JumpinJack AJ

Thanx!! Sounds great!!...but it also sounds like the stuff they say b4 every album. :roll:

TONI BRAXTON - How Many Ways (R. Kelly Remix) Toni Braxton is so overlooked this days...thanx 2 Arista's awful promotion. I'm hoping her next album puts her back on top. I just bought her Platinum & Gold Collection and it's reminding me what a great talent she is.

Other than BLACKstreet, i don't remember much from Teddy Riley after the mid-90's. He produced Queen Pen's 1st album, the Guy III album (of course), the last 2 BLACKstreet albums...other spots on Sisqo's 2nd album, Profyle's 2nd album. He's a talented guy but gets overlooked alot these days. Some of his late-90's/early 00's work is a bit weaker, but he definitly got back in2 the swing of things with that last BLACKstreet album "Level II." I think FP should have had him produce a track for Big Willie Style or Willennium.

I do the same as Julie, i listen 2 like the 1st 20 seconds of each track so i can get a feel 4 the album, then i go back and listen 2 it start 2 finish.

"Homebase" marked the maturity of JJ+FP. Their style 2 this day is very true 2 how they've always been...but musically "Homebase" marked a new JJ+FP. It waz after their fame dwindled, they had money issues, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air helped keep them on their feet. In "Act Like You Know" FP spits "i'm a pressure player, i'ma hit it when it counts"...which is so true. Whenever it's crucial, FP always brings the heat. After "And In This Corner..." the future of JJ+FP waz undesided. "Homebase" put them back on top due 2 the musical advances they took and FP's lyrical rebirth.

Wow, that must have been alot 2 take in all at once!! When i got them all on CD (to replace the cassettes) i got the 1st 4 albums all at once.

No, i think the song hit right on time. Teddy Riley dosen't make trax like that anymore. The production is just a good mix of Hip-Hop and R-N-B with that New Jack Swing feel TR is famous 4. FP's lyrics are definitly 1993. He takes on all those phoney gangsta rappers by keeping the JJ+FP sound new and fresh 4 the "nine-trey" and even calls them out.

Ha ha...opps....how could i mix that up...it only has the early-mid 90's New Jack Swing sound all over it. :roll: I'm thinkin' about "Shadow Dreams." I think that song lyrically waz on the same page as "Summertime." Not that the production is far behind it either. "Just Kickin' It" has the same feel-good feel and flawless production of "Summertime."

My biggest dissapointment would be when i heard the vibe of Born To Reign. The new sound just kinda threw me off cuz i waz hoping for some basic FP. Other than that, i waz very dissapointed with what Columbia did with Will Smith: Greatest Hits. They had a change 2 put out something unrelealsed and didn't take advantage of it.

Go 2 ReadyRockC.com for his very one-sided version of the story. This has been discussed 100 times here and not many of us wanna dwell on the topic.

ENCORE + LADYBUG MECCA - Real Talk I picked up this album Hiero Imperium presents The Building simply cuz i trust Tim's taste in music (since we have similar likes and dislikes). This compilation waz only $6.99 at Borders and just came out recently so i couldn't resist. I love Hieroglyphics + Goapele's "Make Your Move (9th Wonder Remix), Pep Love + Goapele's "Family And Friends," and Encore + Ladybug Mecca's "Real Talk." The rest of the album is kinda filled with average stuff and less than average stuff. I expected more from Hieroglyphics on "Love Flowin' (A Plus Remix)" and Del The Funkey Homosapien's "Funk 'Em"...A Plus' "Leave Me Alone" and Casual's "Oaktown" as well.

I wrote it. I recnetly picked up Mos Def's new album and i'm here pulling my hair out cuz he's a true talent and he's got all this singing and rock stuff on the album. Only one track is truely ill ("Sunshine"). A few others are alright but i expected stuff on that next level. The rock stuff and the singing stuff is just confusing. I just took that confusion and typed it up 2 remind some people that FP isn't the only one 2 make crazy moves in his career.

Fresh Prince + Breeze - No More Brand Nubian - Always Mine Bow Wow + Jagged Edge - My Baby

I wouldn't trip, the only mentioned a few artists...100s of albums are coming out this year, so MTV focusing on 5 of them isn't really a big deal. i personally am looking forward 2 all of those albums (Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simspon, Mariah Carey, and Omarion's).

1991 - Homebase, He's The DJ, I'm The Rapper, Rock The House, And In This Corner... 1993 - Code Red (within a few days of it's release) 1997 - Big Willie Style (2 days b4 it dropped) 1999 - Willennium (the day it dropped) 2002 - The Magnificent (French promo 3 months b4 the album dropped...the day the official album dropped) 2002 - Born To Reign (the day it dropped...i waz mad sick, but got up super early 2 run out 2 the record store and pick it up)

"I'm Looking For The One (To Be With Me)" may have a similar impact like "Summertime" becuz they were both produced by Hula + K. Fingers. Those guys came up with some crazy beats and JJ+FP had great chemistry with them. I like the song alot, but one thing that won't allow me 2 compare it 2 "Summertime" and "Brand New Funk" is that, since it's a party song, the lyrics just aren't that focused. It bugged me for years that the title and chorus have nothing 2 do with the lyrics.

