Thank you, thank you, thank you. You're far too kind (for still checking out HFE)...
Jay-Z- Encore
Now can I get an encore? Do you want more????? Shit, it kind of makes sense. Now what the hell was I waiting for??? I've been gone for close to 60 days so an encore is in store for those still in attendance. It's safe to call this an encore, hopefully a permanent one, as the content and themes are still the same. I want my residency back.
I see the irony too. How fresh? Fresh??? What the fuck are you talking about? Dormant's more like it. Not a coma because I've been moving around. Heavy in the streets in fact. Nothing rotten or putrid though. No nasty stench when you walk in the room. I kept the AC on high so not to let all the produce go to waste. But you can only look at the same zucchini and red pepper for so long. Don't worry, we got some shipments on the horizon. No Fresh Direct, we hit straight from the farm. Please wipe your dirty footwear on the welcome mat. This time of season is special too- tomatoes!!!! I love me a good tomato. Matches my all red Nike Air Max '09s.
Freeway- Where U Been
Howfresh where you been????
Between eating, drinking, traveling, going to shows, listening to every new Cam record ad nauseum and hand-stitching the fitted cap above, where could I find the time? My clock only has 24 hours in day. It's pretty amusing that most of the things I partake in are fueled by the notion that I will write about them (eventually). Eventually finally knocked on my door so let's crack those knuckles and get the keyboard keyboarding. Believe you me, I got material. Classic Material!! Classic Material!! Howfresh Eats with the Classic!!! Classic Material!! Classic Material!! Now all I need is the discipline. Self-control is far from my strong suit.
We all know I love the H. Unhealthily? Obsessively? Narcissistically?? H-ubristcally?? I disagree with the last 2. Please don't misinterpret my H-ness for conceit. Personally I find it anything but the truth but there are some H-aters out there. Unfortunately the H Well is rather arid. There are some joints out there but the idea of shelling out $60 plus for a fitted doesn't agree with me anymore.
So we improvise. Think outside the box (or front panels). And now an entire new universe has been introduced. A while back I copped a Frank's Chop Shop joint and worked around the "F". The double-sided extra thick bill isn't aesthetically pleasing and compromises the fit of the entire cap. A shame because there's a plethora of them. "F" caps are hard to come by. Marlins, U of Florida, a minor league team hear or there. So I went left and got cozy with the "W". The Nationals cap is perfect. A clean, respectable W. Bordering on hoighty-toity with some flair. Finger out when I sip my chamomile, but I'll still say hello and acknowledge your presence. I'm a people person. Don't get it twisted.
Big shouts to Amidou up on 109th for lacing the kid. Lids and other authorized New Era stores are prohibited from touching the front panels. So I dig deeper. In criminal, stealth like fashion, he did a great job. I fully recommend his services. We got more in the works so stay tuned.
The H rocks 40" cables, eating black label, My chain hang down to my dick my piece bang glass tables...
Mobb Deep- Quiet Storm
Aw man homie. This blogging shit is not a game. You knew it was inevitable. Shirts, hats, plaques, signs, belt buckles, carpets, rings, pendants, tattoos, name changes, etc. This was no accident. Heading back from Opening Day, THE YANKEES WIN!! THE YAAAAAAANKEES WIN!!, I came across the H on diamonds. It just so happened to be directly behind the BX12 bus stop (see the reflection). Had time to kill so I'm peeping the jewels. You know, the same old bullshit- gaudy iced out watches, Jesus pieces, a variety of chains, some G-Shocks, rings, bracelets and so on. Sandwiched between a bodega and 99 cent store. I wouldn't call it high-end.
