Lyric Lounge: Kendrick Lamar - The Heart Pt. 2

How's it going everyone? Been awhile. Here's a new thing I've always wondered about doing, and figured I might as well give it a shot. This new little installment will highlight songs that I would classify under as one of those lyrical masterpieces you only come by so often. Granted this is my opinion (y'all know how much I love Kendrick Lamar), so this is no way means they're better than your favorite rapper. Although, Kendrick is. Anyway.

The Heart Pt. 2 is one of Kendrick's self-confessed favorite songs he's ever done. Off of his "(O)verly (D)edicated)" mixtape, It really does have a lot of heart in it, showing him pour out his feelings about life, society, and everything in between. Spitting over The Roots' "A Piece of Light" (one of the best standalone beats out), he really does the beat justice and it feels natural with his lyrics. That's really hard to do. There's some lines here that literally make put me in awe every time I hear them, even though I listen to this song all the time. 

I provided a streaming link, along with the lyrics below after the jump. I'll highlight my favorite lyrics below in bold. If you've STILL slept on dude until now (or have never heard/paid attention to the song), you gotta read along while Kendrick kicks the latest facts.

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A little slow nowadays

I apologize for the lack of updates as of recently. I was hoping posting up "NoYork!" would keep you guys satisfied for awhile though, haha. School just started so I'm having that occupy most of my time. I got a few othe posters who can pick up the slack, no doubt. Expect a post by me very soon though!

TiRon - 60901

I don't think it's possible to not appreciate the product of separate instruments coming together; AKA live music. When a band comes together to bring handcrafted music to its listeners; that's one of the highest forms of art. When an MC does his thing over said art-form; now that's on a whole other level. TiRon's homage to his hometown is some beautiful art, indeed.

60901 - TiRon

Santana - While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Now, now. I'm not going to sit here and try to convince the masses that anyone can come close to the magic the Beatles made with their music. However, every once in a while a decent (dare I say amazing?) cover of a classic song does surface, and that is certainly the case here. With the help of singer India.Arie, Mr. Santana brings us his version of an all-time great song.

While My Guitar Gently Weeps (feat. India.Arie)

Blu - NoYork! (2011?)

The man that needs no introduction. And well, if you need it, I made a megapost about him a few months ago that will satisfy your needs for EVERYTHING Blu. 

Blu performed at Rock the Bells (LA) over the weekend, and was seen throwing out free copies of his upcoming album out into the crowd. Word on the street is that his label still hasn't given him a release date...so here we are. He knows what he was doing. Based on his latest twitter status -- which has a youtube channel that has all the songs --  he wants it out. So here it is. Tracklist (about official as you can get other than a few grammatical nitpicks) and link below.

*includes all 4 possible album covers, along with the one shown above mosaic-style (my favorite)

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Seven - Go Slow (prod. DJ Premier)

Preemo's talents can't just be limited to the United States. He teams up with Swiss singer Seven and the legendary Talib Kweli to bring us a groovy dance-floor track that's sure to be a hit at any party. Enjoy, my fellow hip hop heads.

Upcoming Artist: Dom Kennedy

Dom Kennedy is a steady contributor to Cali's resurgence. While he isn't the illest lyricist, he brings a nice laid back flow over top-notch production. Trust, you'll come to appreciate this dudes cruisin'-on-a-sunday-with-the-top-down sound. Below are some choice cuts off of each of his most recent releases, for those in need of catching up.

It Was Beautiful - off of Future Street/Drug Sounds

Locals Only - off of the critically acclaimed From The Westside, With Love

On The Way Home - off of The Original Dom Kennedy

Graduate - off of From The Westside, With Love II

Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland (1968)

And I'm back again. I'll probably end up making these little explanatory introductions shorter in the future since it takes too much time (and I'm pretty sure no one reads them anyway). Jimi Hendrix needs no introduction. So yeah...that was my introduction.

I've always heard he's a legend but never really got around to listen to his stuff. Well, it's safe to say he's an icon for a reason. Electric Ladyland is some good shit, plain and simple. You're either gonna listen to it, have listened to it, or you won't. Not much I can tell you that you haven't already heard about that man. That being said, streams and link down below of the classic release.

BTW: Note at the end of every post there's a notation of who wrote it. I'm the main blogger Jon, while my boys Olajuwon and Anthony (FiveNine) pick up the slack on other days. Dueces.