Actually, "Higher Baby" is from 1992 and "Dance or Die" is from 1993. Individually, Jazzy Jeff has ALOT of DJing and production credits and FP has alot of cameo appearances and a few writing credits.

I had a copy of "He's The DJ, I'm The Rapper" from my friend's sister who waz a few years older. The 1st album i officially got when it waz new waz Homebase. Here's the order i got them in... Homebase He's The DJ, I'm The Rapper Rock The House And In This Corner... Code Red (when it isn't dropped...this waz also my 1st CD by them..all the others were on caseette) MIB Soundtrack Big Willie Style Greatest Hits (i saw 3 copies in my local record store when it 1st came out...with no promotion and freaked right there in the store). ----At this point i went back and got all the albums i had on cassette on CD--- Willennnium Before The Willennium (ha!) The Magnificent (promo copy from France...about 3 months b4 the album dropped) The Magnificent: Da EP Born To Reign The Magnificent (official release) Will Smith: Greatest Hits JJ+FP: Platnium + Gold Collection Hip-Hop Forever: Vol. 2 Somewhere in the mix i also got 2 other versions of Before The Willennium and various Jazzy Jeff mixtapes (official and bootleg) and a few old JJ+FP Live bootlegs.

MARVIN GAYE - Distant Lovers (Live)

What is it that makes emcees who have become a staple in Hip-Hop hisory take extreem risks with their music. Hip-Hop has always been a genre based around no rules and no limits. Lyric formulas, subject matter, and the sound of the music have always varied, but a handful of artists has taken matters into their own hands leaving their fans very confused. In the next few paragraphs, lets reflect on the experimental albums that some of Hip-Hop's most respectable talents have put out. LL Cool J started the trend of multi-flavored albums in a small way with the 1997 album Phenomenon. The jiggy, flashy, commercial 1st single was soon followed up with the gutter posse cut featuring DMX, Method Man, Redman, and Canibus. The rest of the album mixed old school inspired party jams like "Starsky + Hutch" featuring Busta Rhymes, with soulful R-N-B songs "Don't Be Late, Don't Come To Soon" featuring Tamia, next to current jiggy-styled tracks like "Nobody Can Freak You" and "Hot Hot Hot." Good music, yes...strange overall mix, absolutly. LL returned years later with a street album re-establishing his gritty side, and in recent years, taking it back 2 the early days of respectable lyrics, party club bangers, and his staple love songs. 1998 brought to experimental albums from two of Hip-Hop's female alumni. Hip-Hop's reigning queen, Queen Latifah released her album "Order In The Court." Latifah was always known for singing hooks on her albums and even full songs from 1993's Black Reign. However, "Order In The Court" broght more soulful moments from the Queen. However, it was the 80's influenced "Didn't Mean To Turn You On" and lead single, 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' interpertating Pras-produced "Paper" which displayed out-of-character from the Queen. The overall quality of the music was still high, but the various experimantal sounds made the album feel like a hodge-podge of styles that didn't amount 2 a big picture. 'Order In The Court' however was just a warm-up for her 2004 head-turning 'The Dana Owens Album' which didn't contain one hot verse from her. The entire album was peiced together with soul, jazz, and pop cover songs. MC Lyte's 1998 album, like Latifah's peiced various styles together equaling up to a confusing album, tossed between abstract Hip-Hop, old school Hip-Hop, and R-N-B funk grooves. Still quality music, but she didn't need a 'Ruff Neck' or have any 'Ice Cream Dreams' on this album. Like LL, after an experimental album, Lyte returned in 2003 with 'Lytro', and street-heavy album. Hip-Hop and Rap music stayed on the straight and narrow for a few years, then rapper/actor Will Smith turned heads with 2002's Born To Reign. The album opened with a strong title track and into a club banging song called "Act Like You Know." From there, the album took off an various tangents like the latin flavored "I Can't Stop," the retro sample-heavy "1,000 Kisses," and the reggae sprinkled "I Gotta Go Home" all wrapped in between Fresh Prince styled songs like "How Da Beat Goes," "Block Party," "Give Me Tonite," and "Momma Knows." The domination of guitars came as a surpise to many. The album went gold, an accomplishment, but disappointing to the 10 million plus sales of his album Big Willie Style just years before. This album also introduced the idea of guest artists participating on the full album which featured the R-N-B trio Tra-Knox's, one of the groups signed to Smith's Overbrook Entertainment. 2002 also brought a left-feild album from The Roots. The Roots have always been known for their jazzy, live band sound. Their prevoius album from 1998 featuring the megahit "You Got Me" featuring Erykah Badu. The album 'Phrenology' introduced a new sound to the group featuring abstract sounds nothing like their past work. Less acoustic, most energy, and most electronic sounds popped up on this album, taking away a signature style many fans depending on. The misleading 1st single "Break You Off" featuring Musiq pleased many fans, however, the lack of soul on the album disappointed many. Insead of soulful grooves, scattered beats filled much of the album, some even with rock tendencies. The last confusing Hip-Hop installment of 2002 would be Common (aka Common Sense)'s album Electric Circus. This album followed his 2000 album which contained the smash "The Light." This albums first single "Come Close" featuring Mary J. Blige gave fans a taste of another soulful love song. However, the rest of the album contained mostly abstract music not totally unlike The Roots (much of Electric Circus waz produced by The Roots' ?uestlove). Gone was the true school Hip-Hop sound, which waz replaced with rock guitars, trance sounds, and unique beats. It's unexplainable why some of today's greatest producers like Jay Dee (aka J-Dilla) and James Poyser would create such a sound. The album didn't live on past the 1st single, as did The Roots.' 2003 brought a sound change from the west coast Hip-Hop crew Black Eyed Peas. Along with a new member (R-N-B singer Fergie, formally Stacy Ferguson of the R-N-B/Pop group Wild Orchid and kid-show Kids Incorporated) the Peas brought more live instruments and tons of funk into their music, shunning some of the laidback sounds and Hip-Hop heavy vibes from their previous albums. Unlike other experimental albums, Elephunk turned into a huge success, releasing four hit singles, millions in sales, and briging them to a whole new audience. Most recently, in 2004, Mos Def released his own complex album titled "The New Danger." On this album, just like with Queen Latifah and Will Smith, Mos Def takes a stab at singing. Not-unlike 'Born To Reign' and 'Electric Circus,' rock-inspired tracks can be found on this album. The album's opening intro, "The Boogie Man Song," is Mos Def akwardly singing which leads in2 the rock-heavy "Freaky Black Greetings." Followed by yet another rock track, "Ghetto Rock." What is it that inspires these legendary artists to take such musical risks? Maybe it's the pressure to hold the world of Hip-Hop on their shoulders since current radio main-players aren't. Maybe it's that their work in films distorts their judgement on the music they make. Whatever it is, this crazy bug has been traveling all through the world of Hip-Hop making artists want to step outside the box and dedicate full albums or the majority of the work on them to try new and crazy things.