Huh? What? An H piece? For real? In all my years of truck jewelry window shopping I can't recall seeing that H. H-ayzeus, but no H. Ya dig? Speaking of which, the H was sitting between a script J and a Jesus piece. J for Judas maybe? I'm not even trying to get biblical. No higher meaning necessary. What cat sold this back to this place? H-ector, H-orhay. I'm thinking it was a Spanish dude. Just a H-unch. How many bags of H-eron were sold to furnish that piece? Doesn't matter, the blood has already been washed. At least that's what I'll think to remove the guilt once I purchase the fucking thing. I was in front of the store again Sunday following yet another Yankees victory. But you already knew that. The intentions of inquiring about the price were there, but the bus came, and with Sunday MTA schedules I didn't want to risk it. I'll be back shortly. Turns out there's an African restaurant I want to hit several blocks south on Jerome Ave. so we might 1-2 punch it.
When dealing with baby princess cut diamonds in a platinum setting I can't just throw any H fitted out there. We need some majestic shit. I believe the above cap fits the bill and then some. Baby H-ippo skin dyed in teal extracts from the H-imalyan H-ighlands. I know, this shit sounds crazy, but I couldn't even make this up if I tried. I don't even know how this bad boy made it through customs. Baby hippo poaching is illegal. It's sad.
Found this in the mail about a month ago after a h-omegirl from the West Side looked out for the kid. Another Hall of Fame"Mighty H" creation. The Zeus-like lightning bolt, backyard speak with thunder... Peep the detail. Very soft to the touch, as baby hippos are. The stitch- hand done by master tailors in H-ollywood. The attention to detail is unparalleled.
Not just looking fly, but feeling good. Words of encouragement on the dome piece. By laws of osmosis the idea that 2nd Place Sucks will permeate into the membrane. I can't lose with this one.
Silk lining? Indeed. Thai silkworms working hard for the kid.
The Holy Grail. We're discussing some biblical shit here. The kind of stuff that makes man slay thy neighbor. Sacred shit. Heavy shit. So when somebody says they found a grail, best believe it was no small occurrence. Pangea continental drift status. THAT LARGE.
Ahhh, if only that was the case for me. This wasn't like the most recent Holy Grail I acquired. No speaking in tongues. No hyperventilation. It was pretty anticlimactic. Copping Wildwoods is business for me. I'm here to achieve world domination. Don't get me wrong, these shits are dope. Super Dope. Nice & Smooth Dope on a Rope steezo. Peep that for all my freestyle TKA heads. Maybe once I rock them I'll experience that euphoria.
Most grails have been sought after for years. That shoe you remember as a kid. The one you beat the shit out of or one you couldn't afford. Not this one. It hasn't been on the hit list for 10 years. Not 5, not 4, not 3, not even 2. Just a little more than a year. So how can that be a holy grail? The ultimate find. Fuck the semantics, this was love at first sight. Only 2 stores in NYC sold them- 21 Mercer and DQM, and I was late to the dinner table. No food for How. Ebay and I did a dance with them. They appeared, they hid, and so on. I was getting tired of this tango. So when I saw them most recently I administered the head lock immediately. And they cost me half of retail ($110). I love loving kicks that are off the radar.
What we have here are some Nike Air Wildwood Supremes in buttery black leather. Add a little canvas to the uppers, a flannel-like pinstripe lining, and some 3M to reflect, and you my friend have some like Delta everyday we fly shit on your doggies. Yes, that is a Cam line. You already know. The colorway reads Black/Black- Sail- Olive Khaki, style # 329890 001. These feature a white contrast stitch, something I'm usually not a fan of. Truth is I really didn't notice that until I had them in my hand. But when I've seen these on feet, which is extremely seldom, all I see is flavs. Big shout to Surfer Dave for shedding the light. On a side note, Wildwoods never cost more than $82 until recently. Now they throw that Supreme tag on the label and charge $20 more. Whatevs. I'll cop, but come on now.
This hat might even be grail status. That would be if I knew it existed before I saw it. Perfection. Burgundy, maroon, whichever color you prefer. Somebody please explain the difference. Seeing this really excited me. Like really. Since when did House of Fitteds aka 4-U on Allerton and White Plains carry Negro League caps, let alone a Hilldale Giants cap?? Several years prior I copped the exact hat in navy at the Mitchell & Ness store in Philly. I was pretty positive that would be the last time I'd ever see one. New Era rarely does Negro League caps which is a shame because some of the logos are real clean.
