What's good Houston? The next few months are gonna be huge for Houston hip-hop with major Houston artists dropping albums left and right. We have established ourselves as a major hip-hop culture city, and this next few months will determine if we actually stay up on top or not. Today I just want to go over some of the good things we can definately expect to come out of this nexy quarter, and some things that may or may not go well.
Let's start if off with a CD that will definately be straight fire. The new album from UGK called U.G.K Underground Kingz is set to release on April 3rd of 2007 and is definately one of the albums this year that I am looking forward to buying on the day of it's release. This will be the 6th major release from Bun B and Pimp C's group UGK. When you think of southern rap UGK has got to be the first thing that pops into your head. Nobody puts together that down south country vibe like these dudes, and that is why they call their music "country rap tunes." It's been a minute since the last UGK album and I know everybody in the H and all over the map is ready for the release of this album. According to UGK's website, http://www.the-ugks.com/, this will be a double album with 32 tracks. The line up of guest artist is rediculous with appearances by Z-Ro, T.I., Talib Kweli, Rick Ross, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Young Buck, Mike Jones, Sleepy Brown, Three 6 Mafia, Birdman, Lil Wayne, and many more. You can also hit up the website I posted above to hear a few cuts off the new album. The first single is entitled "The Game Belongs to Me" and is already blazing on radio stations all over the place.
Here's an old UGK video just to let you get a feel of how these dudes do their thing:
UGK- Take it Off
Another album that we know is gonna be jammin all over Houston is the new Devin the Dude album, set to release on March 13, 2007. This album is another reason that I am confident Houston, TX will remain a hip-hop powerhouse and continue to put out some of the best in hip-hop for years to come. Devin is one of the most well-rounded artists I have ever heard. He can go from being a comedian to a preacher in a split-second. He is a dude I have started listening to more and more, and cannot wait to cop his new album. As well respected as Devin is he has never gotten the national attention he deserves (atleast sales wise), and hopefully this album can push him into the nation spotlight. One of the tracks off the new album is called "Little Girl Gone" and I have posted it before so I know some of ya'll heard it...however I can no longer find the video to post so you'll have to listen to it on Devin's myspace at www.myspace.com/devinthedude.
I'm gonna post one of my favorite Devin songs. This shit is just funny and chill. Devin is one of rap's best kept secrets.
Devin the Dude- Lacville '79
Here is an album that I can see going either way. Lil' Flip is either gonna come back huge on this album, shooting the middle finger up to Sony and all the people who doubt his return, or he's gonna blow it. I have heard a few cuts off the Flip album that is scheduled for release March 27, 2007 and I have dug 'em all so far. The album is entitled I Need Mine. A few months back Sony leaked the entire album, causing Flip to change labels to Asylum, and re-record most of the album. Now the fact that it's been 3 years since Flip dropped an album scares me a little. After the whole T.I. beef thing I feel like Flip lost alot of credibility...regardless of if any of that shit was true. I think that whole situation affected Flip and T.I. negatively, and put their situation in the rap game under bad lighting. Now, T.I. has already come back dropping King and has obviously proven that the beef didn't affect his work ethic or album sales. Lil' Flip is going to have to try and prove the exact same thing when he releases I Need Mine. I know Flip has money in the bank and has already established himself nationally, but somtimes I wonder if dude really gives a fuck anymore. We will see on March 27th.
Lil' Flip- I'm A Balla
Here is one of the first singles that will be released off of the new album. Looks like a good start to me.
Lil' Flip- Fly Boy
Another single. Diss track? Haaa. Obviously the video is in no way related to the song.
Lil' Flip feat. Lyfe Jennings- Ghetto Mindstate
I know I already posted this...but it's gonna be on the new album and it's a throwed song.
You gotta agree with that line "Why everybody tryna bring me down? Because of me they respect H Town." I mean Lil' Flip was the first dude to break out huge from Houston and really get that national attention. He was the first dude to go out and go platinum (actually double). I know ya'll remember the first time you saw Flip on BET or MTV and you were like holy shit...that's Flip.
Alright ya'll later this week we'll talk about the Jokaman album, update on the Cham album, and talk about Paul Wall and Mike Jones albums also.
