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Too Short – Blow The Whistle – Jive

I was in Jr. High School in 1986 when I first heard Too Short‚s “Girl, That’s Your Life” slamming in the trunk of every tricked out Mustang 5.0 that drove by, as I walked back and forth to school everday. One of his early albums was titled, “Don’t Stop Rappin’” and 20 years later he looks he has taken that to heart.

Too Short and Lil Jon have a great chemistry as they team up to further this Hyphy Movement. Truth be told, Lil Jon’s crunk beats have had the Yay Area going Hyphy since “B.I., B.I.” but now Lil Jon is teaming with the Bay’s best, like Too Short and E-40 to keep kids out here shaking their dreads. This song is a surefire No. 1 out here in the Bay and should be felt throughout the rest of the country.

Da Backwudz – I Don’t Like The Look Of It – Rowdy

These dirty south cats are ill flipping the Oompa Loompas from Willie Wonka singing “I Don’t Like The Look Of It.” The beat is real tight, reminiscent of how Ludacris flipped that Quincy Jones/ Austin Powers beat. This track should have people bouncing all over.

Pussycat Dolls / Will.I.Am – Beep – A&M

This song is not that surprising. The artists who brought us 2 of hottest dance jams last year, “Don’t Cha” and “My Humps” team up to bring us this song. It’s catchy and should keep people dancing into the Spring.

Heather Park – The Life – Stush Music

Heather Park is a lady who’s out make her name in the crowded female R&B scene. I prefer the Ron Browz remix on this single which samples the “Busta, What It Is Right Now” drums. She deals with a little mature here than the average Ciara, Keyshia Cole jams out right now. With the Busta beat it can work in the clubs.

Topkat – Got Lyrics / Here To Stay
The hills of Vallejo are still spring new MC’s. This time it’s an MC named Topkat taking up the mantle for the V.J.O. “Here To Stay” is a really good song with an oldschool, soulful flavor with a brother crooning the hook about the Bay is “Here To Stay!” On “Got Lyrics?” he became a bit ambitious in his quest for MC supremacy.

Mike Watts / Paul Wall / Jiz Nickelz – Grind Winters Out – Watts Records

Sometimes when I hear “Crack Music” that glorifies dope dealers, grinding, and trapping, I really like it. Such is the case here. This song is a manifesto for those on the grind on how to “play the summer away and grind the winters out.” The beat is a midtempo, mesmerizing concoction. I like this song and think we might be hearing more from Mike Watts.

Black Eyed Peas – Pump It – A&M

The Peas deliver a fast-paced frenzied dance jam on this single. It features a really dope horn with a nonstop drum track. This song has been featured in commercials already so it should be familiar to everyone. This song should do well with Black Eyed Peas core fans.

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Juvenile – What’s Happening – Atlantic

Juvenile jacks Sir Mix-A-Lot’s underground classic, “My Posse’s On Broadway” for this single. The beat is an updated version of Mix’s original 808 kick drum that he was listening to when he and his posse busted left on their way to Broadway. In a tribute to Mix-A-Lot, Juvy also rocks a flow very similar to the originator of the song.

Mobb Deep – Put Them In Their Place – G Unit

Most Mobb Deep fans surely fear the influence of the G Unit will have on one of Hip Hop’s, all-time, under-rated groups. Well, at least on this single, your fears should be alleviated for a moment. Produced by Havoc and Sha Money XL, they take us back to that “Shook Ones” flavored grimy, dirt level rhymes that made us all take notice in the first place. This is a good song with that classic Queensbridge feel and hopefully portends more good things to come from The Infamous Mobb Deep.

T.I. – What You Know – Grand Hustle

T.I. always makes songs that me feel like I’m the king of the world. I think nothing can bother me when I’m listening to a T.I. song. If you don’t know, then T.I. takes the time to inform you on “What You Know.” The beat features classic, deep-fried, southern bass and synths, as T.I. drops his trademark flow on the slumping beat. This song should have crowds bouncing coast to coast.

J. Dandridge / Mistah F.A.B. – Yurple

J. Dandridge is a dope MC from Oakland who’s poised to blow up real soon. This single is a good step in that direction. This song explains exactly what it’s like out here in the Bay. J. Dandridge and the Bay’s new Crown Prince, Mistah F.A.B., aka Fabby Davis Jr. spin tales of riding through Oakland with “purple” all in the trunk, passing the blunt, and chasing rippers. The beat is slamming with that Bay Hyphy flavor. You all need to check for J. Dandridge.

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