The back has the Negro League logo. White New Era flag on the left side and that's all she wrote. That's all she needed to write. Simple. The Hilldale Giants played outside of Philadelphia from 1910-1932, meaning this year would be their 100th anniversary. Let's celebrate.
Hoo Dat!! Who Dat!! What's the difference? Really. Tomato, tomahto. Might as well be H is for How late?? Too late. A little black and gold for the N'awlins famo. Had to support a great city. Was there in 2000 for Mardi Gras and I really don't remember much, but I know we had a good time. Drinking apple Boon's (Ghostface would be proud) outside the Boot at 11 am. It doesn't get any better. Plus do you really think I'd root for an Indiana team? You my friend must be bugging. As in "shall we daaaaaaaance" bugging. That's how I was taught the term back in 7th grade by my classmate Jersen. I must say that in hindsight, his example was spot on, though at the time I thought HE was bugging.
Yes, the hat is fly. Thank you. There's really no denying it. Shine blocker status for the H-aters. Ooooooweeee. Black sheen with the gold stitch Olde English H and majestic purple trim. Fuck a Saint, I'm a king in this shit. Crown Royal on the rocks please. 2 cubes.
And the Egyptian silk lining??? Seriously? Hawaiian flag Hermes scarves covering the cranium. It's that crazy. "H is for High sadity" is more like it. A Fitted Hawaii exclusive and probably the most expensive cap I ever copped. "A man's wealth is determined by his headwear," as muttered by Howfresh on February 18, 2010. This cross country and then some shipping is not a good look for my carbon footprint. Need to work on that. Strap a waterproof pack to a humpback whale as he's about to migrate east. I'd prefer a Panama Canal crossing, but if he chooses the Chile and Argentine scenic route, who am I to tell a whale how to swim?
H is also for HSIFWARC. While we're bigging up N'awlins it's an appropriate time to pay homage to one of my favorite things- crawfish. I'll admit that they've been few and far between this season. Had them only once in fact. At Mara's of course. Shipments have been sparse since the weather's been a bit too cold down south. The mudbugs stay bugging in the mud. Might need to plant some up in Inwood Park just so that I won't be lying when I brag about my locavore lifestyle. Yeah, I love this planet more than you.
So let's take a stroll down memory lane. It's May 24, 2009 we're on the east side- 23rd and the FDR- Solar 1 (the City’s first solar-powered “Green Energy, Arts, and Education Center,”) and the boil is boiling. The official 2009 Crawfish NY NOLA boil. $60 beans for Six Point kegs and all the crawdoggies one could dream of. Believe it or not- this glustacean resulted in No Mas status. The white flag had to be raised. Pinching, twisting, sucking, and chomping had to come to an end.
In total 4 heaping table loads of the delectable fresh water treat were delivered by the time the sun set. Some with corn and potatoes, other had potatoes and sausage. Mushrooms, garlic and onions were also part of the mix. The combos were endless. Factorial that shit and let me know the math. When people saw we were potatoed up they tried to swipe a spud, but we weren't having that. Get your own fucking potato.
Just mad fun- social even if you're Hermit the Crab. See how we stick to H's and shellfish. Keep up with me. Don't get dusted. Wound up meeting some good peoples that turned out to be fellow Partners in Grub. P.I.G. status. Don't judge them by their offensive t-shirts. They mean well. And mad Asians- they love crustaceans. For realz. Gnawing on the tiny claws to get out any ounce of meat. I have since incorporated that into my own playbook, so good looks.
