First peek at 9th Wonder's 'Dream Merchant'

Having already served up two 9th Wonder produced tracks this week, I had second thoughts on back-to-back 9th Wonder posts... then I remembered that this is 9th Wonder, NCCU's own and the man who has single handedly dominated underground hip-hop the last 5 years.

Brooklyn On My Mind (Crooklyn Dodgers 3) - 9th Wonder feat. Mos Def, Jean Grae & Memphis Bleek

powered by ODEO
Good look Beauty. This is the third 'Crooklyn Dodgers' (first was lead single for Spike Lee's Crooklyn and second was put it out 1995 and produced by DJ Premier) and though I haven't heard the first two, the third one is BLAZING. I know everybody has heard of Mos and Memph, but for those who haven't really kept an ear to the streets, check out Jean Grae. She has done some extensive work with 9th previously, and is signed to Mos' BLACKSMITH label. Don't really think there is a female rapper today who is on her level... yeah, she's that nice. I love how Memph is working more and more with 9th these days. He will forever live in Jay-Z's shadow, ("as long as I'm [Jay-Z] alive, he's [Bleek] a millionaire") but he's starting to take on a different identity working with the backpackers. 9th Wonder, Mos Def, Jean Grae... and Memphis Bleek? Definitely not a bad look for him, and I hope he runs with it.

One Night Stand - Lloyd Banks (prod. by 9th Wonder)

powered by ODEO
Good look Honorable. Surprised to see G-Unit and 9th Wonder hooking up, but I can never fault anyone for trying a new sound. Like my boy said, "I can’t think of a 9th Wonder beat that I didnt like." Too true. Enjoy and let me know how y'all feel bout these in the comments.

Lil Wayne, 9th Wonder re-up

Been on the move with the Marching Sound Machine (Southern U-Baton Rouge/New Orleans last weekend, Bowie State this Saturday) so I really haven't been able to keep up with the happnans in the area. Luckily, you have the heiressapparent to keep you on that. Me, I got some new-new for ya. Two tracks by Lil Wayne, and two more produced by 9th Wonder. Let me know how you feel about these.

Studio Luv (Remix) - T-Pain feat. Lil Wayne

powered by ODEO
I'm assuming this will be a single by T-Pain, but this remix is already one of my favorites. As my boy AK says, it's on some "groove type shit." Wayne's verse is classic and the feel of the song isn't like any previous T-Pain record I've checked.

All Night Long - Robin Thicke feat. Lil Wayne

powered by ODEO
If you haven't heard Robin Thicke's new album, The Evolution of Robin Thicke, you haven't heard one of the best albums of 2006. With guest appearances by Faith Evans, Pharrel and Weezy F. the album is solid and has one the best album flows I've heard in a minute. This track is HOT!

Temptation - Elliot Ness feat. Big Pooh (prod. by 9th Wonder)

powered by ODEO
Yes, that's Elliot Ness from Da Band. I'm feelin this track forreal, and I am real impressed by Big Pooh's guest spot. 9th's production has come a long way from The Listening. Not saying that the production on that album was weak, but 9th is a certified beat maker. His creativeness is among the best.

Live in Amsterdam - Memphis Bleek feat. DJ Green Lantern (prod. by 9th Wonder)

powered by ODEO
The two tracks 9th did on 534 were some of the best he's ever done. This one, I'm not a big fan of, but it's better than a lot of hip-hop out there, so take it for what its worth. Props to Memph Bleek for recognizing one of the top producers in the game.

He's baaaaaack

Hey everyone! I'm starting to get the idea that I'm the one who's going to be making all the posts about things not going on in the Triangle area but I have no problem with taking on that role. Sorry for not having an update in a hot minute. School is of course getting crazier and crazier so its a little hard to post but trust when something this monumental happens, I can't help but write about it. I'm sure you all have heard about Hov coming back from the worst retirement in history to be releasing a new album this November entitled "Kingdom Come". Now lets all release a collective sigh of relief. I don't know about you, but over the past year or so I've been becoming more and more worried about the status of the hip hop and hopefully he has come back to resurrect it. Ok so here's everything I know about this album. The first single, "Show Me What You Got," will be out in October and Jay has just finished shooting the video in Monaco with, of course, Hype Williams (see picture above). The album's got a list of hot producers including the Neptunes, Timbaland (Who did an amazing job with the Justin Timberlake album. Get it if you haven't.), Kanye West, Dre and Chris Martin from Coldplay (?) Yea, we'll see how that one works out. I personally hope he doesn't have any features with any other rappers on this album but there's no conformation on that. I know some of you are hoping for a Jay and Nas track but to me this whole "we're best friends now" thing is getting a little corny. ALSO, word on the street is that Jay has been fired as President of Def Jam. I have heard this from various sources but its all been word of mouth and has not been reported yet. If it is reported, you can bet it will be reported as Jay having "stepped down" as President. It wouldn't look good for a label to fire their President who also happened to be one of their artists now would it?

Get it poppin' (Sept 14-16)

I will be out of town (Hampton, VA) this weekend, as NC Central has an by-week, but there is no lack of events poppin off in this area. So get you somethin to sip on and please get out of the crib this weekend. No reason not to.

FRIDAY
Greensboro

Sexxi in the City, hosted by Hoopz (Flavor of Love)
10 PM-3 AM
The Venue at 2401 Randleman Rd.

