I don’t know what’s come over me these last few months, but I am becoming increasingly obsessed with the sounds and style of Madonna. Her swagger in the late eighties and early nineties is unparalleled by any other artist during that time. She reeked of risque, sexual innuendos and images of female power that only Madonna could pull off.
This song and video is one of my favorites. Produced by Lenny Kravitz and Andre Betts, “Justify My Love” is a standout track that defined Madonna to the fullest and where her musical talent took on it’s purest form. This track was written by Lenny Kravitz and Co-Written by Mexican-American Poet Ingrid Chavez, which explains the spoken word feel of this song, with additional lyrics added by Madonna to round out the track. Ingrid Chavez’s name never appeared in the credits for this song, but she sure got a large settlement for it.
I look forward to using this song for a fashion show one day. Enjoy!
Over the past couple years, rappers all over the country have shared one common thread that is still holding strong…a love for the original Cash Money Records Family of the 90’s and early 2000’s.
You see it everywhere from YG naming his mixtape 4 Hunnid Degreez, A$AP Mob playing Juvenile’s “HA” at their performances and Drake rapping over a sampled “Back That Azz Up.” I’ve pondered why this appreciation for Cash Money has been so prominent among today’s new, young rising stars in the Hip-Hop game. I could only come up with one answer: Childhood.
Most of us who were born during the 80’s through the mid 90’s were old enough to remember watching Rap City everyday and seeing the Cash Money crew rap about driving Jaguars and wearing diamond encrusted platinum chains. This served as inspiration for many young people to make it BIG in the rap industry or in any career, and for this we should all be very thankful.
I came across some early interviews with the Cash Money collective. Check out this episode of MTV Cribs, where Birdman and Wayne give us a summary of how they lived a decade ago.
Rap City: The Basement was one of the freshest shows on BET when it was around, and I hated to see it leave. No matter, here is a rad interview with most of Cash Money. I love Ronald “Slim” Williams’ take on business and the music industry. He always seemed to be a man who stressed the importance of ownership and staying connected with the community.
Last but not least, MTV interviewed Cash Money in the late nineties and provides insight into some of the personal troubles members had before climbing to the top of the charts.
I am counting the days until Terrace Martin’s “3ChordFold” drops on 8/13/13. Until then check out this video of Terrace and Wiz Khalifa going In on the album.
The Process with Terrace Martin – In the Studio with Wiz Khalifa
Enjoy this dope song released from “3ChordFold”…
Terrace Martin ft. Robert Glasper & James Fauntleroy – No Wrong, No Right
I’m still baffled as to how Terrace was able to get Quincy Jones to produce a song on this album. It’s been a long time since Quincy produced a song on someone else’s album. I can not wait to hear this track.
We found these wonderful videos of Vogue Legend Willi Ninja offering advice to models and recounting his days as a Voguer in the 80’s. As I was watching the NYC House Dance Culture video, it seemed Willi was showing signs of illness in his tired face. May he forever rest in peace.
If you’ve ever visited San Bernardino, California, then you know it’s not a pretty site. I should know, I was raised there. However, once in a while a glimmer of light passes through the city that brings hope. I met hope at The National Orange Show a few weeks ago, and he was a bad-ass Chicano named Frost.
The Man:
If you’re not familiar with Kid Frost, he was the first rapper to bust open the doors for Mexican Rap Artists in the United States. He is the undeniable Godfather of the modern “Chicano Rap” genre, and he doesn’t take shit from anyone.
Frost made his first big impression on the rap game with his song “La Raza” in the early nineties, spawning a string of hits that includes “La Familia,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” and my personal favorite “East Side Rendezvous.” Listening to these songs, I am reminded of how great Chicano rap once was, and where it could go if today’s Chicano rap artists could spit like Frost.
The Encounter:
As me and my family were looking for the best fried, greasy Orange Show Festival food to eat, a booth caught the eyes of my father. Dad noticed a black sports team shirt that read “Los Angeles,” the Clippers name below being replaced with “Chicano.”
At first I felt a little uncomfortable at the booth. A white dude with blonde hair tapped me on my shoulder, and as I turned around he asked “Can I help you?” I thought he was some random guy that was tripping out on speed. He was skinny and seemed out of place in a predominately Latino crowd. He turned out to be one of Frost’s employees.
