Joe Budden’s first single dropped in the summer of 2003. The
subsequent video for the Just Blazed produced track featured elements
of the Naomi Watts horror flick, The Ring. Instead of a deranged
twelve year old girl climbing through our television sets, it was the
light skinned rapper from Jersey. Can we also pinpoint this clip as
the inception of Joey’s love for video chicks?

9. Ludacris – How Low
Chris Bridges is known for taking established concepts and turning
them on their ear. He and director, Dave Meyers use the basis of
Candyman as inspiration for the clip. Women no longer needed to
whisper Candyman’s name three times in front of a mirror for his guest
appearance. Drop it low enough and Luda would show up and watch her
bend over to the front and touch her toes.

Erykah Badu established herself a visual artist with her premiere
video. “On & On” is a Cinderella story set against The Color Purple
backdrop. We find Ms. Badu folding laundry, chasing after dogs, and
struggling to get a comb through a little girl’s tough hair. The best
part is when Erykah finally gets her Shug Avery on and the woman
snaps,” I know that ain’t my table cloth she got on!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CPCs7vVz6s

Hov drew a line in the sand with “D.O.A.” He wanted artists to get
more creative in their music making. However, video director, Anthony
Mandler, lifted the concept from the ’70s Italian film, Zabriskie
Point. The stark contrast between the dark lighting of the background
juxtaposed with the garish look of exploding objects pays homage to
Michelangelo Antonioni’s vision. Sidenote: Thank heavens Jigga had the
clippers grace his scalp in the clip. He had dudes walking around
looking wreckless following behind him.

6. Ashanti – Foolish
For Ashanti’s first solo outing, she wrote a song many women could
relate to. Nothing drove the message of being foolish for staying with
a partner who mistreats you home more so than the Irv Gotti helmed
flick. Gotti’s affinity for mob movies is further proven as he places
Ashanti and Terrance Howard in the role of Henry and Karen Hill from
Goodfellas. Howard gallivants with jump offs without regard,
while Ashanti is the dutiful wife at home, stuck.

5. D-12 – Fight Music
“Fight Music” is a rambunctious anthem to get listeners hyped. The
video matched the spirit of the record. Based on the ’70s classic, The
Warriors, the video features a mob of men carrying different kinds of
weapons with the intent to harm the dirty dozen. The group call on
their allies and the video ends with an intense face off. Can you dig
it?

4. Redman – Whateva Man
Redman and his partner in crime, Method Man parody The Blues Brothers
in the visual for “Whateva Man.” We follow a day in the life of these
two cool guys after one is released from the state pen. Think of this
as the precursor to their weed comedy, How High.

Bussa Bus has made of the most incredible videos this side of the
’90s.One of his best is the joint for the 1997 hit, “Put Your Hands
Where My Eyes Can See.” Directed by Hype Williams, the clip was a
spoof of Eddie Murphy’s classic, Coming To America, with Trevor Smith
playing Prince Akeem. Despite the the eye popping graphics and
visuals,fans commented immensely about the high energy African
choreography by Fatima Robinson performed at half speed. Pure genius.

2. Nas- Street Dreams
Based on Casino, Nas parallels life on ghetto blocks with the plot of
the Scorsese drama. This is Hype Williams during his pinnacle. A video that
features ostentatious colors and the stacking effect is classic Hype.
The cinematic style only added to its mystique. But no matter how good
the video is, everyone will constantly refer to it as the one where Nas wore a pastel pink suit.

1. 2Pac & Dr. Dre – California Love
In 1995, 2Pac had just gotten out of prison and was itching to record.
When he heard the Dre production, he knew this was going to be a huge
smash. While Pac was right, the video is sits right alongside it in
the pantheon of hip hop greatness. Add it up, a young Chris Tucker and
Tony Cox acting a fool and Roger Troutman’s cameo set in a
futuristic Mad Max Beyond The Thunderdome world and you have a recipe
for success. No matter how hard anyone tries, this video remains king.

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Jersey rapper Heathen is making his spot in the game known with this new trailer for Heathen’s highly anticipated album “The Head Trip” Presented by Stall & Dean. In the trailer the Brick City MC speaks on his inspirations (one of those not really being Redman?!) and ambitions.

He makes some cogent points about artist development and lazy A&R practices, but  Red don’t be mad at the visitor’s pass. Def Jam doesn’t own that building.

