Old School Sundays: Kanye West & Jamie Foxx’s 2005 VMA Performance
Lil’ Wayne’s VMA Rehearsal
Fast forward 2 5:10 for a lil’ LQ version of a NEW track by Kanye West called “Heartless” and tune in 2 the VMAs 2nite for what a performance by Kanye where he may perform that track “Heartless” or more likely the other NEW track “Love LockDown”. I’m in VMA mood as well w/ a lil’ Old School performance by Kanye West & Jamie Foxx from 2005 that I always liked. And Lil’ Wayne checks in from 2nite’s VMAs above as well. Don’t sleep on the R&B trax below from Ryan Leslie, Joe, & a hot, uptempo, Danja-produced track by Casely and a hip hop track from FNF’s Bishop G! There’s also a couple videos at the bottom w/ the video premiere 2 one of my fav. R-Les trax, “Addiction” f/ Cassie & Fabolous and a Jay Electronica interview! I’ll be checkin’ in asap after the VMAs or early 2morrow afternoon! Enjoy!
Producer: Jazze Pha - 2002 track off the album, Better Dayz*Tibs Fav.™
Old School Sundays is back after a brief hiatus (still waitin’ on a mixtape idea that is perfect for OSS, hence the delay..), but I was inspired by the recent heat from T.I. 2 find somethin’ old school of his that some of u may have not heard before. The above song is certainly not rare, but it is also a good 6 years since it has been released and I know T.I. has gained a lot of casual fans since then, most of whom might not have ever heard of this track until now! It’s got a nice Jazze beat along w/ 2 of the best 2 ever flow on the mic showin’ why in 2Pac & T.I.! I always was feelin’ Johnta on the hook as well, but the story is T.I.’s breakout verse which certainly propelled his career, still in its early stages at the time of this release, 2 the superstar status he has attained now. So def check this track out if u don’t have it already; it’s a MUST-HAVE for hip hop fans! Enjoy!
I was searching for inspiration for this installment of Old School Sundays and simply thought of one thing I’m looking forward 2 - the first video from CRS for the “Everyone Nose RMX” and it’s directed by none other then the subject of 2day’s Old School Sundays - famed music video director Hype Williams. I did a little digging at his official website - hypewilliams.com - 2 look at his long list of music videos he has directed since the early 90s. Hype’s videos are always so artistic and unique that many hip hop and R&B artists pay big money 2 get him 2 direct the video for their latest single. So below, I found just a few of the many examples, including a couple old videos for classics by Nas and Puff Daddy (at the time) and one of Hype’s more recent videos for Lupe Fiasco’s “Superstar” (also lost in our archives). So take some time out and get hyped for what Hype has in store for CRS’ “Everyone Nose RMX!” Hah, I know.. hilarious. Enjoy!
Nas “If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)” f/ Lauryn Hill
For this installment of Old School Sundays, check out a track from 2005 by the first lady of Lupe’s FNF record label - Shayla G! She’s another Chicago rapper who brings it with a hard edge and witty lyrics. The first verse is a perfect illustration of her unique style, flow, and wordplay (and I personally love the Chris Farley reference.. I loved him). So definitely peep what the talented 1st & 15th record label has 2 offer if u are unfamiliar with Shayla G. Get familiar with her because we should be getting some NEW music from Shayla G, later in the week. Also, big ups 2 our friend KayCee for an exciting opportunity for our Chicago readers with a Lollapalooza after party that everyone is invited 2 on August the 3rd (next Sunday). All the details are on the flyer below (click 2 enlarge) and it should feature live performances from some exciting, up and coming Chicago artists that have been featured on GWHH before - He Say, She Say & Mic Terror!
Producer: J. Dilla - 1995 Track from album, Labcabincalifronia*Tibs Fav.™
“Can’t keep runnin’ awaaaayyaaayyy…”
Aite, I know this installment of Old School Sundays may not be the rare track the hip hop fans were expecting, but I believe there 2day’s listeners of the new generation of hip hop have not heard of this song - a song that is truly classic! In 1995, the late J. Dilla blessed the 4 MCs from the West Coast called The Pharcyde with an incredible beat that the members killed with a meaningful story, message, and addictive chorus! This is really a track that I put on every now and then still 2day and was inspired 2 post this not only because I’m sure people have not heard this great track, but also because one of my favorite shows, Entourage, featured the track at the end credits of an episode that I re-watched sometime recently. Anyway, all hip hop fans will love this track and even the casual fans will be sure 2 enjoy it. So if u don’t have it in ur collection already, it’s a MUST-DL above! Enjoy!
“It’s Ninteen Ninety-Five..! / And now that I’m older / stress weighs on my shoulders / heavy as boulders / but I told ya’ll / until the day that I die, I still / will be a soldier / that’s all I told ya / and that’s all I showed ya / and all this calamity is rippin’ my sanity / Can it be I’m a celbriityyy?”
- The Pharcyde “Runnin’” (beg. of 3rd verse that always gets me..!)
For Old School Sundays, I wanted to reflect back to the golden age of DMX with some of my favorite tracks from his album, “And Then There Was X”. His recent arrests, and negative press can’t make me forget his talented body of work, including his role in one of the best movies ever made called, “Belly”. Check out some great material below.