Helping Haiti to be more specific. I'm usually light with content, literally and figuratively as of late, but the recent disaster occurring in Haiti has really hit me and I felt compelled to write something. No soapbox, just discussion. Listening to all these interviews on local news from Haitians living in NYC that can't contact their loved ones reminds me of September 11, 2001. My father worked on the corner of Vesey and Church, the northeast corner of the Trade Center and patronized its businesses and facilities on a daily basis. Especially during mornings for his multiple cups of coffee and "fresh air" walks to light up. Following the collapse of the first tower, I frantically called him but couldn't get through. The fear that I lost my father was deeper than any pain I had ever felt. It was visceral. Made me nauseous, helpless. And while I don't know anybody firsthand on the island of Haiti, this feeling has returned. I can only imagine they're experiencing this, but worse.
It's a beautiful thing to see such an outpouring of support for the country. Already more than $10 million via SMS (Short Message Service) texts alone. Text donations are brilliant. Small denominations in volume, and so easy for the user. At times I generally think the masses are cold, heartless, couldn't give a shit about their fellow people, but moments like this renew my faith in humanity. Since Sept. 11, this is not the first disaster to strike. The Tsunami of 2004 and Hurricane Katrina are 2 of the more infamous that come to mind, though fucked up shit happens nearly every day somewhere on planet earth, my place of birth. Those events didn't evoke the same emotional response in me as the current catastrophe, and by looking at the substantial amount of money raised so far, didn't illicit the same reaction in the majority of others. Makes me wonder why. Should I be ashamed that I didn't feel the desperate urge to help before?
What has happened in Haiti has caused me to take a step back and really gauge what's important. Sneakers, fitteds, anything with an H, I love it, but let's be serious, shit isn't that serious. Food, that's another story, need to eat to live. I see something I like, I usually get it. Prior to the quake I was watching several fairly hard to find sneakers on ebay with some low prices. I was ready. Locked and loaded. Then the quake hits and those kicks really weren't a priority. In fact, the idea of spending loot on some egregious purchase, just adding to the columns of boxes, disgusted me. How dare I haphazardly drop cheese when that money could go for such a more worthy cause, people. It's fucking crazy. I could drop $200 on a pair of kicks easy, but the idea of giving just a fraction of that to charity doesn't come as fluidly. Made me feel like a fucking asshole. For real. Talk about a values and priorities check.
Listen, of course I'm not going cold turkey and retiring from the frivolous consumption game. Then I'd have nothing to write about. But maybe I'll be a bit more discerning and aware of the bigger picture. In order to look good, you got to feel clean.
With that, let's make a little transition to lighter fare. What we have here are the first additions of 2010. Both copped @ Cap City in West New York (What up Koo!!). The Astros, orange with a yellow H, button, New Era flag and underbill, navy star and navy bill happened to fit so I copped it, though I prefer the smaller logo. This was augmented a bit. I like my H like I like my titties, natural. Sorry J-Woww.
No need really to discuss the other. The consummate H logo. The Hickory Crawdads. Even though I have one that's basically identical. I can do a separate post strictly on the neurosis of that. Fuck it, we go hard.
The hunt is over. For one pair at least. Still a couple more out there, but the white with safety orange trim from 2001 can be removed from the list. I saw it grazing in a valley and BLABOW!!!- blew it's motherfucking brains out. Nah- never that, because then the white would have stained. Just a little arsenic in the grass. A gentle death.
I loved this "pack" when they dropped back in '01. It's not fair to call them a pack because Nike wasn't branding it that way back then, but they would drop very similar kicks within the same time frame. I had the varsity blue and varsity reds. Never had the orange or the reeds- a khaki colorway. The leather on these is quality, and real leather. Lightly rippled and soft. The mesh lining has extra cushioning and provides more comfort than mostly any other AF1 I've worn. The simplicity is the appeal. No need to be loud. Just keep it cool baby, keep it cool. There was a pair on ebay for a while for close to $140 shipped. I must have watched it for a year until one day it was gone. And I kicked myself for weeks. I spend money on such bullshit, but when something I want is within striking distance I fall back. Makes no fucking sense. I guess the thrill of the hunt is the hunt, so by keeping it alive, I perpetuated the adrenaline rush every time I saw them there. Just a little psychoanalysis from your boy How. So when these appeared on the bay right before the Manifest Destiny trip I copped with the quickness.