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Long Arm - The Branches

So I look in my queue tonight of about 50+ records waiting to be spun. I come across the album Long Arm - The Branches with no recollection of when I got the record (This is common with me, when I leave my queue to grow too long)

Anyway, after playing the first couple of tracks, I'm quickly reminded why I chose to add it to my collection. What can only be described as a combination of smooth jazz incorporated with abstract instrumental hip-hop fused together. You can't help but feel a strong self and a connection to the natural world around you when this is playing.

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Azad Right - Spiderwebs

Azad Right is a Santa Monica native who happens to be a classically trained pianist/violinist. The beautiful piano riffs he plays in this track are very easy on the ears to say the least. Oh, and he happens to rap pretty well too. If you like what you hear, check out his website to cop his latest releases.

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[Lateef & the Chief] Maroons: Ambush (2004)

Here's another album you should definitely check out. Maroons is a Quannum side project composed of producer Chief Xcel (of Blackalicious) and Lateef the Truthspeaker. An incredibly dope album; something I've come to expect from the West Coast label for the last decade or so. Xcel laces the album with some of the funkiest hip-hop beats I've ever heard in my life, while Lateef spits...well the truth. 

Pick up the album to discover an album only really talked about on the left coast. Great music should be showcased worldwide. Stream and link below.

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Chuuwee - This One For You

I love hearing tracks from rappers I've never heard of before and instantly vibing with them. That's what happened with this cut off Chuuwee's Lee Bannon-assisted "Hot N' Ready" mixtape; I now pass it on to you guys to enjoy. So...enjoy!

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Mac Lethal Vs. Janye Zest?

So while I and pretty much the rest of the world Watched The Throne the other night, a single thought repeatedly crossed my mind as I hastily skipped through the tracks; "This entire album lacks passion". I already knew people would still go nuts over the Janye Zest collabo, but I had to wonder if all the hype is truly deserved.

And this is where Mac Lethal comes in. The Kansas City native impressed with me his latest effort, North Korean BBQ so I decided to go through his earlier releases and one track really stood out from all the rest. 'Backward' is a whirlwind of Mac's emotions, and it was an extremely refreshing listen compared to the boring flows/content most "mainstream" rappers have to offer (I'm looking at you, Mr. Carter). I'm not comparing Kanye and Jay to Mac as artists per se; I'm comparing songs dripping with swag (Ni**a's In Paris, really?) to songs bursting with raw emotion. You be the judge here...

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Full Crate & Mar - Conversations With Her EP (2010)

Singer Mar (left) and producer Full Crate (right)

I'm back...and I'm back with gifts! Been a little M.I.A. lately, and in order to make it up, I'm presenting you perhaps my favorite little project from 2010. Hailing from the great country that is the Netherlands, Full Crate & Mar are a musical duo that makes beautiful soul music with hip-hop beats. The Singer Mar flows perfectly over the smooth and silky beats that Full Crate brings with ease. One of those albums you and your lady can enjoy together, ya feel me?

With only 5 official songs on the EP, you better hope they're all quality right? You're in luck here; each song is a certified classic that I know I'll be listening to 10 years down the road. The "She Was Fly" music video is beautiful -- real talk. I've also included a Freddie Joachim remix to their underground hit "She Was Fly". I know I say this all the time, but this is a must download. You'll thank me sooner rather than later. Streams, videos, and link below.

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RJD2 - Smoke And Mirrors

Here to bring you a nice track to trip out to on this beautiful Saturday night...RJD2 is a DJ/Producer hailing from the mid-west. Perhaps known best as 1/2 of the Rhymesayers group Soul Position (along with rapper Blueprint), RJD2 specializes in making music that makes you feel as if you're scuba diving...in a cloud.

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Maroon 5 - Secret (DJ Premier Remix)

We all know DJ Premier is responsible for great music, and this remixed cut off of Maroon 5's "Call And Response: The Remix Album" is no exception. Preemo masterfully flips an acoustic guitar-laden song into an up-tempo hip hop masterpiece.


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Weekly Tuesday Track: Jeru the Damaja - Tha Bullshit

Jeru the Damaja is simply one of the illest to ever do it. He's definitely one of my favorite rappers, let alone east coast cats. He just had that certain energy and charisma that doesn't come along that often. If you need a lesson on everything Jeru, drop me a comment and I'm sure I can help you out.

This isn't the best Jeru has to offer; rather it's just one of my favorite Jeru songs and definitely one of the best concepts. He basically pokes fun at the whole mantra given to hip hop of foreign cars, super models, and yachts. At just 2 minutes, it's definitely worth a quick listen. Stream and link below. 

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