Curren$y - "Here EP" (Review)

Okay. Best album art of the year. The rest of you can try, but yeah. Spitta's got it. No worries though. Second place still gets a a nice tote bag.

After Curren$y dropped, like, 209 albums in a two year period, one would be forgiven for thinking he might fall off. After so many verses, is it even possible that the guy had anything left in the tank? If there was any sort of upper limit to the number of lyrics a human being can feasibly construct in a lifetime, surely the New Orleans MC had to be nearing it.

As if the copious volumes of THC slowly being absorbed through his lungs have given him clairvoyance into the anxious minds of his listeners, Spitta dropped his five-track EP Here last week in order to tide them over until March's The Stoned Immaculate.

 Hit the jump for a track by track breakdown.

Kanye's New Clothes

While Kanye's music career may have attended Ball So Hard University, his fashion career may have dropped out of Ball So Hard Community College. 

Despite his first attempt at fashion design being doo-doo'd upon, Kanye West is determinedly dropping his second effort at women's wear at this year's Paris Fashion Week. Concordantly, Guinness World Records officials will be on-site to confirm the record for Most Playings of "Niggas in Paris" in a Single Week.

HIP HOP IS DEAD

It finally happened. Okay, to be fair, this was a long time in the making, and should come as no surprise to anyone having endured the roughly ten years of pretty abysmal output from the genre. Sure, there were flashes brilliance here and there, but the aughts also bore the artist Chingy, mind you. I knew it was terminal after Little Brother broke up, but I thought we'd have more time... I was wrong. The ailing movement took a turn for the worse after hearing this, and finally succumbed to its injuries surrounded by close friends and family this morning upon learning of the release of G.O.P. campaign tool "Hoot for Newt." I wish I were kidding. Reportedly, the genre's lasts words were, "F'real? Fuck that, I'm out this piece."

Hit the jump for the wackness fraught "joint" that killed hip hop. And before you ask, yes, these kids do hail from Florida.

Lana Del Rey - A story about last summer.

Lana Del Rey first drew my attention last summer. It could have been her gorgeous appearance, or the fact that her lead single was called "Video Games." Whatever it was that drove me to click on a non-hip hop music link, it is an impulse I am eternally grateful I indulged in.

Attention All Trill Ass N****s, Three 6 Mafia To Play Portland Friday 27 January 2012

Yes, that's right. If you weren't already tipped off by the recent rash of pharmacy robberies, Academy Award winning, American hip hop group Three 6 Mafia are, in fact, Rose City bound.

In what is sure to be Portland's most 'throwed' show in recent memory, the group that once ate so many shrimp, they got iodine poisoning (swag) is poised to soundtrack a night of syrup-laden debauchery the likes of which we haven't seen since... well, since the last time Three 6 Mafia came to town. Those of you stockpiling promethazine-codeine for a rainy day, this is your moment, provided it's not expired like our bottle. You had better hightail it to the corner store before they sell out Sprite and Jolly Ranchers though.

Tickets are available here.

Now, for your listening pleasure, we present to you, the official music video for Three 6 Mafia's 'Sippin on Some Syrup'. Enjoy.

A$AP ROCKY'S 'WASSUP' VIDEO PREMIERE

Harlem up and comer A$AP Rocky has teamed up with Global Editor Andy Capper of VICE to produce the video for Rocky’s oblique condemnation of materialist philosophy, ‘Wassup’. Those who can’t be bothered to listen to lyrics, i.e., simpletons like Trent Fitzgerald at Complex magazine, will woefully misinterpret Rocky’s lament against the trappings of material wealth as just another vapid celebration of the very things the song decries, further bolstering my theory that most people in the world are retarded, but I digress. Are we witnessing the birth of a fame-eschewing paradigm shift in hip-hop music!? Probably not. But the video’s still well worth a look.

Hit the jump for the Official Video.

Action Bronson & Static Selektah - "Strictly Business"

Action Bronson & Static Selektah have returned as collabo-buddies. Well Done was dope, and with the first leak from New Jack City: Chopped and Screwed, they've given credence to our awarding Watch the Throne Album of the Year. That shit's influential. That whole mid-song-change-up thing that was all over Throne? Let's just say there's a reason this track is titled "Strictly Business - parts 1 & 2"

By the way, Action's follow-up tweet read, simply, "I am viral video." Follow this cat, now.

[via On Smash]

Meet the Latest Joke Rapper Who's Better than Most Regular Rappers

The line between "regular rap" and "joke rap" has become increasingly blurred over the last few years (not talking about Yung Humma). One of the most notable examples of that blurring is Childish Gambino, a blatantly talented rapper, but one who has had to use several tracks to openly plead for listeners to look past his alternate persona as comedian Donald Glover and take his bars seriously. In interviews, Glover has brought up the point that so-called "serious" rap is actually quite funny:

"Look at Lil Wayne, he is very funny! He has punch lines galore, like “my gun means business; the bitch should have a tie on.” But, because of his background people take him serious. I have a comedy background so people struggle to take me serious..."

As Glover points out, a rapper's background is key, if not absolutely integral to how an audience perceives them. Glover's background seems to fit the bill; he managed to escape the hood in a manner rappers claim to strive for: Without turning to drug-dealing or violence. Yet despite being honest about his upbringing, he will never find the mainstream success of a guy like Rick Ross, who has fabricated his way to the top of pop-rap.

If Glover was able to turn an internet sketch series into a writing gig on what was then the funniest show on television, turn that into a starring role on what would become the funniest show on television (different shows - neither of which retains its title) all while earing a degree from NYU and writing and starring in a feature film and still can't get his rise to fame respected, what chance does Cancer Merchant have?

