WYO Presents:"Land of the Kyngz"

If you tuned in to 3x5 Radio this past weekend you had the pleasure of hearing an in depth interview with rising Philadelphia rapper, WYO. Now check out his latest single, "Land of the Kyngz," before it's released.

Drake is making "Head Lines" Sorta

Drake is having a pretty good year. His second album debuted at #1 on the charts, he is headlining a successful tour, he set a new record for #1 singles on the Hip Hop charts, and he did not embarrass himself as he traded bars with Rapper/Actor/Dope Lyricist Common.

None of that has stopped people for taking shots at "wheel chair Jimmy." Take a look at a spoof by Rapper/Comedian Affion Crockett.

Wiseguy Music

Nowadays in rap there is an artist that represents every lifestyle. Rick Ross personifies the “blow money fast” attitude. Common is for the conscious dude. And Lil Wayne is for the weirdo. (yeah I took a shot at Lil Wayne fans) But what about the mobsters? Without further adieu I bring you Joe Pesci and Wiseguy Music.

OHHHH Baby

Justin Bieber likes to not only rap on beats..he also has the gift to gab with the ladies. Oh Baby. Thanks to Jimmy Fallon, Justin may have a new hit song on his hands. Check out the late night hosts funny take on Bieber's possible baby momma drama.

Move the Crowd: Raps' Top Hype Men

“The District” prides himself on his adlib capabilities when his favorite songs are in rotation. I must admit, he can play hype man with the best of them. I don’t know if he can get it rockin’ like the crowd in the picture above, but this got me to thinking...Who are the best? Take a look at my list of top hype men in rap.

Spliff Star


Did you know that Spliff Star was once an artist on Flipmode Records? He turned in his dreams of a successful solo career and has been rocking the mic alongside Busta Rhymes since 1996.

Memphis Bleek


Sure he had a few solo albums, but let’s be serious. The only time you have seen Memphis Bleek on stage in the 2000’s has been to help out childhood pal Jay-Z. He is one of the few hype men however, who can say that he had number one hits of his own.

Diddy


Find me a Badboy track that doesn’t have Diddy’s signature adlibs in the background. He makes sure you know what record label you’re listening to. Whether he’s hyping up Peach Ciroc in the club or one of hip-hop's top artist on stage, Diddy is one of the best. You can’t even imagine a Biggie song like “Big Poppa” without him on the track.

Flavor Flav


The OG of hype men is more than just a reality TV star who wears obnoxiously large clocks around his neck. His stage presence complimented Chuck D’s militant lyrics in an unusual pairing, and made Public Enemy a legendary rap group.

Who’s Your Favorite?


I’ve told you who I think are the best. Who do you think does the best job of adding something extra to a song? Is there anyone that I missed? Is Diddy overrated? Feel free to let me know in the comments section.

Swift Change of Opinion of Rappers

Hold up a darn minute. Did we all miss the memo? Didn't Taylor Swift get punked by a rapper and then swear off RAPPERS? At least that's what I assumed. Turns out she got turned out by a rapper. I guess once you go rap you never go back. While on tour Ms. Swift has had a rapper or two join her on stage to perform once of their hits. What's next for Taylor? Tattoo's and bong rips?

The R&B in Me

Some people may not know this, but I am a huge fan of R&B music. Yeah Jay-Z and Biggie are classics, but sometimes it’s necessary to slow things down a bit. The characteristic of R&B that I feel is the most important is the artist’s ability to express himself.

R&B artists can utilize vivid wordplay for subjects not often suitable for hard-core rap lyrics. Some singers, such as Jaheim, fail to take advantage of this luxury as they croon about “the block” and “rolling up.” They leave you wondering, “Why didn’t I just listen to Beanie Sigel if all you were going to do was sing me rap bars?”

Needless to say, it’s always refreshing to hear someone do it right. Recently, I’ve come across a new artist by the name of Tony T from DC who does just that. Listen for yourself and I’m sure you will agree.

Kids do the Darnest Things

Beyonce made it clear that "Girls run the world." Michelle Obama continues to change the worlds weight issues through her fight against childhood obesity. Neither of these powerful women have Nicki Minaj beat. She has little people performing her songs with a passion that Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and Betsy Ross would be proud of. GIRL POWER!

