JumpinJack AJ

JOHN REUBEN - Treats Professional Rapper (2007)

I agree with statements like that, but the truth is, most artists like FP see the trash on the charts and i makes them NOT wanna create anything new. True artists are so outnumbered they don't even have the motivation to fight. Their only motivation seems 2 be from their own hunger for the mic and whether they have time 2 put in2 it. I don't blame them.

TALIB KWELI (PRODUCED BY PETE ROCK) - Stay Around Eardrum (2007) Alright, i've come 2 the conclusion that Talib Kweli is the best emcee of the last 10 years. Every single album and song he's done is totally true 2 himself with dope lyrics, a crazy flow, dope production, and filled with heart. He is the most consistant emcee of the last 10 years...CHECK THE ALBUM!!

Who is surprised?! This all started over 10 years ago. Things have declined 2 the point that any true Hip-Hop fan has no business turning on the radio. Rappers are disposable. Their careers and songs are easily forgetable. Most albums feature trendy guest appearances on every single song...u have 2 check the album cover 2 remind yourself it's someone's album and not a mixtape. No creativity or imagination is in the mix anymore. Rappers are some of the dumbest people to ever hit radio and TV. The production is so awful that semi-intellegent people turn on the radio and think "am i being punked?" When charts show that the masses are actually willing and able 2 listen 2 crap like Young Joc, Young Dro Soulja Boy, Hurricaine Chris, Lil' Wayne, Lil' Jon, Baby Boy, D4L, G-Unit, and Shop Boys, it's truely a sign that rap is dead. It's dead. If it's gonna be like that, who wants it alive? There will always be this thing Hip-Hop, where creative and artistic people will stretch their imagination and express themselves. Whether it's mainstream or totally underground, it will be there. At this point, i'm not so sure it's even worth wanted a "comeback" of real music. Of course i want 2 see Public Enemy, JJ+FP, Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, KRS-One, Mos Def, The Roots, Talib Kweli, MC Lyte, Naughty By Nature, EPMD, Rakim on TV and hear them on the radio...but as long as the music is coming out, i could care less if it's actually popular. If there's one thing i hate, it's when people hear the crap on the radio and think it's Hip-Hop. Maybe a temporary death of rap will establish the real from the fake, the good from the bad, and the Hip-Hop from the cRap.

Yeah, they've both been on the charts since the early 2000's. These days, that's a lifetime. Are commerical rap fans still interested in them? If not, they have 2 rely on making good music. That means 50 Cent has no hope. Another thing that could come in2 play is who they run with. 50 Cent has no respectable musical partners unless LL is still working with him. Kanye on the other hand is cool with people like Common Sense, Talib Kwelie, Jamie Foxx, Alicia Keys, Brandy, etc. Kanye can put 2gether some good beats when he takes his time. If he can just get rid of that idiotic ego and focus on writing good lyrics...then he only needs 2 improve his flow 2 become a more legit artist.

Ha...what r u talking about. Half of the emcees and rappers that have gained success all started as "indie" artists. Many artists came before him. Lil' Jon has been producing since the early 90's! His early stuff waz actually good (years before "crunk").

JOHN REUBEN - Hindsight Hindsight (2002) This is the emcee i wish i could make everyone listen 2...at least his stuff from 2000-2005.

I partly agree. Tra-Knox waz truely talented. I saw them do their thing live and their harmonizing, performing skillz, and overall talent shined thru.' Born To Reign did not flatter their style and sound at all. After all, compare the B2R stuff 2 "I'm Comin'"...they almost sound like a different group. I'd really like 2 hear that song they did for the gospel album. Other than that, we can blame their disappearance on the music industry. R-N-B groups that aren't signed thru' a commerical rapper or cussing like rap stars don't typically get mainstream record label love. I wish they would have kept it 2gether. After all, FP had a rap on one of the songs.

We are talking about Sony here. They raced 2 get FP off Columbia, put 2gether an uninspired Greatest Hits album and insisted on putting movie soundtrack songs on his Hip-Hop albums. Maybe they'll sign FP for a 1-single deal for a Men In Black 3 song...even tho' no movie is in the works.

I understand what u are saying. But when many of us used 2 visit the board and share relevant info, we got out numbered and overlooked by idiotic fools that posted off-topic crap and never even prooved that they respect Will Smith. That place is a joke. I stop by every once in awhile but there's never anything good or any intellegent info. The few that are real fans need 2 come over here becuz they can't be that intellegent if they are content with the topics over there.