They are worn. I admit it, I copped a pair of used kicks. But based on the pics and the price ($40 + shipping) I had to do it. The wear looked minimal, and it definitely was, however there is slight yellowing on the right sneaker. From experience I know this happens, especially to pairs from that era, but the pics looked clorox status. A flash can really be misleading. Whatever, I'm happy I have them and I just need to keep my eyes open for a brand new pair.
The fitted could have gotten top billing, but the kicks have an emotional attachment so they won out. But the hat. Tell me it isn't the flavors. I dare you. The good people at Pegasus- what up Juice and Aubrey- blessed the kid with this joint. Was it made for me? Maybe so, maybe no (cue Mayer Hawthorne now). But it was definitely meant to be rocked by me. Hickory Crawdads in a light brown (amber, caramel, mocha??) with an orange bill and button. Black H with the orange mudbug. I have no clue who created this logo- but I want to marry your daughter. No, seriously. Your genius must have seeped into her so our babies will be brilliant. I saw the design sheet for this months back and was expecting a darker brown, but was pleasantly surprised with this. Never had a cap this color and it matches these wildwoods I have to a T (please see below).
And since 1 isn't enough I had to double up. This time with the alternate jumpoff. Again, buttahfingas.
A claw clenching a baseball. Genius?? Apparently. A simple black and white cap is a necessity when you're trying to keep that swag under control. But hold on. This shit glows in the dark, no Kanye. Doesn't work too well though. Need to have it directly under a light bulb for a good minute just to get some illumination.
We're building a nice little family here. All get along. No snapping claws. Harmony.
Where the fuck have I been? All over the place and about to cover more ground. I know the posts have been sparse, and that's being very generous. Absent is more like it. I'm not giving up- just having an incredible summer and trying to enjoy every minute of it. Yeah- maybe my priorities haven't been in the proper order, but guilt was so 2008 so I'm not trying to lament my dormancy. I am fully aware of it though, and it's bothersome. The intentions are there- for real for real, but apparently the actions haven't been. The engine is revving hardbody, but the car is in park.
So I'm about to drive cross country and see some shit. Some major shit. To say I'm excited would be an understatement. 5 days to travel to Seattle from Pittsburgh. I still consider that x-country. Who wants to see 6 hours of boring Pennsylvania anyway. Dem Durty and Howfresh, the super Chucktown DJ crew circa '03 will be hitting the Interstates. I know for a fact I'm catching PNC Ballfield to see some Pirates v Phils and hopefully the Bucs will put it on the soon to be former World Champs. Howfresh will most definitely eat PNC. I'd like to thank Jet Blue for having some shitty routes, thus causing me to procrastinate on purchasing their all-you-can travel ticket for $600 between Sept. 8 and Oct. 8. They got me thinking and then the Holy One Blessed Be He looked out for the kid with this magic carpet taking off from Steel City.
I never imagined I'd be in Seattle anytime in my life and now I'll be there twice in less than a 3 month period. Must be the bivalves- true story. Portland to follow and the grand finale being San Fran. Word is born, oops- Bahn, I will be having some fucking fun. De La in Portland, AT&T Ballfield, Safeco, Yellowstone, you already know. Who knows, while in Oregon I might just hit up Beaverton and get that swank Nike job I've always desired. Or at least get in the employee store and go ape shit.
And I finally got my camera back. It broke the night of the Peter Rosenberg x Raekwon Noisemakers event and life hasn't been the same since. I love the camera, but Canon needs to re haul their customer service. Now that my baby is back in my arms I can breathe (and post again).
Yeah- I found the Mighty H joints. Frank's Chop Shop had them hiding, but I can sense an H from miles away. There's a very special H in the pipeline. And now F hats are on the hitlist. Peep the buttahs above. Like I need another fucking excuse to melt my cheddar.
