Cats Out The Bag (Skillz Million Dollar Backpack Album Review) From Vibe Radar

A rapper never needed much. A rapper was content with simply a Jansport, and a notebook to leak out their emotions, but now everything appears to be in reverse. Instead of flossing lyricism, and intricate wordplay, rappers have deviated from the essentials in hopes of achieving commercial success. Still, some covet the essence of hip-hop, and stay true to their roots by rocking the ever so legendary backpack. For instance, Skills debut "Million Dollar Backpack" proves that a Jansport still has the ability to sustain the rain, especially in this day and age.
To get things started, Skills calls upon his homeboy Freeway on his first single “Don’t Act Like You Don’t Know”. Skills and Freeway play hot potato with the flow as each effortlessly lace flawless verses.” In this track Skills openly mentions his ghostwriting prowess as he boasts “I’m Sean Garrett with the lyrics.” Skills proves to come equipped with the lyrics because he doesn’t forget to exude the main ingredient strapped in his backpack: his bravado. The braggadocio he conveys on this album doesn’t even come off as redundant. On “Sick” he validates his cockiness by saying “I was sick before Jeezy knew what an adlib was. Yeaaahhh”, and further elaborates by saying “I was sick before the south had hits//Sick before you knew how to download something this sick.”

One also has to be enamored with the production on the album. Skills’ selections are beneficial, as the laid back beats help the album run smoothly. “My Phone” comes up as interesting ode to the ladies of the game, while “He Don’t Know Me” proves to be another radio friendly joint. What many undermine is the fact that Skills prides himself on delivering, especially when he has people on the guest slot. So when he rhymes along aside lyrical geniuses Common, "So Far So Good" and Black Thought from the Roots " Hold Tight", he shines and never fades from the ambiance.
Skillz's Million Dollar Backpack is a perfect example that maybe sporting a Louis Vuitton bag isn’t always the answer.

American Idol Demo Review (Jason Castro) For Vibe's Weekly Newsletter

American Idol isn’t a hoax. Ask Jason Castro. Known for his candor and candid responses, judge Simon Cowell is prone to lash at contestants for their abysmal performances. So the night Jason Castro performed I Shot the Sheriff, with his dreads swinging a la Bob Marley, a vexed Cowell with no remorse stated for him to “pack your suitcase”. As fate would have it, the affable Castro was eliminated not because of his altruistic persona that the audience grew to admire, but because of his horrendous rendition. While Kanye’s “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” line may apply to the Louis Vutton Don, the same can’t be said for Castro and his American Idol Rendition CD.
The intro “I Don’t Want To Cry” starts a tad slow, but the overpowering hook clearly depicts the vividness and elusiveness behind Castro’s heartfelt lyrics. In “Traveling Thru” the song takes a slight country approach that displays some versatility from the young crooner. The background singers prove to be effective during the first two tracks as Castro did appear a bit weary and lackluster at times. The highlight of the CD comes in the form of the cogent “Fragile”. Castro takes a page from Mr. Usher Raymond’s book, and incorporates a Spanish girl to sing along with him, as he shows some fluency in the language himself. The song helped fans see that a creative bone did exist in the one dimensional singer. Sadly, things would go down hill from there. It appeared Castro was shooting air balls at the basket, as each track proved to be a no-go. For a huge portion of the cd Castro is vulnerable. The mellowness of the album drifts to utter boredom as every track after Fragile appears to be a snooze fest. Also, the addition of background singers goes to show his lack of taking over a song, as they carried him to make the track listenable. “If I Fell” has the effect of appealing to an older demographics, preferably senior citizens due to its lack of umph.
Jason Castro shows some upside, and potential as his vocal abilities is undoubtedly there. If Castro continues to demonstrate versatility, and experimentations with different sounds, he has the opportunity to be more of an opening act, rather than someone’s bathroom break.

Big Name Hip Hop Acts to Perform at Democratic National Convention(From Vibe.Com July 15th 2008)

The man who once said George Bush doesn’t care about black people, is about to once again be under the flashing lights of the political stage. Washingtonpost.com is reporting Kanye West, along with Wyclef Jean, and N.E.R.D. are all slated to perform at this year’s Democratic National Convention. The convention, taking place in Denver, Colorado, will be a star-studded affair. Other guests include actors Ben Affleck, Scarlett Johansson, Forrest Whittaker, and many more. While many will focus their attention on the political issues, an avid listener of hip-hop will certainly not feel left out. Though music fans are excited about the roster of performers, expect none of the controversial songs from any of the acts. Just this past week, Senator Barack Obama himself, rebuked comedian Bernie Mac’s stand-up routine at a fundraiser in Chicago. Still, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee has displayed some interest in hip hop. In a VIBE cover story for the September 2007 issue, Obama told VIBE contributor and blogger Jeff Chang, “I'm old school, so generally, generally, I'm more of a jazz guy, a Miles Davis, a John Coltrane guy… But having said that, I'm current enough that on my iPod I've got a little bit of Jay-Z. I've got a little Beyonce."

To read at Vibe.com, here's the link http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2008/07/big_name_hip_hop_acts_to_perform_at_dnc/

Icebox Nah Not Really (Throwback Edition)

I reassembled my heart...yeah without surgery...when i said i didn't love you...yeah i committed perjury...not only did i lie to you, i lied to myself...it appeared you were done with this novel when you lied me on the shelf...yeah i'm an extensive read which provokes thought...these dudes are baby books with big pictures, and simplisitic diction which lacks substance...from their lackluster cover to their rudimentary lines...they fail to display the same candor or electrifying lines...for when you lacked power who instilled the light back in your eyes...for when ya mind was famished and needed food for thought, who supplied you heartfelt similes and breathtaking metaphors...breathtaking lines which made you grab ya pump...breathe in...look down before you jump...because you only read from page 1 to 45, and decided to read later...you decided to listen to the critics and read when convienent...recommend you pick up now, and not when you really need it...cuz another owner may enjoy the gold encrusted cover and be willing to engulf on this journey...so take the bookmark off and continue at 46, for you will see this journey will happily instill bliss

Untitled(Throwback Edition)

why quote you when i could quote myself...your life is fiction, needs fixing so here some help...hear some diction, a clear depiction of one self...could enhance our perception...glances from our stances could lead to misconception...except when, the real deal appeals to us...blinded by ignorance so whats real to us...food for thought no longer is a meal to us...i'm stuck...corrupt...in this world of illusions...believing i could survive off ice cubes in the sahara...believing i could no longer enrich or expand my mind...divine intervention is needed...because i'm wheeling and dealing lookin through my rear...what appears through my window...a breezy day signifying i go where the wind blows...