Ain't nothing new about that...that's how it waz in the old skool. Battle were more about wit, cleverness, skill, comedy. It's just that these days every ignorant fool has security issues and has 2 cuss out their oponent with cheap shots below the belt about sex and stuff. Pathetic stuff. Actually, FP talked in a 1997 source interview about how he's always stayed true 2 his own style cuz no matter how "hard" another rapper can come "you can't beat a guy who says funny stuff."

HEAVY D - Keep It Comin' This song did alright back in 1997...but i can't believe it wazn't huge!!

Yeah, i've always wanted him 2 do a song with a male R-N-B artist. A track with Ginuwine produced by Timbaland would be dope. I'd like 2 hear him do a song with Usher, Jon B, Babyface, Brian McKnight (not just a remix), Maxwell, Carl Thomas, Glenn Lewis, or R. Kelly.

I'm love the music. That's why i've been down with DJ Jazzy Jeff + Fresh Prince since the early years. I want music that will make my laff, think, nod my head, and so on. I want them 2 have success, but i never want the real reason they do what they do 2 suffer 4 something as petty as success. I don't think Petey Pablo has any talent, i think most of the time (not all of it) Ludacris just talks trash in his music. I don't see them making me think or truely enjoying the music. And i defintly don't care if they are used as bait 2 get some trendy fly-by-nite disposable fan 2 buy a Fresh Prince album. I'll give anything a chance, i just don't see people like that bringing anything good 2 his music...only taking away from it. If they make a good track, so be it...but if they ruin it, that'll just be annoying. Besides, if they are used as commercial bait, it's their own fault that they worship the ground that Jay-Z, G-Unit, Chingy, and Lil' Flip walk on. They could just as easily pick up the new De La Soul, Talib Kweli, or Brand Nubian album. Whenever a true skool emcee works with a strictly commercial artist, dose is ever really do any good? No. Gang Starr worked with Jadakiss on their last album...that album never blew up commercially. It happens all the time. If they add 2 the track, cool...if they don't and the crossover never happens, then it's a real shame and a perfectly good song has a few bars with a D-level talent rapper wastin' valuble space a true artist.

Anyone have that pic of the Sesame Street characters smoking, holding guns and knives with really mean faces? I love that pic, havn't seen it in years. I wonder how the companies that produce movies and TV shows feel when they find pix like this from their workers playing around.