Here are some videos I took over the past 2 months. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera for the Ghost/Meth/Red show- one of the best concerts I've ever been to. Also missed out on filming the Kane at Prospect Park and Rakim at Highline. At least I had an extra hand to double fist.
Slick Rick- Mona Lisa @ East River Park NYC 7/23/09
Raekwon- Wu Gambinos @ Noisemakers with Peter Rosenberg 7/29/09
Jadakiss- Made You Look @ Sneakerpimps NYC 6/27/09
Shouts to Incilin for his knowing the ledge. Thanks to everybody that participated.
The answers were as follows:
1) Name 2 food items mentioned on the Paid in Full LP, including the lines they were used in. "Me and Eric B. and a nice big plate of Fish, which is my favorite dish, but without no money, it's still a wish."- Paid In Full
"Thought I was a donut, you tried to glaze me."- Eric B. is President
2) What group was sampled for Rakim's "Holy Are You" single? Include the album it was on and the producer of that album.
The Electric Prunes (had to keep it food related). The album was Release of An Oath and the producer was David Axelrod, no Obama.
3) On which album did Rakim wear Nike Air Force 1 Highs with a royal blue swoosh? What cap was he wearing? For the true heads- who remembers the official Nike colorway on the box? (just for fun, won't count towards the answer)
Don't Sweat the Technique was the album and he's wearing a Knicks cap. Needed the binocs for that one apparently. I'm pretty positive the colorway was white/ultramarine.
Welcome back. I have a pair of tix for the Rakim concert at Highline Ballroom Thursday night, August 13th. Be prepared for all the classics as well as a sneak preview of the forthcoming The Seventh Seal LP.
Thursday is pretty busy. You can either catch the 18th Letter or peep De La Soul backed by a live band. Seems like a no-brainer. No disrespect to De La. Don't forget to get all your NYC concert info HERE.
Similar to the previous giveaways, I'll ask several questions and the first person to respond with the correct answers, both factually and grammatically, will win the tickets. Email all answers to the address in red on the upper right. You must include a phone number so that I can reach you. I will contact the winner by 3 pm Thursday and the tickets will be available at the venue prior to the show.
I got some questions, that're serious as cancer...
1) Name 2 food items mentioned on the Paid in Full LP, including the lines they were used in.
2) What group was sampled for Rakim's "Holy Are You" single? Include the album it was on and the producer of that album.
3) On which album did Rakim wear Nike Air Force 1 Highs with a royal blue swoosh? What cap was he wearing? For the true heads- who remembers the official Nike colorway on the box? (just for fun, won't count towards the answer)
What would an "H is for" post be without a fitted? On some mighty Zeus-like mythical shit I'll hit you with the lightning bolts. Rakim is an exalted figure so it works. The mighty 8th letter.
The year and a half b(log)-day dogs. 18 months in the game. A good number- 18 = Chai = Life. We living family!! Any blog milestone is a personal one as my bday falls on the inception date. That means it's my half bday too. A great reason to head downstairs and order a pint or 2.
Rather than open presents (though I got one yesterday- peep HERE), I rather give them out. Howie Clause. I had wanted to do a best of /most listened to/my favorite shit in the '08 but procrastination got the better of me. And unless you strike immediately the timing would have been off. But 6 months later we can look back and see if these tracks have any lasting power. Shit, the way tracks come out every minute it's tough to keep up, and any track that warrants a rewind or second listen is a rarity. I'd say these have passed the test- some more than others. There were a couple more but I didn't want to OD, well extra OD since there's a lot of shit here. Hopefully the page doesn't take too long to load. We got joints all over the place- the shoot em up bang bangs to the baby I miss yous aka Beat it jerk. For the shit you never heard of, listen to it, because if I had the same attitude as that, which I have had in the past, I never would have gotten put on to some treats. Realest shit I ever wrote. Props to Nahright, 2dopeboyz, Smoking Section and whoever else lets me scoop up the goodies. Enjoy. Link for all tracks coming shortly.
