Die, this is a great classic that any hip-hop fan needs to have. The music may be older than ten years (which is like 60 years in hip-hop) but all the lyrics are still pretty relevant and of course the word play is bananas. Nas makes a few guest appearances and this was back when he was still spittin like that crazy queens bridge kid. All and all the CD is one of those that can be put in and just press play. It's that good.
-Mr. Hudson Feat. Kanye West: SuperNova. This song is great and Kanye kills it, of course. Dude can be an arrogant dick all he wants, his work backs it up so more credit to him. This song is seems like it could be a good preview to what Mr. Hudson's freshmen release will be like and hopefully he blows up.
-B.o.B Feat. T-Pain: Trunk Band. Even though b.o.b did a song mocking the auto tune I think this is a genius pairing of two very creative and deranged minds. The beat is savage and they both tear it up like it's nothing. B.o.b pairing up to do a song with Pain is of course a brilliant marketing move, T-Pain is practically a household name from his Budweiser commercials to his cell apps doing a song with him definitely could not hurt b.o.b's career. Not to mention the song is dope.

My Intro To Let You Know

Every beat banger has known for a minute, there is no real coverage of what’s really good with everything hip-hop. Just news and speculation, no real opinions, no unbiased thoughts.

Everyone has said “hip hop” is dead, however, it’s not the music. It’s the fans. We are stuck in a literal RUT. Repetitive. Uneducated. Tasteless. That’s what hip-hop fans have become and learn to except with their music. This phenomenon that has occurred has allowed bullshit to plague all of our ears and successfully given hip-hop a worse name to the masses of society and fans alike.

My goal is to prove all the nonbelievers wrong and help give all things GOOD (not biting Kanye) in hip-hop proper recognition. From reviews too opinion pieces and even fashion it’s all going to be here.

Buck said “to know where you’re headed, you gotta know where you been”. I know where hip-hop has been, but where the fuck is it going? It’s time for a breath of fresh air.

The first artist feature is going to be about somebody who might actually bring hip-hop back to its glory days. B.o.B is the breath of fresh air that will really change the game. He is by no means a “new comer”, having released mix tapes like “Who the Fuck is Bob?” However, is new found video and radio play is causing a stir. His new single featuring Bruno Mars, “Beautiful Girls”, is currently number 14 on iTunes top songs and is getting decent radio play.

His unique sound and ability to play a wide variety of instruments, many of which are featured in his music, is one facet that will help guarantee his success. Much like Kanye West or Lupe Fiasco he is very lyrically diverse, from singing to spitin from the gut he does it all. His music can be fast paced like the track “Created a Monster” or very slow and smoldering like “Middle of the Day”. Another strong point that B.o.B seems to have is his ability to flow on any beat, even if it requires singing. In a Beatles sampled “Lonely People” his style is completely fresh and the lyrical content matches it perfectly. He actually raps about relevant topics, from rejection to domestic violence and even smokin one. B.o.B is definitely some one to watch for in 2010, with a mix tape coming out and a major release (finally!) some time in April? he is set to pop like a bottle.

What To Listen To Right Now:
-Lil Wayne: The Block is Hot, obviously a classic, and its always good to support wayne and his crew while he’s doing his bid. Also, this is a great CMR CD that has beats that are better then 99% of what is out today yet still sounds relevant, a sign or greatness.
-Notorious B.I.G.: Duets, another great CD with outstanding features. I would not say it’s a CD worth listening to because of Biggie (all old verses) but he is one of the greats. The beats bang and the features are unmatched. Blast that and burn one.
-Wale: Attention Deficit, with songs like “T.V. in the Radio” and “90210” this CD is a classic ahead of its time. Wale is another artist similar to B.o.B, he is finally getting his respect and time in the spot light, lets hope the sophomore work he puts out is just as crazy.