Ken Haddad's Blog

Produced/Edited by Ken Haddad
Camera by Joel McNamara

First off, let me say, I am not a huge fan of Nas. I don't think he's as good as people play him out to be. He's put out a plethora of music that has been average at best. That being said, I wouldn't have downloaded "Distant Relatives", the new Nas & Damien Marley album, if Damien Marley wasn't on it. So, for the first time on the Ken Haddad blog, I am reviewing an album with Nas on the cover.


"Distant Relatives" is a 13-track album featuring Nas and Damien Marley. I must say, I love the mix. The combination of reggae and hip hop has always been a great relationship, but this was done to perfection. And also, the album has a message, which is always good in my book. I recently read that Nas said that Damien Marley "Saved Him". Whatever that means. I refuse to give Nas too much credit for me liking this. I am a reggae fan, always have been. Nas is simply a compliment to Damien on this album. And in my book, Nas is a good compliment.

On another note...

The new Reflection Eternal album, RPM, is another classic from the Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek duo. They never seem to disappoint. They are real hip hop, get familiar.

P.S.
You can like rap again.

Why should you listen to Chiddy Bang? Well, not for the name. Chiddy Bang is ridiculous. Infact, they sat rotting on my C drive for a good week because I couldn't convince myself to listen to someone called Chiddy Bang.

But looking through the tape, one track stood out like a sore thumb. Slow Down ft. Black Thought. Yup. Black Thought, of The Roots. So, I winced, and listened to Chiddy Bang.

Not bad. Infact, the new group is pretty good. And not dumb either. In the ongoing skit, they refer to a manager of 'Major Label Inc.' who goes by the name of 'Mike Hoffman' (my coffin). I laughed when I got that. Nothing like industry commentary from brand new artists.

The intelligence actually seeps into their songs as well:

"They ask, 'how you make the world feel it?
I say it's DNA; it's just in my double-helix"

Dope. They're rhyming about chemistry. Definitely innovative.

It's very hard to describe what they sound like. There is a very light, pop feel, combined with prominent hip-hop lyricism. So, if you don't trust me, trust Black Thought. Download Chiddy Bang's The Swelly Express today.

Reflection Eternal & J-Cole "Just Begun" from THADOUBLEO.COM on Vimeo.

"Plain Pat What Up?!"

Kid Cudi Meet & Greet last year.

Albums coming out this year that I'm looking forward to.


--To The Sea - Jack Johnson
--Recovery - Eminem
--Revolutions Per Minute - Reflections Eternal
--Thank Me Later - Drake
--Instant Gratification - N.E.R.D.
--Lasers- - Lupe Fiasco

--Cole World - J. Cole
--How I Got Over - The Roots
--Finally Famous - Big Sean
--Good Ass Job - Kanye West
Also, Chiddy Bang, Charles Hamilton, Mike Posner and XV.

Dear Lupe,

Hey, how's it going? Yeah, it's me again, you haven't written back...ever. But I'm sure you're busy...so I'll let it go. Anyway, I hope the Steppin Lasers Tour is doing well, I was there. It was a dope show, even though you never talk to me and Stevie Soul. I appreciate the air condition you gave us. Maybe next time, we can have some chairs. Anyway, we'll talk soon. LASERS.

-Ken

P.S. I'm still fuxin wit ya.



.....

P.S.S... Sorry for clapping on my chest, instead of with my hands...

P.S.S.S... Don't worry, I'm still fuxin wit ya..

Ladies and Gentlemen.... With the Second Pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, The Detroit Lions select....

Ndamukong Suh!!!!!!!!!


YES!!

We did it!!!

Ok... alright, can't wait for the 2nd round....


.........

Oh! Lions trade with Vikings for pick 30!

Lions select.....Jahvid Best!!


YESSSS!!!

Lions are winning the Super Bowl this year.

Blog over.

If you don't know already, Jake Gidell and I have been doing a podcast for a few months now, and we've had pretty good feedback. We don't know how much longer we're going to be doing it, but I hope people are enjoying it, as much as we enjoy doing them. People always ask if we do it for school, but we don't. We just do it in our free time. If you haven't heard it, you can hear some episodes here http://kenhaddad.mypodcast.com

Or you can listen to the Newest Episode, featuring Stevie Soul HERE > http://www.divshare.com/download/11126164-640

And Stay Tuned for a brand new look to www.StevieSoul.com, a all new, more powerful blog is coming...

B.o.B. aka Bobby Ray is FINALLY dropping his album this week. Although the album has already leaked to the inter-webs, I am predicting that BOB sells more albums than Kid Cudi and Wale. I'm not saying he's better than them, but he definitely connects with more people. His mix of rock, hip hop, blues, and reggae is FRESH! The album is dope, Bobby Ray is dope, and I think he's going to be around for a while.

ALSO...

If you haven't messed with Chiddy Bang yet, you're missing out. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, check out the mixtape "The Swelly Express". Thank you.

Secrest Out.

The NFL released the Detroit Lions' 2010 schedule tonight. Here it is (we'll have more analysis to come):



• Sept. 12 at Chicago, 1 p.m., Fox

• Sept. 19 vs. Philadelphia, 1 p.m., Fox

• Sept. 26 at Minnesota, 1 p.m., Fox

• Oct. 3 at Green Bay, 1 p.m., Fox

• Oct. 10 vs. St. Louis, 1 p.m., Fox

• Oct. 17 at New York Giants, 1 p.m., Fox

• Oct. 24 Bye

• Oct. 31 vs. Washington, 1 p.m., Fox

• Nov. 7 vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m., CBS

• Nov. 14 at Buffalo, 1 p.m., Fox

• Nov. 21 at Dallas, 1 p.m., Fox

• Nov. 25 vs. New England, 12:30 p.m., CBS

• Dec. 5 vs. Chicago, 1 p.m., Fox

• Dec. 12 vs. Green Bay, 1 p.m., Fox

• Dec. 19 at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m., Fox

• Dec. 26 at Miami, 1 p.m., Fox

• Jan. 2 vs. Minnesota, 1 p.m., Fox

This is kinda hot... I just don't know if he actually wrote this. Who's House? Diggy's...

I had to rub my eyes for this one... But... Its true. Check it out.

Ladies and Gentleman, courtesy of Chris Daniels, I introduce to you, XV.



You might say, Ken! Who in the hell is XV? Well I'm here to tell you. XV, or Vizzy, is one of the top 5 upcoming artists in the hip hop world right now. Some people might call me late on this one, but I really don't care.
XV brings content, lyrics, the right beats, even the ones that aren't his. He's arrogant when he needs to be, and he's humble when he needs to be. He provides a wide variety of topics, unlike some rappers, like Drake, he has a broader spectrum of lyrics. As for the rest of hip hop... Right now it's a big waiting game. With albums expected from Big Sean, Lupe Fiasco, B.o.B., Kid Cudi, Mike Posner, Drake and J. Cole, the sky's the limit. It's the takeover.... 2010, the year of the NEW SCHOOL.


Mixtapes to check out from XV: Recycle Bin, Everybody's Nobody, 30 Minute Layover.

Lyrical mastermind J. Cole has taken another step towards being noticed by the hip hop community. In my opinion, J. Cole is the best young rapper out yet. His mixtapes are stellar from front to back, and the most impressive thing is that he does most of his own beats. He's gracing the upcoming issue of Source magazine, which is a good put on for him. I can't wait for his first album.