Fuck it- this will also serve as the best of kicks and fitteds in '08 post. I'm hyped up right now. I might have to take my shirt off!! Go in! Go in! It's like a party at a sneaker/fitted gallery. Beats are bumping while you peep the buttafucos. Drinks are being served on the patio. No editorials- just pics.
Lose Your Life- Alchemist ft. Snoop Dogg, Jadakiss and Pusha T...I probably would have liked this with any trio of artists.
The Secret- AZ ft. Raekwon...Beat knocks heavy- real heavy with the ill screech- and Rae kills it with "drunk at the Gucci outlet, put it in your mouth bitch yum". That's level 7 thinking.
Fly- Blu...Album of '07 so he needed some shine in '08.
Man Listen- Buckshot & 9th Wonder...Man, listen. True story.
Lumdi- Camp Lo...Not Luchini status, but Smokey Robinson samples are worth a dap.
My Aura- Cam'ron...The OG and better version of Got it for Cheap off "Crime Pays". Killa!! Even on sabbatical dude still keeps it funky.
Still the Reason- Cam'ron...Horns please. "The bracelet, look down matching the Asics, hey prick, say it, I'm your favorite." What the world's been missing.
Lost it All- Cassidy...Dealing with the recent trials and tribulations. And the beats not too shabby.
Everywhere- Common...On some different shit, more on my uptempo steez (no glow stick status)- would be a better record without Common.
The Light '08- Common...Just Blaze took a classic and did his thing. You know I fucks with them hip hop love joints.
Shootin' Remix- Duo Live- ft. Billz, Joell Ortiz, Red Cafe, Uncle Murda & M.O.P....Professor X spitting from the grave. Anything with the Mash Out Posse gets props- especially when they're brought in the 9th to close it out.
My Conscience- Fat Joe ft. KRS One...I think I dig this joint more than Primo's That White. What??? Alchemist on the boards.
The Art Of Disrespekinazation- Heltah Skeltah..."Lip gloss stains on my dick from Lil' Mama, when I fucked Rihanna ain't use no umbrella, when the bitch have twins we naming them both Ella, Ella, Ayy, I'm just joking, maybe I'm not..." Awe-some.
Do You- J the S ft. Joell Ortiz...Don't know much about dude but the track is dope- flute in the background- and Joell always kills it.
From Now Till Then- Jadakiss...This should have been on the album, along with a slew of other joints. "Thinking bout when those were the best days, on the phone with shorty, while you ironing your clothes for the next day."
The Truth- Jake One ft. Freeway and Brother Ali...Sometimes the odd mix on paper work through the speakers. Most definitely on this joint.
Swagger Jackson- Jay Electronica...This dude's a bit too futuristic for me and 40 seconds of MJ talking is nuts, but this joint is mean, even if I don't really heed the lyrics. "Some blogs said you blew it, nigga fuck your blog, Jiggaman said you can't knock the hustle dog." Who me????
Ho- Jim Kahn...Hometown favorite from my boy Jim Kahn showing love to all the former ladies- listen close for the special HowFresh shout. What up Jim!! Be on the lookout in '09.
Move On- Joell Ortiz ft. Joe Budden...Oooweee on the beat.
Summertime in Brooklyn- Joell Ortiz...This track is always a win- then add this..."So I stay fresh and find a girl that's thinking what I'm thinking/ And give her back shots like I ain't feel like drinking." Wow.
1 Degree of Me- Just Blaze & Matt Fingaz ft. Game, Large Professor, Talib Kweli & Rahzel...No clue how I got it, and it doesn't really matter, cause it knocks. Dialog with the chick at the end is hilario.
L.O.V.E.- Keisha Shontelle ft. Illa Killa Chant & K-Hill...Another joint that appeared out of nowhere. Keisha did some work with 9th Wonder off Dream Merchants- Sunday- another banger.