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The tracklist for Lil’ Wayne’s new EP, I’m Not A Human Being, was revealed today, and we couldn’t help but notice that the first track on the album was called “Gonorrhea.”  That inspired us to go back and listen to some our favorite hip-hop records that dealt with STD’s.

With STDs affecting the African-American community at an alarming rate, we figured now’s as good a time as any to put this list together!

Kool Moe Dee “Go See The Doctor”

Kool Moe Dee’s 1986 single “Go See The Doctor” may have been the first hip-hop song to directly address STDs.  The hilarious song is a bonafide hip-hop classic and set Kool Moe Dee’s solo career in motion!

I rocked her to the left / rocked her to the right / She felt so good / Hugged me so tight / I said “Goodnight / Three days later / Woke up fussing / Yelling and cussing / Drip drip dripping / and puss puss pushing / I went to the bathroom and said “Mama Mia!” / I’m a kill that girl next time I see her

88 Keys feat. Redman “The Burning Bush”

From 88 Keys’ The Death Of Adam concept album, Redman tells a tale about catching syphilis from some random girl he hooked up with.

Got drunk got high then I took a p*ss / I’m like… Aww s**t! / Knowing that it’s syphilis I got scary / Cuz every pee drop was hotter than curry!

Wu-Tang Clan “America”

Taken from the Red Hot Foundation’s America Is Dying Slowly compilation, Wu-Tang’s “America” was just one of many songs that dealt with the AIDS epidemic in the country.

Yo, as she lay, she wore a silk gray negligee / Alizé pours, the radio play, Marvin Gaye / What’s Going On? As she screams Sexual Healing / Couldn’t fight the feeling her legs hit the ceiling / Hittin all positions dipped in for quick love / She’s professional she does this shit in strip clubs / Flied in June until she Acquired Immune Deficiency / Now misery is the Syndrome

Boogie Down Productions “Jimmy”

KRS-One isn’t known as “The Teacher” for no reason.  In “Jimmy,” the Blastmaster educated hip-hop heads about the importance of wearing condoms.

When Jimmy releases, boy it pleases / But what do you do about all these diseases? / Jimmy is Jimmy, no matter what / So take care of Jimmy cos you know what’s up / ‘Cuz now in winter AIDS attacks / So run out and get your Jimmy Hats / It costs so little for a pack of three / They’re Jimmy Hats for the winter attack

Ice Cube “Look Who’s Burnin’”

One of our personal favorites, Ice Cube’s tale of running into an old flame at the free clinic while he was there to pick up some free condoms (suuuure, Cube), is one of the best songs in hip-hop about safe sex.

Yo, it ain’t my fault you got the heebie-jeebies / But you still try to act like you didn’t see me / So I walk over, and say “Hi, b***h don’t try to act surprised” / You shoulda put a sock on the pickle / And your p***y wouldn’t be blown’ smoke signals.”

A Tribe Called Quest “Pubic Enemy”

“Bonita Applebum”‘s line about all the “crazy prophylactics” that Q-Tip and crew had weren’t their only acknowledgment to the need to stop the spread of STDs.

Suddenly, she’s been distracted / By something that has been attracted / She poked and poked and smacked at it / Then she broke down and she scratched it / Now, I think you understand / Clinic, saw the doctor flex his biceps / Then he picked up a pair of forceps / Her pretty face showed fright / Right then and there, she fainted / A really grim picture is painted / The brotha who she acquainted / Was the enemy, scary ain’t it? / The Pubic Enemy

Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg “Nuthin’ But A G Thang”

Snoop Dogg dropped a little nugget of wisdom in his verse on Dre’s classic single.  These are words to live by, folks!

Perfection is perfected, so I’ma let ‘em understand / from a young G’s perspective / And before me dig out a b***h I have ta’ find a contraceptive / You never know she could be earnin’ her man / and learnin’ her man – and at the same time burnin’ her man / Now you know I ain’t with that s**t, Lieutenant / Ain’t no p***y good enough to get burnt while I’m up in it

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Eminem “I’m Shady”

We still don’t know if Em was joking or being serious when he spit these lines…

That’s why I’m still broke and had the number one club hit / But they love it when you make your business public / So f**k it, I’ve got herpes while we on the subject / And if I told you I had AIDS y’all would play it / cause you stupid motherf*****s think I’m playin when I say it

Ol Dirty Bastard “Raw Hide”

Dirt McGirt wasn’t exactly a poster child for safe sex, as he fathered 13 children. In the song “Raw Hide,” ODB makes it known that sharing needles is a sure fire way to get the HIV virus.

