Episode 3

New releases

Show summary

Biz Markie’s “I Need a Haircut” was withdrawn due to a sample from Gilbert O’Sullivan’s “Alone Again (Naturally)”. The album was later released without the offending song. Contrary to our top-of-head recollection, Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” wasn’t exactly the first song with legal sampling issues. That title is likely held by “Pump Up the Volume” by M|A|R|R|S. It seems like the only available video where Vanilla Ice explains the difference is from VH-1’s “I Love the ’90s”. Also, as mentioned in the Wikipedia about sampling, “in a 1990 interview, Van Winkle said the two melodies were slightly different because he had added an additional note.”

Additional links

Hip-Hop Homework

Pick a song and dissect it into its original pieces.

Episode 2

New releases

  • Jay-Z & Kanye release “H.A.M.” plus the remix with Busta Rhymes
  • Nicki Minaj – “Roman’s Revenge,” remix with Lil Wayne replacing Eminem
  • DJ Khaled, “Welcome To My Hood” featuring Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Rick Ross, and Plies
  • Red Café (ft. Rick Ross) – “Faded
  • Eminem’s label, Shady Records, signs Yelawolf & Slaughterhouse

Additional links

Episode 1

Our premiere episode kicks off with the latest Eminem single, “Syllables,” featuring Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Status Quo and Cashis. It’s a really dope track, but the consensus seems to be that Dre is sounding a bit aged. This may mark the comeback of Aftermath Records. Also new this week is the “2010 Rap Up” by Skillz.

Pumice gets educated about Three 6 Mafia’s “Sippin’ on Some Sizzurp.”

Also in this episode

  • Top Female Artists
    • Keri Hilson
    • L’il Kim
    • Nicki Minaj
    • Rihanna
    • Katy Perry

Hip-Hop Homework

Essential Listening

Girl Talk, “All Day

Assignment 1 – From Jeff

Listen to Jay-Z’s “Reasonable Doubt” and come back to me with a favorite track or lyric.