Albums After Death

So, I’m watching the VMA’s and the Amy Winehouse tribute comes on. As I listen to Bruno Mars(regretfully) and a cast of other celebs pay tribute to the fallen entertainer, I wonder if Winhouse will be the most recent artist to have a posthumous album, recorded primarily after her passing. Will it be a classic, enhanced by the musical talents of her peers? Or will it be sloppily thrown together to make a quick buck? If new material were to be released by Winehouse she wouldn’t be the first deceased artist to have new hits. Here are, in my opinion, the best and worst “After-Death Albums.”

BEST

5. Notorious B.I.G.- Born Again(1999)

On the track “Dead Wrong” Eminem made sure that the ghost of Christopher Wallace did not cast a shadow on his lyrical prowess. “Notorious B.I.G.” featuring Lil Kim and Puffy Daddy also provided remnants of classic Bad Boy party tracks.

4. J. Dilla-The Shining(2006)

J. Dilla was such a perfectionist that it is sadly ironic that he did not get to see his 2006 release come to fruition. Nonetheless “The Shining” holds its own among posthumous hip-hop albums.

3. Bob Marley-Chants Down Babylon(1999)

Erykah Badu…Rakim...The Roots...and Lauryn Hill, those are just a few of the big names that accompany the late Bob Marley on this album. “Rebel Music” featuring Krayzie Bone gives me chills every time I hear it.

2. Big Pun-Yeeeah Baby(2000)

“Banned from T.V.” is the most fitting name of any track on this album. This song features Big Pun, Noreaga, Jadakiss, Styles P and Cam’ron. It doesn’t get more hardcore than that. Not to mention the CD introduced many hip-hop fans to R&B songstress Ashanti.

1. 2Pac-R U Still Down (1997)

This list wouldn’t be complete without an album from 2Pac. This album featured two hit singles in “Do for Love” and “I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto”. I wasn’t the only one to think that this was a classic, seeing as though it sold 549,000 in its first week.

WORST

5. 2Pac- Pac’s Life(2006)

Hell the man had seven albums released after his death! At least one of them had to be bad. This 2006 release did not even reach Gold status.

4. Notorious B.I.G- Duets: Final Chapter(2005)

The singles were whack. The combination of artists were poor. Even Method Man, the only artist on the 2006 release to appear on B.I.G’s first album, voiced his disapproval of the collection. Aside for the lost footage on the bonus DVD, I really could have done without this one.

3. Michael Jackson- Michael Jackson’s This Is It(2009)

Quite frankly this album just seemed rushed. Don’t believe me? MJ passed away on June 25, 2009 and the album released on October 26, 2009. They say haste makes waste and it certainly did in the case of this CD.

2. Ol’ Dirty Bastard-A Son Unique

Ol’ Dirty died in 2004. Work on his album has been taking place ever since, but no results. It was supposed to be released by Dame Dash Music Group, but I’m not even sure that company still exists. Sorry, but I can’t be a fan of an album I’ve never had the pleasure of hearing.

1.What Do You Think?

I’ve told you who I think should make the list. What are your thoughts? Let us know your favorite/most hated “Albums After Death.”

Easy Money

I'm not a hater, I'm an appreciater, which is why I'm not going to speak ill of the young lady in the clip below. I'm proud that she has turned a video clip and a little fun on the mic into a million dollar record deal. This is why I'm down to bank roll a stylish man or woman that has a few cool catch phrases that he or she would like to lay over a hot beat. Who's in? In 2011, scratch off and lottery tickets are played out. Grabbing a flip cam, dressing like an extra on the show Living Color, and rapping cool one liners you use on twitter is in like snap backs.

Jay Z Covers the Boondocks

I have listened to tons of Jay-Z. I have never watched the Boondocks. Several people have suggested the cartoon to me yet I have failed to find time for it. Since Jay-Z has now rapped over the shows theme song I can sorta kinda say that I've checked the show out. Maybe this is an omen: A great rapper would only rap over a great shows music.... right?

The Mad Violinist

I've always wanted to play an instrument, especially the piano. I once saw a picture of Elton John that was taken while he performed in front of over 100,000 people and thought it must feel amazing to control a crowd with one instrument. Unfortunately, I don't have the patience or rhythm to play anything other than the occasional video game. The same can’t be said for the violinist in the piece below. He has mastered the violin and combined it with his love of Hip Hop. It's music to my ears.

Feature Story: Ashanti the Mad Violinist from 3 Little Digs on Vimeo.