Imagine, gettin shot up with Ol Dirty insulin / You bound to catch AIDS or somethin / Not sayin I got it, but n***a if I got it you got it!!

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“Party” is a feel good, uptempo number from her forthcoming album, Something About Faith.

This cut gives us good vibes!

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Ever since the release of “Monster” there’s been a lot of the chatter around the multiple personalities Nicki Minaj channeled during her verse. While we think the rookie did the damn thing talking to yourself on a track is nothing new in the rap game.  Here are five of our favorite examples of dissociative identity disorder on a song.

“Redman Meets Reggie Noble”

On this track from his debut album Redman plays the dozens with his government name redefining the phrase “self-hate.”

Biggie “Gimme The Loot”

On one of the most sinister tracks from Ready To Die Biggie plots a robbery with himself where even pregnant women catch a bad one. I thought this was another dude on the track for years. No lie.

Slick Rick “Mona Lisa”

MC Ricky D’s style made you feel like he was two MCs on the mic most of the time but it came in especially handy during his classic storytelling verses like this.

Tracey  Lee “Clue”

This slept-on hip-hop whodunnit featured Tracey Lee taking on not one, not two but four different personalities to solve a murder.

Beanie Sigel “Dear Self”

In this heartfelt discussion with his Id Beanie sounds almost genuinely repentant for all the wrong he’s done. I wish he could bring this much sense to his recent exploits and get back to making good music like this.

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VIDEO: Redman Pays Tribute To MJ On “Lookin Fly”

Even though hip-hop has become modern day pop music, it’s still quite the WTF moment when a hip-hop artist teams up with a teenybopper pop star.  Over the years, there have been no shortage of these sort of Hood-meets-Suburbia collaborations, and with differing results.

Some of them have are bonafide classics, and some of them were ideas that were doomed from inception (no DiCaprio).

And don’t worry, when that Kanye West/Raekwon/Justin Bieber song drops, we’ll be sure to let you know our opinion!

Katy Perry & Snoop Dogg “California Girls” (2010)

Former Christian music singer Katy Perry walked away from the old rugged cross a few years ago and pretended like she’d never read the Book of Leviticus before when she hit big with her song “I Kissed A Girl.”  This summer, Perry’s landed another hit single with “California Girls,” which features everyone’s favorite pimpin Crip, Snoop Dogg.

We can’t front that the song is rather catchy, but it’s rather odd seeing Snoop “Murder Was The Case That They Gave Me” Dogg in this cotton candy world rapping over next Katy Perry.

Eminem “Won’t Back Down” (feat. Pink) (2010)

For all of his anti-pop sentiments from early in his career, it was both rather funny and sad when we found out that Eminem had recorded songs with both Pink and Rihanna for his new album.  The end result wasn’t as bad as we expected, at least concerning the Pink collab.  That Rihanna song that everyone’s tripping over themselves about is another story for another day…

Britney Spears & The Ying Yang Twins “I Got That Boom Boom” (2003)

How this one slipped under the radar, we’ll never know.  America’s pop princess teamed up with the “Wait’ll you see my d*ck” guys for this album track from her In The Zone album.  It’s not as bad as you’d think.

Christina Aguilera & Redman “Dirrty” (2002)

Christina Aguilera encountered a lot of controversy when the video for her collaboration with Redman was released, and it wasn’t because she had teamed up with the legendary weed aficionado. It was moreso due to the rather raunchy video that accompanied the song.  The song wasn’t a huge hit for Aguilera, and Redman seemed to phone his part in.

Pink & Redman “Get The Party Started” (Sweet Dreams Remix) (2001)

A year before he teamed up with Christina Aguilera, Redman hopped on this Rockwilder remix to Pink’s smash hit single “Get The Party Started.” We weren’t mad at this back in 2001, and we aren’t too mad at it now.

The Jonas Brothers & Common “Don’t Charge Me For The Crime” (2009)

This track seemed to come out of nowhere.  The Jonas Brothers somehow managed to get Common to guest on their song “Don’t Charge Me For The Crime.”  This track did nothing to win back fans that Rashid lost with his Finding Forever and Universal Mind Control albums.

