(2010) And the Winner Is...

So its our 2nd year doing our annual Song of the Year Award and I'm glad to say that I have a winner. My deliberation process is a long and arduous one. It's easy to sometimes to pick the song that was most recently in your head rather than what you thought was the best song overall. So I had to clear my head of each song and go one by one trying to remember what I like(d) about it, where I was mentally and physically at that point in time and does it still have the same affect as it did when I first heard it. Also would I be able to let someone else listen and they would have the same feeling toward the song. A lot of other things go into me choosing as well but these are some of the major factors. My choices were Mos Def - History feat Talib Kweli, Dom Kennedy - It was Beautiful, Rick Ross - B.M.F. feat Styles P, French Montana - I'm on it feat Wiz Khalifa, Nipsey Hussle, and Big Sean, and Reflection Eternal - Just Begun feat. J. Cole, Jay Electronica, and Mos Def. With the factors I  mentioned in mind.. the winner is................... Dom Kennedy - It was Beautiful. This song more than any other embodied my year. When I felt unsettled at all or in between on things I just listened to this song. The beat is so melodic along with Dom's Smooth flow. It just makes for a perfect song and my song of the year winner. So Shout out to Dom and this track. You guys go ahead and take a listen to the track and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. ENJOI!

Follow him on Twitter: @Dopeitsdom
Download the mixtape: Future Street/ Drug Sounds



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Poems

I had the chance to listen to this song a couple times. It's a decent track from All-Starr Da Great. Taking a more down to earth approach and speaking from the heart which is always a bit more refreshing to hear from a rapper rather then the constant "talk my shit" lyrics that we get so often. The beat is cool and the lyrics are a bit iffy but it still makes for a smooth track. Look out for All-Star Da Great because you will probably be seeing a lot more form him. So check out his newest track Poems and tell me what you think. Rate, Comment, favorite and all that good stuff. ENJOI!

Twitter: @Allstarrdagreat



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Peace Signs and Tie Dye Shirts

Hey folks Just waanted you guys to check out a review I did on my homey Chad Piff and his most recent release Modern Day Hippie. I won't say much because its all in the review. GO DOWNLOAD THE MIXTAPE!! ENJOI!

Download Mixtape | Free Mixtapes Provided by DatPiff.com

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The Real Danimal!!

I have to personally apologize because this post was suppose to be up like a week ago. I know I have been slacking. This is a feature on a beat tape by my new favorite up and coming producer, Danimal. I did a post on him a little while back and his collab with an artist by the name of Pr3ci$e. Well Danimal is back at us with his newest tape 2 Day Old Sh*t (Beat tape vol. 2). I have to say that I was quite amused to just hear what his beat making ability was like just on its own. Danimal's versatility and creativity is quite refreshing. He took classic tracks and beats and put his own spin on it which (and I'm guessing) is the concept of the beat tape. Well it works. I could see myself taking a crack at a few of these beats because they definitely have serious some knock in speakers. Tracks like "Fuh Uck you" and "Hands in the Air (Turn the party out)" have that  familiar vibe but with a new funky twist. He even pays homage to one of my favorite rappers Canibus with the track "Get Retarded 2012". "Karate Chop" makes me want to lyrically slaughter somebody with a slew of multis and chisamic word play. On the other hand, Some beats didn't wow me as much like "Clockin' the Hoes'. Nevertheless Danimal manages to delivers a strong and listen worthy beat tape. So any MCs looking for a dope producer to link up with he is your man. A link to the beat tape and his twitter after the jump. ENJOI!

Download: 2 Day Old Sh*t (Beat tape vol. 2)
Twitter: @therealdanimal

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3/8/11

I'm really not going to say much. This was anticipated as much as Dre's Detox and Sah Ril's (@theonenonlysah) Back Where the Pain is 3 (I kid of course). Lupe finally set a date and now the world sits and waits. Artwork after the jump. ENJOI!


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It's a CELEBRATION!

Howdy guys today's post is a very special one! A post of the celebratory persuasion. Today is a very special day at Visions. Today is the Birthday of our newest member Nyjerah!! So I want you guys to go ahead and wish Nyjerah a Happy Birthday, maybe sing her some Stevie Wonder, hey even buy her a drink just make sure you show our lady VOQ member some love. I'm sure she will be having loads of fun this weekend (much of which she won't remember) and bring in her Birthday right!! So to you Nyjerah I say... ENJOI!!

