The Cool

Lupe Fiasco's The Cool came out today. Buy it! He deserves the support. The Cool is arguably the best album of '07. Listen to the first two singles here...

Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos - Superstar => LISTEN

Lupe Fiasco feat. Gemstones and Graham Burris - Dumb It Down => LISTEN

What a year for Chicago hip hop. Kanye West's Graduation, Common's Finding Forever, and Lupe Fiasco's The Cool should be in everyones Top 10 (5!) list.

Walk Like A Man

"Walk Like A Man" is my favorite Murs track. The acronym MURS stands for 'Making Underground Raw Shit,' which he has been doing successfully for about 10 years now. This song comes from one of my favorite albums, Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition, entirely produced by the incredible 9th Wonder (another favorite). On "Walk Like A Man," Murs eulogizes his best friend while commenting on the uselessness of revenge. It's a real deep song. Check it out...

Murs - Walk Like A Man => LISTEN

They Schools

Dead Prez is the duo of stic.man and M-1. They are, much like Immortal Technique, known for their politically provocative lyrics. Their debut album Let's Get Free, released in 2000, was led by the hit single "Hip Hop" (you've probably heard it). Also on that album is today's song, titled "They Schools," which takes on racism in the school system.

Dead Prez - They Schools => LISTEN

Cool fact: they met in my hometown, Tallahassee, Florida, while attending FAMU.

Shadow Business

Quick post tonight. A song about slave labor by Jedi Mind Tricks, a rapper/produced duo from Philadelphia consisting of Vinnie Paz (emcee) and Stoupe (producer). Vinnie's voice is one of my favorites and Stoupe's production never fails to amaze me. This track is from their latest CD, Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell, released in 2006.

Jedi Mind Tricks - Shadow Business => LISTEN

Me and Jesus the Pimp in a '79 Granada Last Night

The Coup is from Oakland, California, and currently has two members: Raymond "Boots" Riley and DJ Pam the Funkstress. "Me and Jesus the Pimp in a '79 Granada Last Night" (please forgive the long title) is one of the most emotional stories to be told on record. Whether it's literal or an allegory is for you to decide. The Coup often confronts social and political issues so the latter is certainly a possibility. Either way this track will leave an impression on you.

I suggest you read the lyrics as you listen. You can find them here.

The Coup - Me and Jesus the Pimp in a '79 Granada Last Night => LISTEN

This was the first single off their 1998 album, Steal This Album. Its video, which enhances the story, can be found here.

Bin Laden

My apologies for being away for so long. Time to get back on track to finish out '07. I'm giving you two tracks today from the most politically-charged rapper you've ever heard - Immortal Technique. His raps are not unsubstantiated musings. He's well-educated, well-spoken and his punchlines, you will never forget.

"Bin Laden" has gotten him the most mainstream recognition, primarily because of Mos Def's chilling chorus. People tend to get caught up in that though and miss the deeper message. The remix, produced by DJ Green Lantern, has a harder beat and begins with a great clip from an Al Sharpton speech.

Immortal Technique feat. Mos Def - Bin Laden => LISTEN

Immortal Technique feat. Chuck D & KRS-One - Bin Laden (Remix) => LISTEN

Government front religious, but their heart is empty
Like a televangelist preaching out of his Bentley
Call an abortion murder in a medical building
But don't give a fuck about bombing Iraqi children