My memory may be a bit scratchy but i know that they did a song that waz on a gospel soundtrack or compilation CD. The fellaz went seperate ways a few years ago.

FP gets 20 million for just doing a movie. How can all of these "rappers" be making more than him?? I think they are looking over him since he released no album or becuz they are overshadowing his status as an emcee with the blockbuster movies. --------------------------------------------------------- Jay-Z Tops Forbes Rap 'Kings' List By Christine Kearney,Reuters Posted: 2007-08-17 06:58:43 Filed Under: Celebrity News, Music News NEW YORK (Aug. 17) - Hip-hop star Jay-Z's talent for extending beyond rap to the executive worlds of music, fashion and other businesses has earned him the top spot on Forbes magazine's "Hip-Hop Cash Kings" list. Forbes Thursday said Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, raked in $34 million in 2006, the year he released a comeback album "Kingdom Come." But the boyfriend of pop singer Beyonce earned much of that income as chief executive of New York-based Def Jam Recordings, owner of a sports bar franchise and holder of endorsements deals with Budweiser, Hewlett-Packard and General Motors, Forbes said. In March, Jay-Z, 36, sold his Rocawear fashion label for $204 million -- a sum that will again place him high up in the music world's earnings for 2007. Coming in at No. 2 was rapper 50 Cent, a.k.a Curtis Jackson. He earned $32 million from his music and businesses such as a record label, video games and a line of books, the survey said. Diddy -- real name Sean Combs -- came in third. He owns the Sean John clothing label and a cologne that he licensed to Estee Lauder. He also is an MTV television producer. Timbaland, whose real name is Timothy Mosley, was No. 4 with earnings of $21 million from collaborations and running Mosley Music Group. Dr. Dre, a.k.a. Andre Young, grabbed fifth place with $20 million from ventures that include running Aftermath Entertainment, followed by Eminem at No. 6, who brought in $18 million, and Snoop Dogg at No. 7, who earned $17 million. Forbes associate editor Lea Goldman said the hip-hop stars are "masters at branding and cross-promotion" so that "they're still making a killing as the rest of the music industry suffers." "They get that it's not just about selling albums, but about selling a lifestyle," she said. "So they've plowed their earnings into media empires that include their own record labels, clothing lines, restaurants and bars." Grammy award winner Kanye West was No. 8 with $17 million followed by Pharrell Williams, who has his own sneaker and clothing lines, and Scott Storch, a former keyboardist with the Roots turned hip-hop and pop writer and producer. Both also earned $17 million.

2 many ?uestions...this is a new JJ+FP single!! Just be happy. I know i'm hyped...even tho' it's randomly being released after summertime and with a silly cover.

Man, with all the 2Pac fans on this board, nobody has checked this new album yet? I'm telling u, this one's actually good!!

DMC's 1st album wasn't perfect, but i liked alot of it. The love the old school sensibility and multi-flavored vibe. I'm surprised another is coming out so soon. I can't wait. I just hope he doesn't stretch his borders much more than he did on the 1st. Let's remember he pioneered Hip-Hop...so i don't think any of us wanting him 2 stray 2 much from it.

I like that FP's down-2-earth style has impacted so many other celebs. Without that attitude, Beyonce's star may not be shining as bright as it is 2day. After all, B'Day is about as average as an album can be...yet it's dropped hit single after hit single.

TOBYMAC - Hey Now Welcome To Diverse City (2004) This joint always gets my mind back on the right track.

Thanx...i can feel the love. It's much needed.

2PAC + THE OUTLAWZ - Hail Mary (Rock Remix) Nu Mixx Klazzics Vol. 2 (Evolution: Duets + Remixes) (2007)

Definitely an accomplishment. Especially for a this kinda of album with this kinda music. Love it!!

I asking for more support on my most recent request. The numbers in my studio got better...but now they are going back down again. I'm 1 and a half week away from my Digital Conversion being over (which has kept me soooo busy) but one of peers in the business saw that my job is being advertised on Hotjobs. I think my DM is trying 2 get someone in her back pocket 2 replace me if i don't get these numbers up. That crazy thing is, they want me 2 make like $1,000 extra each day to what we made last year. It's insane. In my limited human mind, i know everything will happen 4 the best. The 2 things being either i get the level of success they want and i gain my personal life back with the conversion and new hires....OR they get rid of my and the new job will be better for me. Who knows. It's just driving me crazy becuz everytime i think i can start 2 live again, it gets taken away from me...which is no way 2 live. I'm FINALLY buying a new car this week so it be nice 2 know they'll be no gap in paychecks coming my way...ha ha. So yeah, i'd appriciate prayer support on success or whatever is meant 2 be.

