The Week in Review with Flo Dirt…

Posted on Sunday, August 10, 2008
Tags: Big-boi , isaac hayes , Jay-Z , killer mike , Nas , Ras Kass , rock the bells

Yo, what up family? Been a minute, I know. I’m here and I never left. I’ve been watchin’… Peepin’… Studyin’ and now it’s time to get it off my chest. Let’s start with some current events:

1. Rest in peace to Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac. Two legends, both in their own right. I’m a 70’s baby so Mr. Hayes probably was on in the background when I was conceived. I have to respect that man. Portions of hip hop wouldn’t exist were it not for him. You couldn’t reference “Shaft” the same way, that’s for sure. It would have gone unnoticed like “Terminate On Sight.” Oh, snap. You bought that? And for Mr. Mac, man I can’t call it. The last few seasons of his show just weren’t the same and it’s hard to watch someone change before your eyes. God bless them both and you know you’re in good hands now. My prayers to the families who have lost loved ones this year. I’m with you, more than you know.

2. Jigga’s creating another Blueprint, eh? Word?? I was just thinking the other day that if he and Nas really weren’t concerned about sales and really wanted to give people what they want, they could release the most important record of the decade and maybe ever if they collaborated and let Premo do the entire production. I mean, you got people putting out free music all the time. They would bridge generational gaps with one record. OR… Bring everyone in that wants to work on it and just make a dope ass album… Dre, Kanye, Hi-Tek, Toomp, whoever. I like the Premo idea. Word is the next Blueprint is Kanye’s baby though. We’ll see. At this point, I’m buying it even if the whole shit was produced on a Fisher Price My-First-Keyboard. Where do I pay??

3. Speaking of Nas… So, I missed the NYC stop of Rock The Bells and now I want to jump off a building. He brought out Jay for “Success” and “Black Presidents.” How come my NYC heads didn’t fill me in?? I’m already shopping for tickets to next year’s event… The show is always the biggest shit in NYC. They give the rest of the country a tease but not the whole shabang. What’s up with that??

4. Big Boi and Killer Mike squashed their beef. I like that. I mean, rappers resort to music to air grievances most times and it’s so kindergarten. I like that they just met up like brothers are supposed to and let it ride. Killer Mike really is a monster though. They keep sleepin on him and he’s gonna shake up the world. Watch out. Now if we can only get a GOOD Dungeon Family record out. It can drop on the same day as the Jay/Esco joint I’m promoting in #2 above…

5. Back to Rock The Bells for a moment. Tribe Called Quest got back together… Again… One more time at the show. I caught the “reunion” a few years back in San Diego at Street Scene. I mean, call it what you want. Do shows and keep us happy. Tip says no more new records. And you know what, I’m actually ok with that. The Eagles just got off the road and released a new record but do you think the fans give a shit? I am sure they sold dumb records at Wal Mart but our fans keep asking for shit they don’t really want. “Yo, I need that new Dogg Pound record man.” Then when it drops, they don’t buy it. And if they do cop it, they keep holding it to “Dogg Food” standards. Not every Tribe record will be “Midnight Marauders.” Like I said on some other site recently, “I love Rakim but if he never makes another record, I still love Rakim. Don’t put something out that’s not dope. I will always still bump the first three albums…”

6. Lastly, my dude Ras Kass dropped “Institutionalized…” this past Tuesday. I am incredibly biased on this one because he opened for Ra at House of Blues a few years ago and he’s been writing me back from behind the walls lately too. All I’m going to say about the record is that I feel it. I’m not falling over myself to sell it to you but when Ras speaks, I listen man. If you’re not a fan, go back and cop “Soul On Ice.” This dude is unmatched on the mic. I mean, seriously, content, delivery, style… It’s all there. And when the good Dr. gives you a co-sign, that’s all you need. I got mine on iTunes. Just go pick it up. You’ll be happy with this one, not like that day when you realized you spent your money on a Jim Jones record when Hell Rell’s always been the best one in the group… I’m just saying…What up, Ruger???