The Official VIRGO Birthday Bash, hosted by The 5th
11 PM-3 AM
Greensboro Ballroom


SATURDAY
Durham
Mighty 6th District Party, hosted by Omega Psi Phi (NCCU)
9 PM-2:30 AM
The Varsity Ale House on 3019 Auto Drive

Virgo House Party (UNC), hosted by DeZyre, Latoya & Moneika
8 PM-2 AM
Audubon Lake at 1302 Harrier Court

Chapel Hill

Don's & Diva's: Melik Brown & Whitney Frye's Birthday Bash, hosted by 84 Enterprises
10 PM-2 AM
Patio Loco at 407 W Franklin St

Raleigh

Island Fever, hosted by NC State's Caribbean Student's Association
10 AM-3 AM
NCSU Talley Student Center at 2610 Cates Avenue

Greensboro

Virgo Bash, hosted by DJ Statix
10 PM-3 AM
Gabriel's at 4312 Big Tree Way

more to come... post others in the comments section if you got em.

Recent Lil Wayne tracks

Make It Rain - Fat Joe feat. Lil Wayne

powered by ODEO
Hopefully this track is new to you, though it's been out for a lil while. Fat Joe and Weezy just finished taping the video, and it will be Joey Crack's first single off his new album Me, Myself, and I due to release on November 14. The production is by the genius Scott Storch, and yes that is Wayne sittin on a pallet of money. Who said Cash Money was dead?

Run It - Ransom feat. Lil Wayne & Rick Ross

powered by ODEO
Never heard of Ransom, but this production is rediculous. Anyone paired with Wayne looks a lil slow and weak, and Ransom just doesn't cut it.

Ridin - Mack Maine feat. Lil Wayne

powered by ODEO
Young Money representative, Mack Maine lays down a crazy hook. His verse is solid, but I've always thought Curren$y was the most talented member of YM (aside from the Best Rapper Alive, of course). This track reminds me of old school Cash Money, with the bouncin beat and the hand claps.

Let me know how you feel about these tracks...

New Little Brother

All We Know - Presidents feat. Little Brother

powered by ODEO
Good look Honorable Media


Little Brother is hip-hop's savior. Listening to the latest LB with the Presidents, I realized 9th Wonder used a sample from I'm Not to Blame by Bobby Byrd... the same song Just Blaze sampled for "U Don't Know" for Jay-Z on The Blueprint (and Blueprint 2). Being from Durham, I can't tell you how good it feels to hear my city repped so hard by LB. No matter how big they get, they are still real to where they came from. Oh and Phonte and Big Pooh are talkin about some real hoods on this track. Just goes to prove the point that even if you from the hood, it doesn't mean you gotta promote the hood mentality of guns, bitches and money.

Yo, this is for my n-ggas at retail
Lookin for a reason to re-bel
I'm rollin through your hood,
with them hot Playstations to resell;
Come on, don’t ask for the details, that’s Dirty Durham;
And Tay been out there,
since his days S&K down at South Square;
My pride I swallowed down;
Don’t get it twisted cause I’m listed in the "R" now
I still rep the Bull City, watch me holla out
- Phonte

Fresh Voice on "Never Drank The Kool-Aid"

As expected, the weekend was absolutely crazy. I took part in the event at Gabriel's following the NC A&T/WSSU game in Greensboro and if this is a sign of things to come this fall... wow. The Labor Day Classic went off without a hitch in Durham, and the events (stepshow and after party) surrounding the game were a huge success. As for the battles of the bands... A&T and NCCU, period.

We have a new contributer to "Posted On The Yard" who goes by the name heiressapparent. She is a junior at UNC-Chapel Hill but hails from the DC area and is a New Yorker at heart. She just completed an internship with MTV in Times Square, so she has plenty to offer on music as well as a eye for fashion. Very opinionated, she brings experience and a fresh voice to these posts. heiressapparent's latest:

So as far as I understand I've been given the opportunity to write about what I like, what I don't like, and more importantly what I think you'll like. Now, I know we've all started classes already and professors have been doing nothing but giving out reading assignments or textbooks to buy, but I, being the amazing student that I am (not), have found the perfect distraction. It’s a book. Yeah, I said it, a book. Now before you go and dismiss me as a lame, I must tell you that this is not as much a book as it is a compellation of interviews with some of the biggest names in hip-hop and pop culture. The author is Toure, a highly acclaimed hip-hop journalist who is a feature writer for Rolling Stone and most recently a correspondent on BET Style. He even had his own show on MTV2 (for all you Direct TV subscribers), where he interviewed MC’s as well as leaders in the black community. The book is called Never Drank the Kool-Aid, and features interviews with all the hip-hop greats, (Biggie, Tupac, Jay, Eminem, 50, Kanye, ?uestlove) as well as pop culture icons and political figures (Prince, Colin Powell, Al Sharpton). The man even has an article entitled "Condoleezza Rice is a House Negro", which in my opinion is reason enough to buy the book in itself. To all you athletes, I didn't forget you, and neither did Toure. He has an amazing article on UNC-Chapel Hill's greatest export, Michael Jordan, which may in fact change your opinion on the “greatest man to ever play the game.”

Toure is able to delve into the personal lives of these seemingly untouchable artists, and more importantly explains how their artistic image affects African-American culture. This book was my summertime obsession. I definitely wouldn't call myself an avid reader but it can easily be read in 3-4 days. It’s the perfect distraction because you are reading about something you're interested in...but, still reading! So go on and put down that copy of 1984 and pick up Never Drank the Kool-Aid, it is definitely sure to entertain and inform.