2PAC + DWELE - Starin' Through My Rearview Nu Mixx Klazzics Vol. 2 (Evolutions: Duets + Remixes) (2007)

I noticed that 2. I figured that waz the least of the problems.

THANK U!! Homer started taking most of the spotlight during the mid 90's or so. The dumber half of America seems 2 identify with him more and i think that's why people like myself (and u) stopped watching it regularly. Cuz any true Simpsons fan knows Bart carries most of the weight when it comes 2 the essense of The Simpsons. Don't get me wrong, i love the show. But the early seasons were the best.

So out of no where, Deathrow just dropped a new 2Pac record...Nu Mixx Klazzics Volume 2 (Evolution: Duets And Remixes). Like most fans who followed his music before his passing, i rolled my eyes and 2 myself "that remix album must be awful." However, as someone who simply loves 2Pac's music, his early stuff and solo...and even some of the stuff released a year or 2 after he passed away, i had 2 get it. Reguardless i had 2 pick up this new record even with the pain of how awful the doctored albums have been. However, this time, it's done right. The Nu Mixx Klazzics album that Deathrow put out in 2003 waz pretty bad. 10 trax from his time on Deathrow were remixed with crappy commerical beats that 2Pac would have never considered using. The replaced a Snoop cameo with a verse from wack Deathrow artist Crooked I. It waz a catstrophic embarassment 2 his legacy. I think i liked maybe 2 remixes off that album, which were still no where near as good as the original release. From then, we've seen doctored albums like Loyal To The Game and Pac's Life that basically sucked thru' and thru' due 2 wack production and unrealistic guest artists put on his trax. As many of us gave up on any true 2Pac releases coming out, believe it or not, Deathrow has done a good thing with this remix album...2Pac fans should check it. Here's a breif overview. This album features 12 trax from his time on Deathrow (definitely not the peak of his musical career, but dope none the less). Trax from All Eyez On Me, Makaveli, Gang Releated, Gridlock'd, and Above The Rim are all on here to give it a bit of variety. The guest spots aren't perfect but much better than previous albums. The Outlawz, Kurupt, and Snoop cameos are intact. Added spots are on there from Butch Cassidy and Styles P don't really fit in...but the new cameo with Dwele is amazing. No big names have doctored or remixed the trax but in most cases, they actually did a really good job. Picture Me Rollin', Staring Though My Rearview, Got My Mind Made Up, and Lost Souls are all on the album and tweeked from their original form. On those trax, they have added some to the original production and/or added additonal non-spotlight stealing appearances from other artists. They actually work really well. "Staring Though My Rearview" with Dwele is probably the best track on the whole album. AMAZING!! Keep Goin' (originally titled "Don't Stop" off Tha Dogg Pound's DPG 2002" album), What's Ya Phone #, Hail Mary, Pain, Wanted Dead or Alive, Initiated (originally off Daz' Revendge, Retaliation, and Retribution), How Do You Want It are all on the album in total remix forms. Unlike most of the doctored and remixes we have heard of 2Pac songs done from 2000 and on, these actually fit the song topics and vibe pretty well. If the original versions were graded at an A, most of these are actually at a B (compared to the C's, D's, and F's of Loyal To The Game and Pac's Life). The "Hail Mary" Rock Remix is surprisingly amazing. The errie breakdown and high energy guitar moodswings of the song are ill. I can picture 2Pac rocking this LIVE. The "Wanted Dead or Alive" remix is really good. It kinda sounds like and updated Deathrow sound if they were still on top. "How Do You Want It" isn't 2 bad either. The only track that i'm not feeling much is the remix of "Pain." Overall, i urge all true 2Pac fans 2 check this album. I think most of u will be surprised. I know i waz. This album is almost as good as "Still I Rise" and comparable to Until The End of Time and Better Dayz. This album probably beats them tho' since it isn't a double disc and comes off more solid AND is based off material that 2Pac released or planned on releasing. Lastly, if u are gonna get the album, try 2 get the version released thru' Best Buy. It has 2 bonus remixes. It has an alternate version of "Lost Souls" with the original production but with verses from Daz and M-1 and another remix of "Initiated."