I'm back like fish scale (yea, that's the new saying). Ghostface brought your boy out of blog retirement. From this tracklist, it looks like Fish Scale is going to be worth the weight. I'm definitely copping.
I'm looking forward to this and the concert on April 1st. (Mo, where's my press pass!?) Getting amped up and ready to bust out the brand new Konica Minolta.

1. Shakey Dog (produced by Lewis Parker)
2. Kilos feat. Raekwon (produced by MoSS)
3. Be Easy (produced by Pete Rock)
4. Charlie Brown (produced by MF DOOM)
5. Barber Shop (produced by Studio Steve)
6. Big Girl (produced by Ghostface)
7. Bricks feat. Biggie and Raekwon (produced by Cool and Dre)
8. Dawn feat. Cappadonna
9. Back like that feat. Ne-Yo (produced by Xtreme)
10. Chunky (produced by Pete Rock)
11. Wu Joint (produced by MF DOOM)
12. Clips of Doom (produced by MF DOOM)
13. Whip You With A Strap (produced by J Dilla)
14. Dawn feat. Cappadonna & Trife (produced by MF DOOM)
15. Rae & Ghost
16. Underwater (produced by MF DOOM)
17. Can Can feat. Shawnna & Shareefa (produced by Ghostface)
18. Crackspot (produced by Crack Val)
19. Family Affair (produced by Pete Rock)

Source: "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fishscale"

If there's one thing Hip-hop should get knocked for, it's the blind acceptance of bling into our culture. Rappers, understand this: just because you rock chains that drape from your forehead to your toe doesn't mean I'll be enticed to buy your record. Is it a coincidence that majority of the ignoramuses who don't care to check which of the terrorist organizations and rebel groups they've been sponsoring by rocking blood diamonds only make one decent song per lifetime.

It's a sad day in Hip-hop when so-called rappers claim they would only wear a certain diamond if someone had indeed died for it. So, that makes you gangsta if a 13-year old girl in Congo is being raped by a 42 year old militant. Is it gratifying to you that teenage boys are running around killing entire families with all kinds of AK's and ammunition purchased with the money you doled out on bling? Is this the new black on black or what?

Don't even get me started on Kanye's misleading "Diamonds (From Sierra Leone) Rmx" where he barely scratched the surface. Ironically, Lupe Fiasco jacked the beat and showed West how to really shed light on the issue.

Thank God for Kareem Edouard who's stepping up to expose this tragic trend with his film, Bling:Consequences and Repercussions.

Here's a list of conflict-free diamond jewelers. And, nope, Jacob the Jeweler (aka Jacob Arabo) is not one of them. Go figure.

1974-2006

Jay Dee, the Hip Hop architect who gave us Slum Village in the early 90's, has passed away after struggling with an undisclosed illness. Strangely, Dilla's critically acclaimed Donuts instro set only dropped three days ago (same day as Pun's death anniversary).

Naturally, folks who once slept on the late beat maestro will emerge from their miserable caves to crown him the greatest producer of all time...a little too late. Truth is, Hip Hop will never know another producer like Jay Dee, ever. His style was too dynamic, too relentless, and way too esoteric to be emulated.

Heartfelt condolences to J Dilla's family and the Hip-Hop community. He'll truly be missed.

Dilla's Discography

I've been sitting on these series of classic mix cd's for a minute. I'm only sharing the list here so get to googling you cheap freeloaders.

1. Royal Salute - AZ
2. You Got It - Cam'ron
3. 3 Bricks - Ghostface, Notorious B.I.G., Raekwon
4. Best Rapper Alive - Royce da 5'9"
5. Smoke In The Air - CL Smooth
6. Welcome to Detroit - Trick Trick ft Eminem
7. Charlie Brown - Ghostface Killah
8. Get Knocked - Consequence
9. I Never Snitch - Scarface ft The Game and Beanie Sigel
10. Cassidy Anthem - Cassidy
11. 718 - Cormega ft Lil' Fame
12. Dirty Game - Cormega
13. Gaintain - SubCon
14. More - Rhymefes
15. Failure - Lupe Fiasco
16. Back Like That - Ghostface ft Ne-Yo
17. Fire In Ya Eyes - JB ft The Game
18. Jackin' 4 The Dirty - Ras Kass
19. Motivators - Consequence ft Q-Tip & Phife Dawg
20. Last Laugh - Ras Kass

"Imagine being my publicist, how hard that's gotta be" - Kanye West (Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Solo Performance)

Kanye: "Good thing I didn't have to pull out the 'Fuck You List' in my back pocket

















Say 'hi' to Kanye, his mom(Donda West), and Donda's little friend

















Mimi - Best R&B Album, Best Female R&B Performance, Best R&B Song

Jay: " Hope NaS doesn't find out about this shirt"

John: "Man, the suspense is killing me"





















"I knew these yanks would buy into that Jamrock shit"


A comprehensive list of winners (& nominees)

*Water-marked pics courtesy of Corbis