Watch: "Bring Me Down" by Saigon

Saigon - Music - More Music Videos

I have been a long time fan of rapper and actor, Saigon. This new video premiered today on MTV.com. It is real talk, maybe even his best track or sickest rhyme yet. Please believe...

Check out some real shit: "The MC" by Wale

I get really excited when I hear a new hip hop artist I like. I'm such a backpacker snob when it comes to my hip hop.I can't help it. Hip Hop was the best in the '90s when I was really absorbing the genre and it has never been the same for me since. Sure I like a few artists here and there like Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Shad, Notar and a select few others, but it is too few and far between. I hate to sound old and bitter, but the accessible hip hop these kids now grow up hearing on the radio and BET these days is just dumbed down crap made for ringtone sales.

That being said, I get gem or two emailed to me now and then. The latest find for me this time is a D.C. rapper named Wale, pronounced like "Wall-A". I'm sure he's been around the underground and East Coast scene a while but that doesn't help me hear it down here in Austin. I like Wale's music because it sounds like where he is from. Washington D.C. has long been known for that go-go music influence and I have always loved it. That go-go sound is what made me tolerate that old Beyonce song "Crazy In Love". Combine that with his sick flow, unique voice and dope lyrics and you have Wale.

If you love real hip hop, welcome Wale into your iPod as well. Visit his official website here.

Remember Saigon from 'Entourage'?

I was watching some early Entourage episodes tonight and then came across this video someone emailed me. I was glad to see it. I've had a download of Saigon's album for a while but haven't really heard much about him since. He is still one of the few rapper's out there who I think can lead us out of this new movement of ringtone rap and back into an era of lyrical, content driven hip hop. I also think most rap is soft now too, so it's nice to hear something intelligent with a rough edge. Check the video...he's rapping about some real tough subjects.

Music Video: 'Diary Of A Broke Nigga' by Jay Rock

 Hip hop is supposed to be urban poetry put to music. When I was growing up hip hop was hungry, raw and had something real to say. Somewhere along the line it lost its edge. Changing styles, trends coming and going, the internet, ringtone sales, etc have all changed the game. I hate to admit it, but I stopped listening to most hip hop that came out after the year 2000.

One thing I noticed is how the West Coast presence diminished in main stream radio hip hop and magazines. The only West Coast artists getting love were the mega stars like Snoop, Cypress Hill, The Game and a few select others. It is not a long list.

Well the other day I was checking out my reader and scanning through the various music blogs and websites I follow when I came across a music video from West Coast rapper, Jay Rock. The music video is for his single "Diary Of A Broke Nigga" which also featuresKendrick Lamar and Giddy. I just wanted to share it with you all because it is one of the few hip hop songs I've been excited about this year.



The video was directed by AplusFilmz. Watch their videos if you get a chance. These dudes should be winning some awards.

New Travis Barker Video featuring The Cool Kids: "Jump Down" in 3D

The Cool Kids can do no wrong in my book. Getting down with them is one of the best decisions Travis Barker has made. This video will hurt your eyes without 3D glasses, so if you don't have them just listen. It's dope.