MOP & LFO “Life Is Good” (2001)

Usually when the topic of hip-hop/pop collaborations come up, this infamous pairing of the squeaky clean LFO with the only rappers we’re genuinely scared of will be the first song mentioned.  And rightfully so.  This song made absolutely no sense to anyone when it dropped in 2001, and makes even less in 2010.  It’s also worth noting that the Lyte Funky Ones also collaborated with De La Soul on the same album in which this song

MOP & Victoria Beckham (aka Posh Spice of the Spice Girls) “It’s That Simple” (2003)

Speaking of the Mash Out Posse, in 2003 Dame Dash had them record this song with Victoria Beckham, former Spice Girl and wife of British football (read: soccer) star David Beckham.  The song never made it much further than a white label 12″, and with good reason. It sucks.  It’s that simple.

Backstreet Boys & Pusha T “The Call” (Neptunes Remix) (2001)

Before he and Malice were spitting coke tales on their Lord Willin’ album, Pusha T was making guest appearances on songs like the Neptunes’ remix of the Backstreet Boys’ “The Call.”  The song is hot…. until the Backstreet Boys start singing.

N*Sync & Nelly “Girlfriend” (Remix) (2002)

N*Sync went out with a bang with the remix to “Girlfriend,” their final single as a group. Produced by the Neptunes, Justin Timberlake and crew got Nelly to bless their swan song with a verse.

New Kids On The Block & Nice & Smooth “Dirty Dawg” (1994)

The New Kids grabbed Nice & Smooth for their last single before they broke up. The video was actually banned in Canada because of it’s “misogynistic themes” and suggested violence. Too bad the song wasn’t banned worldwide.

Madonna & 2Pac “Rather Be Your Lover” (unreleased) (1994)

2Pac and Madonna had a brief fling in 1994 that resulted in Pac recording a verse for Madonna’s then upcoming album, Bedtime Stories. Pac’s ensuing legal issues resulted in Madonna, who was trying to soften her image up a bit, to pull Pac off the song and replace him with Meshell Ndegeocello, who was signed to Madonna’s label at the time. Both versions of the song aren’t bad at all.

The Fat Boys & The Beach Boys “Wipeout” (1987)

The year is 1987 and The Fat Boys were starting to crossover to pop audiences. What better way to seal their status as pop stars than to collaborate with one of the biggest acts in classic pop music, The Beach Boys.

Wrong.

Mariah Carey & Ol’ Dirty Bastard “Fantasy” (Remix) (1995)

Mariah Carey’s made some of the best pop/hip-hop collaborations ever. Her songs with Bone Thugs N Harmony, Mobb Deep, Da Brat, Mase, and Nas were all hits.  It all started with this classic and odd pairing with Wu-Tang’s Ol’ Dirty Bastard.

“Me and Mariah go back like babies and pacifiers…”

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Despite the fact that Robert Wilson from the legendary Gap Band has recently passed away his music will live on. Here are some songs that have sampled the Gap Band.

5. You Blow My Mind Redman. Takes the vocal sample from Outstanding for Redman’s first single.

4. Signs Snoop Dogg ft. Justin Timberlake And Charlie Wilson. Snoop has done a great job keeping Charlie Wilson in the public eye and keeping the Gap Band’s legacy strong. He samples Early In The Morning for this hit.

3. Listen To The B-Side. Da Brat Ft. Notorious BIG. Da Brat samples Outstanding for a dope duet with Biggie Smalls.

2. Life’s A Bitch. Nas Ft. AZ. Nas samples Yearning For You Love for this Illmatic classic.

1. True To The Game. Ice Cube. Ice Cube turns the Gap Band’s happy upbeat love song, Outstanding, into a dark mean song about Uncle Toms and sell outs while still keeping the funk.

Check out the world premiere video of Redman’s “Lookin Fly” from his upcoming album, Reggie Noble. Directed by Dan the Man. (props to 2DB and OS)

Over a sample of The Jackson’s “Heartbreak Hotel” Red dons a tuxedo and pulls visual inspiration from the laser light show of “Rock With You.”

“Rock With You”

On April 20th, marijuana enthusiasts around the world celebrate the wacky tobacky with various events, parties, political rallies, and extended weed naps.