So first, I’ll hit ya with a brand NEW live performance featuring Lupe Fiasco above! It is the FULL, 27 minute set he did in Glastonbury the other day, but trust me, it is worth the time because Lupe turns in yet another amazing performance. And not only Lupe as well because his guest stars shine just as bright with Matthew Santos and especially Sarah Green lending their talents 2 the set. I gotta say, the more I see and hear Sarah Green, especially in this video and up close, in person at the Glow In The Dark Tour, the more I am impressed by her. The way she enhances the live performances of some songs is incredible. Case in point, “Streets On Fire” - my favorite song from the live set, quite possibly because I didn’t see it at Glow In The Dark, but it is ridiculous nonetheless with Sarah Green echoing the chorus! Other favs include, “Hip Hop Saved My Life” and “Little Weapon” where he goes a capella. I was further impressed with the outdoor venue and HUGE crowd and how Lupe had the crowd going! “Hip Hop Saved My Life” AND “Superstar” especially, when DJ Simonsayz drops the beat and Lupe lets the crowd sing, that’s just chilling! It reminded me of an old school performance that I included below for Old School Sundays, featuring fellow Chicago rapper, Kanye West. When I watched Lupe’s performance, I was reminded about Kanye’s electric performance in front of an even bigger outdoor crowd from last year. All I remembered was that it was somewhere in England and he performed “Stronger” live for the first time. After a series of Google searches, I re-located this video and included the medley below! Performing in front of a crowd that large has got 2 be a thrill for the artist and such an experience for the fans that it makes me want 2 experience that atmosphere as well. This was another sweet performance by Mr. West and like I said, the debut of “Stronger” live, but also the ‘Stronger Shades’, haha! Peep the videos above and below and enjoy!
Kanye West LIVE Medley @ Concert For Diana
(OLD SCHOOL, ENTIRE LIVE SET FROM 2007 f/ “Gold Digger”, “Touch The Sky”, “Stronger”, & “Diamonds From Sierra Leone”)
So here’s a quick-hit video for Old School Sundays and Father’s Day! It is a creative top 10 list (with no order) on YouTube featuring 10 verses of hip hop songs throughout the years that are dedicated to fathers or written in the perspective of the father. It is a very neat compilation and features some real nice verses from a couple of my all-time favs - Eminem & 2Pac as well as Nas, Lil’ Wayne, and many more that u can see below! If you want a full track of one of these songs, feel free 2 request it in our ShoutBox or by writing a comment on the post. Enjoy and once again Happy Father’s Day!
01. Xzibit “Foundation”
02. Remo Da Rapstar “Happy Fathers Day”
03. The Game “Like Father Like Son”
04. Nas “Me and You”
05. Lil’ Wayne “Everything”
06. Ja Rule “Daddy’s Little Baby”
07. Lil’ Wayne “Stuntin’ Like My Daddy”
08. Nas & Olu Dara “Bridging the Gap”
09. 2Pac “Letter 2 My Unborn”
10. Eminem “Mockingbird”
For Old School Sundays, I was thinkin’ of some Chicago stuff 2 put up and I stumbled upon a video that interested me… a collaboration of underground and rare hip hop from artists of Chicago. They include Twista, The Legendary Traxter, Juice, Quazaar f/ Verbal Kent, but the highlight is the much-talked about freestyle battle between CHI-Town legends Common & Kanye West, before they were CHI-Town legends! They playfully went at each other and the story was that Common won the battle (as told on his Finding Forever DVD if I’m not mistaken) and I think I’d agree altho ‘Ye comes with the best (and weakest) lines. Judge for yourself above! And below, some NEW-school Chicago trax - from up and comer Mikkey Halsted (thx again Andrew) and the R&B representatives, One Chance! CHI-TOWN UP! Enjoy!
***And a special, happy 31st birthday goes out 2 the biggest name in the rap game 2day… Mr. Kanye West! Much love from everyone at GWHH and all your fans! Congrats on the wave of success and here’s 2 another great year for u, Kanye! - Max G., Sgt. Tibs, & gowhere?***
Producer: No I.D. - 1994 Track from the album, Resurrection*Tibs Fav.
My installment of Old School Sundays is inspired by Common’s NEW single “Universal Mind Control” f/ Pharrell, which I’ve had on repeat when I’m not listening 2 Usher’s NEW album Here I Stand (in stores now!). So I thought 2 myself, what was the track that really got me into Common - and that is the classic above - “I Used To Love H.E.R.” Now I know a lot of u hip hop heads likely have this in ur library already, but I hope 2 turn some new heads onto Common for those who aren’t fully into the Chi-Town rapper yet. While Be was the first album I got of Common’s, it was this track that really elevated Common into elite level in my book as the personification of hip hop as a female love interest is straight up genius, and not 2 mention, well-executed! This track really put Common on the map as the lyrics on the entire 2nd album of his, Resurrection, lifted his credibility as a gifted lyricist 2 the mainstream. So if u haven’t heard this track (sounds NOTHING like the NEW single “Universal Mind Control”, might I add), DL it above PLEASE! U won’t regret it. Unfortunately, I was unable 2 attend Common’s performance in DePaul due 2 weather complicating the concert and a lot of ppl unable 2 get tickets; however, Max G. was able 2 attend and he may be posting a review or his thoughts on the concert very soon. He txted me that “Common was ill”, but he may go into more detail than that, haha. Anyway, the official music video is below as well! Enjoy!
Kanye West Performs NEW Track “Heartless” - Old School VMAs… MORE