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The Rule of 3

Hey folks! Today's post is of the sneaker aficionado persuasion. 2010 was a big year for kicks. We saw the Cool Grey XIs, Pearl and Copper Foamposites, The re-release of the Olympic VIIs just to name a few. This year seems to be no different. Nike and Jordan brand seems to like causing empty pockets and they don't have any intention of stopping. Today I will be highlighting 3 of the most anticipated releases which just so happen to all be, well (Jordan) IIIs. It has been confirmed that this month the white/cement IIIs will be released, next month the Jordan III Black History Months will be dropping, and later this year in the holiday season the black/cement IIIs will be released. Now I will say that I'm not a fan of IIIs as much as the rest of the sneaker world. They have too much of a bland feel in my opinion. I will say that I do appreciate the beauty of a good color-way and the White/cements might have to end up in my kick arsenal. They are slated to release on the 22nd of this month so if you are looking to grab a pair you got a little over a week to prep. The Black/Cements are probably the most anticipated of the 3 releases and I believe It will also be (and don't quote me on this) a quickstrike so the pandemonium that will ensue will be pretty high. No set date yet but they will be a release to look out for. Finally the BHMs which have had some mixed reviews some completely hate them others are so/so and some love them but despite how folks feel I'm sure they will sell. Look for these in February. So if you are fan of IIIs this is definitely a good year for you. Here are some photos for you to drool over for now. ENJOI!

White/Cement



Black History Months



Black/Cement


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Slaughterhouse & Yelawolf Join Forces With Slim Shady on The March XXL Issue

 

I have a feeling 2011 is gonna be one of the best years for Hip Hop ever. One of Rap's true super-teams, Slaughterhouse, has joined forces with a living legend none other than Mr Shady. And if that isn't enough, a new comer that has definitely made some noise Yelawolf has also inked with Shady Records. According to Slim:

“Yelawolf and Slaughterhouse, it’s kinda phase two of Shady.” “It’s the new generation of Shady Records and as we’re trying to rebuild our label, it’s exciting for hip-hop and with all of these forces coming together and with what everybody’s capable of on the mic, it’s gonna be fun.”

The Shady Records camp is definitely on there way to some big things! #chea

Letter After T, Before V

'U'

 

Yeezy & Jigga Serve Up Some H.A.M.!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not even done enjoying Ye's masterpiece Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy that proved to be album of the year (like I said it would be). Seriously!! During the New Year's bash video that was on every blog on the planet Ye wasn't kidding when he said Watch The Throne is bout do some damage. This is the 1st joint off the EP with Jay-Z that's slated to be yet another classic. Lex Luger on the beat & the verses are down right cruel. Enjoy!!! #chea

H.A.M. (Kanye West & Jay-Z) (prod. by Lex Luger)

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Pandemonium.

Can I just say that I love Rick Ross, Wale, and Meek Mill on this track? Now, I'm not favoring anyone, but I do believe that Wale goes in on his verse. I mean, correct me if I'm wrong.

Here's a little something for your ears. Just listen.

Rick Ross Feat. Wale & Meek Mill – Pandemonium

NyjerahNicole

Ready or not

So the mixtape I review here was quite possibly one of the most anticipated music releases since Dr. Dre's Detox (which still has yet to be released). In some ways it lived up to the hype and in others not so much. It was still one of the best mixtapes I have heard in a while and it just so happens to be from a guy who seem to be a regular on our blog Moruf. Moo does his best to deliver a very retro melodic underground hip hop vibe when he spits and on that tip he delivers. He touches on subject matter that any guy growing up in the inner city that is from their environment but not Of it can relate to. He speaks on things from girls (that is: good girls, bad girls, whores, gold diggers) to trying to make his family proud to losing someone near and dear to you to the ups and downs of being an artist on the rise. I had my head bumping and nodding from start to finish and it was a consistent release. I say this in my review and I will say it again as solid a release as this was I did and I do expect MORE and BETTER from Moruf. He has the potential to be one of the most successful artist to ever come out of New Jersey and I expect that from him. I know for sure I will see him at the top. I guess you can look at is as a bit of tough love. That's it for now. The link to ready to live and my review are below sooooo... ENJOI!

Follow Moruf on twitter: Moo88
Checkout his blogs: Ready 2 Live and Streetwear Couture

(Click the Pic to Download)

My Review


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Dolla Dolla Bills Y'all

I'm back on my mixtape review grind folks so watch out! I actually have another music review for you guys today. I do a review on an artis by the name of Money Carsin. A Jersey artist from the Camden area who brings is gritty street attitude to his music. I must say that I like my fair share of hardcore lyrics and Money Carsin has a few sparks of it here and there. I wasn't the biggest fan of Money Music 3 but is was a decent body of work and has tracks I'm sure some will like. I'm posting here so you guys can tell me what you think of it and check out my review! ENJOI!