While we don’t necessarily condone the illegal use of marijuana, we do happen to enjoy quite a bit of the music it’s inspired.

Here are a few of our favorite weed anthems:

Rick James “Mary Jane” (1978)

Redman “How To Roll A Blunt”(1992)

Keith Murray “Get Lifted” (1994)

D’Angelo “Brown Sugar” (1995)

Styles P “Good Times” (2002)

HONORABLE MENTION
Cab Calloway “Reefer Man” (1932)

Check out last year’s list here!

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If you haven’t been paying attention over the years, Redman loves him some big girls.

From the “I’ll Be Dat” video to the hilarious inlay artwork from his last album, Red Gone Wild, Redman has made it obvious that he loves a little cushion for the pushin’.

Heres his latest ode to the big girls that he leaked on Twitter last night

Download this song for free, courtesy of Redman!

Redman also dropped another free song called “Gilla House Bounce.”  Download it here!

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Preparation for Easter Sunday will be a little easier for parents as rappers Method Man and Redman offer free haircuts and for kids at this year’s ADG Kids Cuts Day.

The second annual event, a joint venture between the entertainers and Staten Island, NY-based barbershop chain Against Da’ Grain (ADG), will provide haircuts and styling for children under the age of 12 from noon to 5 p.m. April 3.

Participating ADG locations include West Brighton at 821 Castleton Avenue and the barbershop’s flagship store at 61 Victory Blvd. (formerly the Wu-Tang/Wu-Wear Store).

ADG barbers as well as celebrity barber/stylists Sean White and Tariq will be on hand to provide haircuts for kids.

According to Redman, Kids Cuts Day is true example of ADG’s efforts to give back to the community.

Read the whole story at AllHipHop.com!

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After judging the iStandard beat battle in NYC last night I caught up with producer Illmind (Scarface, Boot Camp, Little Brother, Sean Price,Supastition) to talk about the new Redman record he did with Redman “Buck Buck.”

He actually gave a sneak peek of the beat at Beast Of The Beats 3 last year. Check track 2 at about the 1:00 mark. You can hear me saying Busta Rhymes would sound great over it. I was close…

And the finished product…

The Funk Doc is back with a brand new joint (no pun intended) from his forthcoming album, Reggie Noble 9 1/2.

The Just Blaze produced “Oh My” knocks hard, and is sure to please longtime Redman fans!

VIDEO: Redman’s “Coc Back” (Behind The Scenes)

VIDEO: Redman Says Jay-Z Needs To Give Props To Big L

What do you think?  Let us know in the comments!

Method Man recalls a close call with the cops that could’ve ended up much worse than it did.In this video interview for 247HH’s Wild Hip-Hop Tour Stories, Method Man recalls a night in Memphis when he was maced and arrested by police and narrowly avoided a drug charge thanks to Redman.

Video: Method Man Confirms Album w/ Ghost & Rae

Method Man Arrested For Tax Evasion

Redman is right on this one. Everybody says that Jay-Z wouldn’t be as big if BIG didn’t die, but Big L would’ve given him a lot of competition too. Big L had the flow the lyrics and street credibility to be the best in the game. Big L Rest In Peace.

Redman On Big L, Jay-Z, Big Pun, Eminem, etc from 2dopeboyz.com on Vimeo.

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Jay-Z And Big L Freestyle

“This is ‘Fast & Furious’ meets ‘XXX’ “– director, Clifford Bell

Does anyone think Esco has the money to cough-up per month? You rap geeks are lucky: Nas is gonna be recording rap albums until he’s 65. Ha!

If anyone has ever seen Ed Lover in person, you’ll know what they’re talking about. Huge @$$ domepiece, fam! Lol. Pause, no homo.

Check out the video below and don’t forget to cop their new album Blackout 2 in stores now!

Rihanna’s last album Good Girl Gone Bad has reached platinum status 12 times over! L.A. Reid and friends threw a little bash for her last night. Check out who showed up to congratulate her below:

“Funk doc be in the hood like Enfamil cases…”

The Fader magazine caught up with Redman & Method Man on the set of their video for “Ayo” and as expected the blunt brothers didn’t disappoint.

Jump to the 7:15 mark to hear what Mef has to think about Mr. Hot 97!