"Cudderisback" Gets A Video

"Stay home a lot, no tv/Just thoughts, and a heap of good weed..."

This line here that opens "Cudderisback" could sum up Kid Cudi in a nutshell, but i think this awesome video does it even better.

"During a stop in Boston for his latest tour run Kid Cudi and the crew put together a little documentary. Directed by Jason Goldwatch/DECON, the video goes to the tune of "Cudderisback". It's pure jokes so enjoy and laugh a bit."

You can also check out my review of the track from way back in December, here.

Cudi is easily one of the most original and inventive rappers in hip-hop today, and let me tell you, the man knows how to put on a show. Cudi rocked the house at Irving Plaza last week, performing great versions of "Up, Up & Away", "CuDi Zone" and "Simple As...".

If you are a hip-hop fan and haven't checked out his album, "Man on the Moon", please listen to it, you won't be disappointed.

DJ Booth: Queen of Apologies, Kyle Lucas

So called “emo rap” and hip-hop have always had an uneasy relationship, but recently the hybrid has produced some sick music. Kid Cudi could be considered an “emo-rapper” and Kanye West’s 808s and Heartbreak might be the most mainstream example.

DJBooth regular Kyle Lucas takes the genre to another level on his brand new Queen of Apologies, which samples the track of the same name by The Sounds. Producers Patrick Stump & Simon Illa know exactly when to bring the original sample in and when to let Lucas do his thing, as the up-and-coming natural born lyricist spits lines about a past (kind of messed up) love on the track, showing some true emotion when he says, “I’m trying to get over her, trying to stomach all the thoughts and seeing her with someone else.”

Regardless of how you feel about or define “emo rap,” this is just good music. Queen of Apologies is off HipNOTT Records’ 2010 Takeover Vol. 1, dropping Monday, January 11 right here on DJBooth.net.

Read more: http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/kyle-lucas-queen-apologies/#ixzz0cKO0USjM

DJ Booth: Ali (Of St. Lunatics), Survival

The hip-hop world hasn’t heard much from the St. Lunatics in a while; their last studio album was released way back in 2001. But with a new mixtape on the way, Lunatics founder Ali is taking center stage on the new track, Survival.

Produced by SupaSAG and also featuring, of course, St. Lunatic member Murphy Lee and newcomer Futurre the track has a familiar Midwest vibe reminiscent of their early work.

Naturally, the rappers frequently name drop their home city of St. Louis, but they also take the time to dish out some survival advice, though much of it is pretty vague: “keep your head up,” and “never give up” are just a couple. Fittingly, considering it is his song, Ali has the wittiest lines of the track, dropping some hilarious Wheel of Fortune and Dr. Phil references.

For more Midwest love, be sure to check out both Ali’s The Champ Iz Herr mixtape, available now, and the St. Lunatics’ City Free album, set to drop in sometime this year.

Read more: http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/ali-survival/#ixzz0bzZtcvYc

DJ Booth: Kelis, "Acapella"

Earlier this year, after splitting up with husband Nas, singer Kelis found herself single and very pregnant. A new album was probably the last thing on her mind, but what a difference a few months can make.

On her new single, Acapella, Kelis talks about love and life and shows her range and talent as a singer. Producer David Guetta, whose last DJBooth feature Memories earned him reader approval, proves he is a master at mixing up sounds, and knows just when to slow the beat down for dramatic effect.

Even though the track has an energetic, upbeat feel, vocally Kelis is working through some real emotional pain, sounding much more mature than she did in her chart topper Milkshake, from way back in 2003. Her lost love and emotional pain is perfectly described in a metaphor, as she sings, “Before you my whole life was acapella, now a symphony is the only song to sing.”

Acapella will be off Kelis’ currently untitled fifth studio album, set for a release in early 2010.

DJ Booth: Pill, "Hear Somebody Comin'"

I recently started contributing to a music website, DJBooth.net, here's my latest entry:

Many artists use their origins as an inspiration for their music, whether it’s their state, city, or neighborhood. Pill, who hails from the “Pink City” block in Atlanta, has found exactly such inspiration on his new track Hear Somebody Comin’.

The record has a gritty, realistic feel that proves Pill is an artist on the rise. Produced by Tha Bizness, the second the beat drops, a loud siren blares in the background and Pill immediately drops the ominous hook: “I think I hear somebody coming.”

His first verse comes in quick and fast, but is smooth, and his flow is reminiscent of rapper Papoose. Pill has his fingers on the pulse of pop culture and proves it with lines like “I’m the caped crusader, you gonna have to unmask me.”

Hear Somebody Comin is the first leak off the new Evil Empire & DJ Skee Presents 4075: The Refill Mixtape, which is set to drop November 17.