My dad wanted to know if the LA Chicano shirt came in a Lakers style. An older gentleman chillin’ in the back of the tent started to answer my dad’s questions. He was a humble, calm man, but the chains around his neck spoke of a different character.
I couldn’t quite place where I had remembered him from. Was he a family member? Maybe one of my father’s forgotten friends? I started to piece this riddle together: older, gold chains, looks Mexican, hardcore look in his face, tattoos…he’s got to be a rapper. It all clicked when I remembered seeing some photos of music producer Scoop Deville and his father Kid Frost. I was standing in front of a Legend!
I stepped back and noticed the giant “Meet Kid Frost” sign at the booth. Kid Frost CDs were sprawled on the table. What I found interesting about Frost was his non-pushy personality. Not once did he pressure us to buy his music or clothing. I guess he figured if you were really there for him and respected his talent, you would buy it regardless.
I didn’t say anything to him or act like a groupie. I hate groupies. I walked away with my father. A few minutes later I told my dad who he was, and he insisted that we go back to Frost’s booth to introduce ourselves.
After my dad said his hellos, all I told Frost was “I like your son too, he’s a good producer,” to which he responded “He was here earlier, he just left.” I thought “Damn I came so close to meeting one of the rap games hottest producers, but I’m happy I met the man who made him.”
Frost’s Ropa Clothing Line can be found here: http://www.ogkidfrost.com/Frost/ROPA.html. Sadly Frost does not have the Los Angeles Chicano shirts on his website. I knew I should have bought one at the fair!
I’ll leave you with a cool video and quote from Frost:
“All of the risks and moves that I’ve made have come from wanting to take care of my family.” – O.G. Kid Frost
Being that I’m a Fashion Fanatic and admirer of DJ Mustard’s production style, I had to drop this track on ya’ll. “Shirt By Versace” by Kirko Bangz is your typical club banger with references to expensive clothes attracting women. Of course Kirko had to bring the homies French Montana, YG & G-Haze for the ride.
I give this track credit because it seems DJ Mustard has increased the complexity of his melodies in this track compared to his previous work. Hopefully he continues to produce more tracks with a similar structure. I thank everyone involved for paying homage to the late great Gianni Versace…
I like to know where my music is coming from, so I dug this sample up and decided to share it. J Dilla did such a great job sampling Bobby Caldwell for Common’s “The Light.” Enjoy!
Peace, & always strive for the Light in your life…
My story on this instrumental mixtape is quite interesting!
A few days ago I received an email from a producer with the most intriguing name. I open the email an out pops “G-Flair”. He asked me to take a listen to his work and possibly post his mixtape to my website, after dawning me with a list of famed rappers who have built an appreciation for his work.
Up and coming producers usually talk about how great their work is without any real substance to their claims. In fact there have been many times when I’ve listened to the work of these so called “producers,” only to hear a cluster fuck of noise and nonsense. When I came upon G-Flair’s beats, my ears were blessed with ghetto symphonies.
Hailing from the United Kingdom, G-Flair is a promising new talent that is sure to amaze Hip-Hop fans around the world with his signature sound. My favorite instrumental from this tape is Paper Bag Money, a smooth track with a hint of depression. Still, the beat goes hard.
Another standout track,”Living My Dreams,” reminds one of the “good-life.” I wouldn’t be surprised if an established rapper here in the States is caught spitting over this medley of synths and crushing drums.
IT’S THAT GOOD!
Now I must be honest, not all of the beats on this mixtape are unique, and have that typical, popular Southern sound. However, the beats are organized perfectly and I would think twice before calling G-Flair’s work wack. It’s hard to make any type of great music. If you’ve never made a beat before, then I challenge you to make your own. You will soon see that it’s not easy.
I’m looking forward to hearing how G-Flair’s work progresses and improves over the course of his career as a beatsmith.
Please download G-Flair’s “Beats on Deck 2” by clicking on the mixtape cover at the top of this page or visit the “Mixtape of The Week” section our website. Tell all your friends to download it too. This is a great set of instrumentals for rappers on the come-up. You won’t be disappointed.
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