Prince knows Billy Jean

When Michael Jackson died, I was sad to hear that he and Prince had a running feud. To me that is like Batman and Superman not getting along. Death seems to heal old wounds. Sad isn't it? Nevertheless, at a recent concert, Prince paid home age to the gloved one by covering a few songs. As an added treat, Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria graced the stage as a background and showed off her horrible dance moves. Now I see why Tony Parker divorced her. She could have injured him with those moves.

You have the right to Parrttyyyyyyyyy

Before Eminem hit the scene, the Beastie Boys were the coolest white rappers on the planet. Tours with Run DMC, hit songs, sold out stadiums, and an affiliation with Russell Simmons was proof. On May 3rd, they will be releasing their 9th album. To celebrate this accomplishment, the Beasties will be releasing a short film starring some of today’s funniest white actors: Will Ferrell, Seth Rogan, Danny McBride,Elijah Wood and features a gang of cameos from the likes of John C. Reilly, Jack Black, Rainn Wilson, Rashida Jones, Jason Schwartzman, Ted Danson, Steve Buscemi, Stanley Tucci, Susan Sarandon, and Chloë Sevigny. The group once told us to “Fight for your right to party”, and now its daring us to fight our urge to laugh at this funny trailer.

The Notorious Obama

Every now and again I find myself wondering how things would be if Biggie Smalls was still around. Would he still be relevant in rap or would he be headlining the “Old School Hip-Hop Tour” with Salt-N-Pepper? Would Oprah have invited him to her show like she did Jay-Z or would he be washed up and full of hatred like Dame Dash? Perhaps he would be on Youtube hating on Diddy for “Last Train to Paris?”

Despite the uncertainty of what his impact could have been, the relevance of his rags to riches story continues to exist. Don’t believe me? Just look at this video of Barack Obama and peep the similarities to a lyrical picture that B.I.G. painted in 1994. “And if you don’t know… now you know!!”

Lou Williams Is a Boss

Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers’ Lou Williams has played five NBA seasons and is ready to prove that he belongs. Not with a signature sneaker or an All-Star Game appearance. Everybody knows that if you want to be the man, you’ve got to have a song. Allen Iverson’s 40 Barz may have just become the second best song from a 76er. Check out Lou Williams’ “I’m a Boss” and you be the judge.

MUSIC: Most Wanted Albums of 2011

Way back in the 90's I would stop in Tower Records Store or HMV and check the release board. The release board was a huge board behind the registers that would list the release dates for all of your favorite artists next album. The date and artist was a surprise like a war veteran coming home to his or her family. You never knew who would be on the board. Once you got the release day you counted down the days. When an album was pushed back, you would restart the countdown in your heart after you gave your self a few moments to grief. Complex magazine has put together a list of the most anticipated albums for 2011.

Click here to see if your favorite artist is on the release board?

Usher: The New Whitney Houston?

Reports are surfacing that the R&B crooner is using crack, and is on a fast track to a rehab reality show. Now I don’t like to make assumptions but this story seems pretty rational to me.

As much money as Usher makes per concert, he better have a damn good reason for being a no-show and the generic “illness” just won’t cut it for me. The only reason I can think of is the same excuse used by K-ci and JoJo..Crack. Not to mention Usher is a part owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers who are playing their first season without LeBron James. If sitting courtside and watching Mo Williams stink it up doesn’t make you smoke crack, then I don’t know what will.

Sure there are going to be diehard fans that want to defend their guy with statements like, “He’s not loosing weight he’s just wearing smaller clothes.” My question for the naïve individual who has 84 copies of Confessions is how do you explain this video? I haven't seen a performance this bad since the crack binging days of DMX.

How Creative are you.. REALLY?

Philly Creative 360 has been nice enough to compile a list of the 2010 Creative Ambassadors. This makes me wonder if you will be on 2011's list? Check out the winners and use it as motivation. The 69% hate. The rest of us learn something from those that have achieved greatness.

Music: Drake's Best He Ever Had

I must admit. I wasn't much of Drake fan in 2010. I missed out on his initial wave and caught what his core fan would call the commercial or pop wave. Over time, his debut album, Thank me later, grew on me. With a few standout guest appearances at the end of 2010 on songs by Bun B, Rihanna, Jaime Foxx, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and J.Cole, Drake gradually won me over. He captured my attention so much that I was expecting Drake to own the rap game in 2011 as he married his back pack roots and pop fanbase.

Complex magazine did a great job of compiling a list of Drake's hottest versus in 2010.

Click here to check out the article. Let the debating begin!