Hardcore- Large Professor...Another ooooooweeee joint. Marco Polo on the production. This type of shit needs to happen more often.
From My Heart to Yours- Laura Izibor (DJ Premier Remix)...Yes.
Dr. Carter- Lil' Wayne...How could 2008 be documented without a mention of the Weezy F. Baby? He could doze off during one of his H-nods and the shit would still knock. H is for Holy Thursday.
Do The Right Thang- Ludacris ft. Common...Heard this in a gas station way uptown on Broadway. May have been the fumes that got me open, but the orchestra gets busy.
M.V.P.- Ludacris...I knocked the shit out of this when it dropped- 100 times a day status. Primo was back!!
Just Ain't Gonna Work Out- Mayer Hawthorne & The County...Mayer speaks the truth.
Make the Road by Walking- Menahan Street Band...Just listen. The entire album could be on this list.
Paper Planes remix- M.I.A. ft. Freeway...Until I heard this track I had no interest in hearing anything from M.I.A. I lost. Throw your guns in the air on this one!
And I Love It- Murs & 9th Wonder...9th Wonder still doing his thing.
Queens Get the Money- Nas...This is some rainy fall NYC nighttime shit. Jay Electronica did his thing on the beat, even with not one drum.
Get it Poppin'- Papoose...Papoose where'd you go? This is that summer time picnic shit. Buck, time to make that potato and macaroni salad.
Questions- Pete Rock ft. Royal Flush...Wow. Flush comes through on this joint. Another milk carton cat.
Once in a Lifetime- Raekwon ft. Mika...No crazy dusted Rae thoughts on this. Just some female issues. More of that heavy heart shit. Birds...
Necro- Raekwon ft. Ghostface...Only because Rae said "we bought the crib next to Bill Clinton's mother cause she fuck with the Chinese." Ghost kills it too. "She take a bone like a ribeye steak at Ruth Chris". I prefer the ribeye at Strip House.
Drop- Rich Boy...This shit should have blown up. Beat is BANANAS. BANANAS. BANANAS.
Here I Am- Rick Ross ft. Nelly...Hey, what can I say?
Jumping Out the Window- Ron Browz...Aw shit, Harlem stand up!! Fuck an autotune, that beat
The Roots- Get Busy ft. Dice Raw, Peedi Crakk & Jazzy Jeff ...I haven't fucked with the Roots in a minute, but this makes me want to revisit "Iladelph Halflife". Black Thought kills it and Peedi Peedi does a little Hoodratz rendition.
Universal Condition- S.O.U.L. Purpose ft. Murs...Just some real cool shit.
P's Up- Sean Price...He murked Jim on this one. "S-P-E-L-L very W-E-L-L illiterate rappers can't read fan mail, eating Alpha-bit Cereal but you can't spell, it's all over, good night, now ring the damn bell." Ding ding ding.
Good Love- Sheek Louch...That summer time shit. Where's the sun at? We sure as shit have the heat and humidity.
Streets of M.A.- Statik Selektah...Hate Boston but love the track.
So Good (Live From the Bar)- Statik Selektah...Another Statik banger. The dude can produce. Cop "Stick to the Script". One of '08's best LPs.
All I Need- Sterling Simms ft. Jadakiss...Damn, this was my joint. Thought it could take me to the next level but some people just don't get it. As always Jada comes through.
Understand Me- Style P ft. Wyclef...This joint warranted it's own post- that's how crack it is. Still knocks.
You might be wondering what you're venturing in to when you see a dude making out with a lobster. Crustacean kissing is only part of the repertoire. Enjoying good grub, hip hop, sneakers, fitteds, sports, the letter H, travel and NYC is what I do. Hopefully you'll get put on to something you were unaware of. If not, just enjoy the read. Any comments, suggestions, or food recommendations, hit me at HowfreshEats@gmail.com.
Posts