Mixtape: Money Music 3

My Review


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In a League of Their O.W.N

This post is for those of you who have been living under a rock (or still hungover from New Year's Eve) and have not heard the news of Ms. Oprah Winfrey's new TV network "OWN" premiering on New Year's Day, January 1st. Oprah, who closed out the year by topping the Forbes list again at $315 million (wats good w/ that scholarship O?) launched the network with a great program entitled Master Class. Master Class is a program which features a celebrity or signifcant figure in society/culture pretty much just schooling the audience on life and how they've made it to where they are today. For the first episode..Oprah brought out the big guns and presented the one and only Shawn "Jay Z" Carter. The Best. Hands down. No one better to set the tone. When I tell you Hov dropped knowledge??!!! (deep breath, shakes head)...yo...

Apart from being the best rapper in the game (this is not up for debate lol), he has successfully demonstrated brilliance in entrepreneurship, fashion, philanthropy, and just overall sense of self. I respect Hov so much for his passion, honesty, and eloquence. He is the prime example of overcoming obstacles and not becoming a product of his environment. At the same time, he never once denies where he comes from. Throughout Master Class, he speaks on the people who have inspired him, touches on the importance of the close relationships in his life, opens up about his father and the death of his nephew (R.I.P Colleek), etc. He pretty much discusses every facet of trial and error, lessons via failure and success, and evaluates his self-worth all while Oprah cosigns. I mean, there's really not one part of this program that we can't all identify with.

I could quote from the interview a million times, but instead, if you haven't done so already, I STRONGLY URGE you to just watch it for yourself in order to take from it what you may. I promise you will feel motivated, inspired, touched, and even more respectful and appreciative of just how much Jay Z has contributed to Hip-Hop and our generation's pop culture as we know it. I'm really just in awe of how cool this guy is. I also love how Oprah speaks on how even she is impacted by the influence of Hip-Hop. Please feel free to receive some positive insight and energy from Master Class with Hov. If you've seen it already, watch it again. *shrug*...and feel free to comment  :o)







-With Love XO

Viewer Discretion Advised

HAPPY NEW YEAR FOLKS!!! I haven't posted since last year (a little bit of New Year humor for you.. no?... ok). This Post is being done via my own computer which I brought back to life somehow. This in itself is also a cause for celebration. But I digress the purpose of today's post is 2 guys by the name of Pr3ci$e and Danimal. An artist and producer respectively who made a pretty nice concept album by the name of Not For Kids. I had the chance to review it and I just wanted to bring it to you guys and see what you thought of it as well. I'm not going to say too much else except watch my review.. and tell what you think of Not For Kids too!! ENJOI!

Follow Danimal on twitter: @TheRealDanimal
Download: Not For Kids

My Review


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Video Time!! (Lupe Fiasco) The Show Goes On

The album drops in March, it will be a classic, and this is the perfect way to kick off 2011. Lupe is back which means Hip Hop is still in a good place! #chea

Letter After T, Before V
'U'

AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!

"AAAAHHH" LoL...was my clever way of saying that I'm sorry for the mysterious disappearance. Don't take it personally VOQ fam, one of my homies even text me and said, "You're like a superhero, always missing in action". Haha...whatever, I'm back. & I've come bearing more gifts of love, laughter, and super down-to-earth insight. The latter part of my 2K10 consisted of working crazy hours and trying my best to spend time with the family. Blessings came in the form of bi-weekly paychecks and a new addition to my tribe of nieces. (I love you little Mya!!) I'm content at the moment & even have a little extra time to post. ;o)

I would now like to extend the warmest wishes to all who check out the blog. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! & I challenge you to maintain swag in all realms of your life: education, spirituality, style, fun, finances, hobbies, etc etc. while also exploring new things and fully enjoy doing so. Let's make 2K11 amazing!!

While I refuse to make any solid resolutions for the new year, I will say that 1 of my goals is to be available to post more frequently on everything cool, so ride w/ me folks! :o)

-With Love, XO

Mixtape Vault: Moruf-Garden State of Mind: Ready to Live

Finally one of my close friends and fellow Jersey MC's has dropped his much anticipated debut project Garden State of Mind: Ready to Live. My cousin/sister introduced me to this brotha a few years ago and believe it or not I just found out we might've gone to pre-school together (wowzers lol) Anyway, this isn't just another mixtape, its a testament of hard work, grind, and persistence. The Prelude and freestyles were good appetizers, but the main course is finally here. I couldn't be more proud of Moruf and the rest of his French Exit/SWC team. Make sure you go cop this gem asap and be a witness of someone turning his ideas into REALITY. Oh yea before I forget....#BONG!! #supportgoodmusic #believe #nodaysoff

Garden State of Mind: Ready to Live

Letter After T, Before V
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