YouTube, we know you do.
I haven’t checked this out enough times to actually form an opinion on it, but, I have to say that the theatrics at the end is throwed.

Wu-Tang, Mos Def Lead “Rock the Bells” Concert
A Review of The Roots Radio City Performance with Nas, Common, etc
MIA Denied Entry Into the U.S.
Learn How To Make Gold Teeth
25 Best Music Websites (Congrats O-dub!)
Is Hip-Hop Responsible for Violence? 600+ Fans Polled
Mutulu Shakur to Release CD on 2Pac’s 35th Birthday

via NYTimes (© Kate Lacey)

I still don’t know how to digest this: Stephin Meritt, a New York rockist, caught some serious flack because of his musical taste? Sasha Frere Jones dubbed Meritt a racist for his preference of nothing but “white” music/artists and distaste for African-American artists.

In case you’re still clueless on the debate, Sasha Jones points to Stephin Meritt’s article for Time Out New York, where he was asked to pick the best song from each year from 1900 - 1999. Predictably, Meritt’s list was overwhelmingly white, with only 11 black folks credited including Public Enemy’s “911 Is a Joke.” Meritt would then claim that he actually over-represented blacks on his list in Meritt’s interview with Thomas Bartlett. Does this make him racist? I don’t think anyone ever sees themselves as racists (except of course, you’re a gold member of the KKK).

Regardless of where you stand on this debate, though, most people’s musical taste is often a reflection of underlying social ideoologies and beliefs which may include some stereotypical views. It’s always been my observation that some white folks would throw in a random well-known hip-hop artist and round it off with “I like rap” when asked about their musical preferences, as a way of saying “Hey, I’m not racist.”

Does Meritt deserve to be castrated for breaking out of that naive mold, and declaring his clearly prejudiced preference for white artists?

I think there’s a delicate line between honest opinion and unrestrained bias here. A very, very intricate issue, if you ask me. It’s only a matter of time before someone makes the comparison to Prussian Blue.

Pimp C + Brooke Valentine - Dope Girl
With Pimp’s album nearing its release date, it’s only right that he got down on his grizzy like this. But, is this what we did all that “Free Pimp C” chant for? And, sorry Pimp, Brooke is not the Princess of the South. Hillary Duff is still around…just kidding y’all. A few cats that check The Rap Up actually know where I live, and banana peels in my driveway is never a good thing.

Method Man + Lauryn Hill - Things They Say
You can shit on Lauryn’s MTV Unplugged disc all you want, but, guess what? It’s slowly becoming one of the most sampled hip-hop CD’s in history (even though I’m aware that EPMD’s first LP is a hot contender for that title as well). This is Method Man’s ‘hate’ letter to mudslingers, and you’d swear L’Boogie was in the studio with him on this one.

(whatchu mean you don’t remember ‘em?! Jurassic 5…hello?)
DJ Khaled ft. Jadakiss & Beanie Sigel - It’s A Problem (warning: DJ shamelessly promotes his album halfway into the track!)

Dreddy Kruger Interview

So far, 5 people have dubbed this the best of interview of the year. I don’t know what
they’re talking about, but it’s a must-read if you’re wondering what’s up with the Wu.

Star threatens to “R.Kelly” Envy’s 4-year old daughter
Star Offers An Apology Through His Lawyer
Star Gets Arrested By NYPD
Oprah Winfrey Responds To 50 Cent
Most Hip-Hop Fans Would Bring This Rapper Back to Life
D-12 Records New Album Without Proof
Controversies Surround Chris Daughtry’s Idol Exit and Comeback
Universal Fined $12 Million for Payola

1. “Get You Some” (featuring Q-Tip & Marsha of Floetry) (prd. Dr. Dre)
2. “Your Time Has Come” (prd Dr. Dre)
3. “I’ll Hurt You” (featuring Eminem) (prd. Scott Storch)
4. “Touch It” (prd. Swizz Beatz) - 3:38
5. “Imagine” (featuring Dr. Dre & Chauncey Black) (prd. Dr. Dre & Denaun Porter)
6. “They Out to Get Me” (featuring Denaun Porter) (prd. Denaun Porter)
7. “Money Like Back in the Days” (featuring Raekwon) (prd. Erick Sermon)
8. “This Is How We Do It Over Here” (featuring Missy Elliott) (prd. Dr. Dre)
9. “Where’s Your Money” (featuring Ol’ Dirty Bastard) (prd. Dr. Dre)
10. “Don’t Get Carried Away” (featuring Nas) (prd. Dr. Dre)
11. “In the Ghetto” (featuring Rick James) (prd. Green Lantern)
12. “Get Down” (prd. Timbaland)
13. “Don’t Try to Fight It” (featuring Mariah Carey) (prd. Rick Rock)
14. I Love My Bitch” (featuring Kelis) & will.i.am) (prd. will.i.am) - 3:46
15. “You Can’t Hold the Torch” (featuring Q-Tip) (prd. J Dilla)
16. “New York Shit” (featuring Swizz Beatz) (prd. DJ Scratch)
17. ▪ “Touch It (Remix)” (featuring Mary J. Blige, Rah Digga, Lloyd Banks, Missy Elliott, Papoose, & DMX)

Discuss.

(photo via dlisted)

The original O.G., Ice T, has joined the reality TV bandwagon. Mr. Coco will be teaching kids how to bust rhymes on VH1. The students will then be put to test via series of auditions, recordings, studio sessions, and a final exam which entails opening for Public Enemy live. At least, VH1’s latest blaxploitation effort doesn’t involve fugly chicks spitting on each other’s breasts.

Penelope Jones - Miss Me With That Foolishness
T.I.’s Personal Assistant Killed in Cincinnati Shootout…(more senseless hip-hop killings)
Daz Feeling So So Gangsta
Police Clueless on Big Hawk’s Murder
Hyphy energy drink? Stop that joke!