DJ Ski Beatz, the Mastermind behind "Reasonable Doubt" Speaks

Hip-Hop Classics like "This Is It" (Luchini), "Politics As Usual" and "Dead Presidents" don't come out of thin air. And if you recall the last two songs are on Jay's debut album, Reasonable Doubt, a must have in your music collection. Much credit is due to Jigga Man himself but, CREDIT must be given to the mastermind behind the production. And, that is (DJ) Ski Beatz. In an interview, he speaks on how the music industry almost jaded his vision in the 90's and how he's back at it with two new titles: rapper and producer. I enjoyed this interview....Good Stuff.

Watch below:

“I got jaded through the industry and I started changing my music up, I got lost for a minute,” he calls. “Like, ‘Oh shit, what the fuck am i doing? Who am I? Where’s my music going? I’m not on top. Am I supposed to be on top?’ …Then I just broke down and stopped.” - DJ Ski Beatz

Young Dro f/ Yung L.A. New Video && XXL's Jay-Z "Classic Lines"

I said the same thing you're prob thinkin' ("Where have they been?"). I don't know but, I'm glad their back on the scene. I can't even tell you the last Young Dro song I heard, && they STILL play "Ain't I" in the clubs. Why, I do not know. But, the two artists collaborated for the song/video "I Don't Know Ya'll" && I must say that I actually rock w/ it. It's a fun record. The video has a nice effect to it as well. Grand Hustle is back...I guess.



I'm fully aware that this video below does not pertain to anything above but, I saw it on XXL's site & thought it would be a nice post.

You have a favorite Jay-Z line? Well, so do many other people. Here's a clip of fans reciting or attempting to recite their favorite line from the Jigga Man. Some people actually had good lines, while others just needed to give it up. Funny stuff :)

//Non-native Becomes Inspired..."Empire State of Mind" premiere

When I first saw the opening sequence to the highly anticipated video, Empire State of Mind, I was immediately drawn back to numerous videos in the past. Think back to Mary J. Blige's "Break Through" video, Jay-Z's opening to his "Fade to Black" documentary, or even more recently Trey Songz' "Invented Sex" opening. It's those bright lights that we are all so familiar, even if we're not native. Hailing from the South, I have only been to New York once. Yet, after viewing this video, I feel inspired.

Hype Williams directed the video, which is a no-brainer giving the execution of the video. Black and white videos [i.e., pictures, etc] are DOPE and will never go out of style. I love the images and the fact that it was shot in the streets, and not in some "bourgeoisie" location.

"In NY, concrete jungle where dreams are made from---." ...I'm a believer :)

*I'm aware that I haven't been posting as much. School kills again.

Photography: The Diamond Celebration (Jay-Z)

You may not know, just like I didn't, that this year marks the 10th anniversary of Jay-Z's clothing line, Rocawear. It all started in 1999. Man it seems like time breezes by!! But, as I was on his site for all of his endeavors, I spotted some dope photography. The photography is to (I'm guessing) celebrate the anniversary as well, as the site is campaigning "The Diamond Celebration" heavily.

Check some of the photos below. I urge you to remove your opinions, and see the art for it's aesthetic.

//"All Black Everything--"

[I love this chick's edge!! Remember Omahyra Mota from Jay's "Change Clothes" video. The dress & peep toe boots are 2 die for!!]

//"While I'm watchin every ni**a watchin me closely--"
[That big fist in the background kinda threw me off but, It shows a more cotemplative Jay looking at his reflection in the mirror. It's in black & white so, I think it's dope.]

//"I'm your physician, I'm your addiction--"

[Aside from the fact that he is half naked, the background caught my attention. It's very clean cut & tidy. Everything is in it's place && that sits right with me.]

//"Like, Prada blouse, Gucci bra/ Filth marked jeans, take that off--"

[Not really sure who the model is but, the pic is just dope. It looks very liberating. Not just the fact that home gurl is missing her top but, the fact that she's outside. It looks like morning over there. I can digg it.]

Jay-Z & A.Keys "Empire State of Mind" (Video Footage)

So, the video for the un-official New York anthem, "Empire State of Mind", is comin'! The song is powerful && the clips below leave me wanting to see more. It kinda gives me a Nas "If I Ruled The World" vibe. It's shot in the streets w/ the bright lights and the energy level is crazy. I can't wait to see this video. 106 is about to have a NEW #1 song before they know it. Check the pics & clips below...

// Jigga Man in New York rappin' into the chorus


[Jay-Z & Alicia Keys on the set of "Empire State of Mind"]

[Stuntin' hard, ain't they?! Love it!!]


"Working together on 'Empire State of Mind' was incredible," Keys said. "I've admired Jay-Z for a long time. Reasonable Doubt is my all-time favorite album, period, and he's been on the scene for long time. I always figured that we would do some type of collaboration, and finally, it came together with this." - Alica Keys told MTV.

//A.Keys performing w/ the bright lights of NY. [People were spazzin' out!!]


//The 2 performin' together. [Dope!!]


There's no word on when the official video will premiere. But, be on the lookout b/c when it hits, it's gonna be unbelievable!!

WHAT DO YOU THINK? LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW.

(Pics & Video 1 from: source)
(Videos 2 & 3 from: source)

Jay-Z's Innovative Rhapsody Commercial

Remember when I mentioned that I don't 'copy & paste' posts from other blogs. Unless, it's something like this. I've seen this Rhapsody commercial on tv but, only actually watched it on Sandrarose. Throughout the commercial, Jay-Z is on a photo shoot & "recreates all of his album covers" & it is dope! If I had paid attention to the commercial when it aired on tv, I probably would've noticed this myself. But, I didn't so...the credit is given.

Can you spot all of Jay's album covers?

[Here are a few to reference.]

* I never noticed until now that his album covers share the black & white trend (basic colors).

"Feel It Comin In The Air--"

"Feel it comin' in the air, & the screams from everywhere---" (Run This Town)

It's coming. The final installment of the Blueprint. Though I [REFUSE] to listen, the entire album has been leaked, as you may know. Even MTV has leaked it. Surprisingly, Jay doesn't seem to be too upset about the leak saying that he may be "the most bootlegged artist in history" and wants everyone to simply enjoy his work [People are going crazy over this leak].

Click the album cover to preview the ENTIRE album before it hits September 11 [But, that's a Friday!?]. && Is it just me or does he have a lot of features on the album? I'm just sayin'.



Oh & if you're "loyal", you'll join me & wait! C'Mon!! :)

***You want more Jay-Z??***

Check these older posts to quench your fix:

1) Jay-Z - "44 Fours"
2) Sampled Tracks ("Can I Live" - Jay-Z)

"I'm From Marcy Son, Just Thought I'd Remind Yall--"

If you're a Hip-Hop head then you might have recognized that Dirty Money's song "Angels" samples "Where I'm From", originally by Jay-Z. They play this song all the time on Sean's new show [Sorry, I'm tryn to switch over to his new name this go round], Making His Band.

The song has leaked on-line & all blogs have been forced to remove the link. So instead of getting into that whole mess, I'll just send you to his official site, where it automatically plays. Just click here [make sure to open in a new window], & you will hear it. This version features Biggie Smalls.

Sounds dope so far :)

Better question: Who is buying Dirty Money's album when it drops??

Original -->Jay-Z - "Where I'm From"]:



The beat is sickening, right?!

(Pic from: Source)