K'naan "Nothing to Lost ft. NaS"

Not really feeling this song that much. But I've been on a Nas kick lately, and if you're desperately seeking something that sounds exactly like K'naan's World Cup Anthem "Waving Flag," it'll do the trick.

K'naan has some talent, and this one starts off sounding like it's going to be a quiet little banger, but then it goes all sing-song, World Peace and kinda loses it. I bet several layers of the beat are actually recordings of doves flying around with olive branches in their beaks.

And whatever talent he may have goes out the window on his second verse, dropping hashtag bars like: "Thought you new me? Well go back and delete it/I'm in every joint this year. #Orthopedic?"

Come on man.

The Salties (Best Rap Album)

After three harrowing weeks of epithet-laden deliberation in Ultimate Salt’s situation room, adjourning only for the exigencies of burrito eating and self-abuse, we’ve finally reached a tenuous compromise that should satisfy both casual fans and aficionados alike.

So, without further ado, I present to you US’s 2011 winner for best album…

The Enigmatic Allure of Mac Miller and The Ominous Future It Portends For Generation Y.

Let me start out by saying that I love vapid party rap as much as any 16 year-old kid on his first of many Mac Dre kicks. That is to say that Thizz Entertainment has sound tracked many of my more ‘stewie’ nights. Anyone who doubts my veracity need only glance at my iTunes “Top 25 Most Played” playlist, on which you’ll find a number of party rap staples, among a number of other lesser known but still totally hittin’ odes to hedonism, a brand of hip hop which in a rather lamentable turn of events has all but erased the once stalwart subgenre that was socially conscious rap.

Kalil Kash - "Soul ft. Otis Clapp & Cavalier"

I stumbled across Kalil Kash on the sixtyone about two years ago; you know, back when it was still usable? Admittedly, he had completely slipped my mind until today, when one of his tracks popped up on Kevin Nottingham.

The dude is sick. A crazy talented MC, with a nice soulful beat.

Kalil Kash feat. Otis Clapp & Cavalier - Soul by Kalilkash

[Spotted at Kevin Nottingham - good find]

Schoolboy Q - "Grooveline pt. 1 ft. Dom Kennedy &Curren$y"

Black Hippy collaborator Schoolboy Q, who was loudly praised just last night by Ultimate Salt favorite Action Bronson, drops a new track featuring ol' Spitta and Dom Kennedy, with Lex Luger handling the beat. 


As can be expected from guys with songs like "Bet I got Some Weed" (Q) and "Smoke Break" (Spitta) the track is chill as fuck. I don't know if a track has come this hard with the chillness before. I don't even know if this counts as chill anymore, because it brings the mellowness with such fierce determination.

But it's Friday. You ain't got shit to do. Sit back and let this one wash over you.

ScHoolboy Q - Groovline Pt. 1 Feat. Dom Kennedy & Curren$y Prod Lex Lex Luger #HnC 1-14 by TopDawgENT

SIDENOTE: Action Bronson and Curren$y are ferociously battling a war for best Twitter account ever.

Jon Connor - Go Get Season 2 Just Blaze on the track

In keeping with the Terminator theme of the previous post, the heroically named Jon Connor hops on a Just Blaze beat to drop a nice reminder to pick up his Season 2 mixtape. Which you can do here.

[via Real Hip Hop Head]

Big K.R.I.T. x Clams Casino

Genre-defying producer Clams Casino of "I'm God" fame reworks Big K.R.I.T.'s Moons & Stars to his liking, eschewing his decidedly darker sonic aesthetic in favor of brighter tones and relaxed hues here. Sounds like summer to me. Peep game. (via Fader)

Stalley - "The Night" (ft. Rashad)

Stalley's been on my radar since one-upping Curren$y on Pilot Talk's best track, "Address Change." And now, everyone's favorite long-bearded MC drops a video for the track "The Night" off his album Lincoln Way Nights, which you can download at itunes. As always, I recommend avoiding DRM protected music at all costs, so pick up a hard copy at your local retailer, or just download it illegally and send Stalley a check for 12 bucks.



The video's nice, and while Stalley struggles with the syntax on some of his bars, the song's smooth-as-melted-butter beat will make you forget all about it.

Kelz turns 45!

In honor of modern R&B progenitor Robert Sylvester Kelly's 45th birthday, we at Ultimate Salt thought it only right to pay reverence to him with one of our favorite Kelz videos. This one comes replete with shots of Patron, cigars, gambling, gaudy sunglasses on men that were probably intended to be worn by women, and also lots of real talk, as R. Kelly tells his girl what's what.

Robert, your candor and your maturity in dealing with conflict are an inspiration to us all. Also, your music made it possible for me to grab girls' lower backs at middle school dances, which was awesome. For all the joy you've brought into our lives, we thank you.

Common vs. Drake

Remember when rap beef used to mean someone was getting killed? What's Drake going to do now that Common has fired back at his shit talking? Squirt baby powder at him?



This has potential to be the softest rap feud ever. Stay tuned.


[spotted on Kevin Nottingham again]

Jay-Z "Glory ft. B.I.C." -Neptunes on the track

Jay-Z commemorates the birth of his first child with what would have been the best track on The Blueprint 3 (although that's not saying much). Interspersed between snippets of little Blue Ivy Carter herself is Jay waxing poetic on his newfound fatherhood.

It's a pretty cool track.



[spotted on Kevin Nottingham]

Thug Waffle

Kudos to homie Ben who put me onto these Brooklynites. I'm not normally into weed raps that weren't penned by Devin the Dude (Curren$y gets a pass too), but these guys have a Heltah Skeltah vibe going, and I dig that. Can't wait to hear more.