NaS - Queens Get The Money (unofficial)

People hate NaS but I will always have love for him. That dude is stillmatic... Back offa me.


Queens Get The Money Music Video from ENCYCLOPEDIA on Vimeo.

Dip-SHIT, Dip-SHIT, Dip-SHIT, Dip-SHIT!

Yo, when was the last time you were sitting around with the homies arguing over who are the best or even your favorite rappers; your top 5, top 10, top 20 or even top 100? At any point did ONE of the Dipset yappers come up? Jimmy? Juelz? Hell Rell? Duke? Freekey? 40 Cal? JR Writer? Shit, the last two or three, most of y’all never even heard of. I had to look them up to see who all was in the crew. What about former members? Cam’Ron? Max B? Be for real... These dudes are really not good. They are subpar at best as rappers and probably should stick to the streets where they have more credibility... Or do they? I have never heard so much filler music in my life. I have never heard so much anti-content in my life. I have never pressed FF so much in my life. I have never been as disappointed in the LOX as I was when they did the "Dipset/D-Block" joint... I mean, I even prefer “If You Think I’m Jiggy” over Jimmy’s guttural moanings on an otherwise bangin ass beat. All right, I’ll let Hell Rell slide for two reasons: 1. I actually don’t MIND him and 2. we chopped it up last year and he’s real cool people. That means more than his spit so I’m excluding him from the rest of the berating.



So, WTF is a Dipset Christmas? Seriously? I mean, didn’t you learn from Snoop Dogg? Has there been a good Christmas rap song since “Christmas in Hollis”? The answer is no. Get the fuck outta here with that shit. Did anyone really buy a Dipset Christmas cd? If so, you should stop reading this, get up from your broken down ass Dell piece of shit computer, walk into traffic and lie down. I’m sure Jimmy will stop and save you. Stallllliiiiiin’...

Jim Jones... At first, I was gonna go in on his name but then after some Wikipedia searching, I realized that it’s actually a good fit. Jim Jones, Sr. was responsible for leading over 900 to their deaths via mass suicide. Jim Jones, Jr. is responsible for making millions want to kill themselves for being tortured with “Ballin’” ringtones, radio play and that stupid ass dance. So, point for junior! Good name selection. This dude is simply boring though. That’s why VH1 didn’t move forward with the reality show. It could have all been summed up in one episode, similar to how all of his singles, albums and lyrics can be summed up in one song. It’s the same shit over and over again to different beats. I can already see the VH1 executives sitting in a board room, screening the pilot. “Who is this again?” “This is that Ballin’ guy.” “Oh yeah, I like that song. I bought that ringtone for my 5-year old. It came with a bunch of free coasters too!” “No, those were Jim’s cd’s.” “Ohhhhh. Well, I like his belt buckle. I have the same one.” Dude is not interesting, he takes shots at rappers who would crush him lyrically and they booted Cam from his own group. Cam was the most entertaining one! In summary, what’s the difference between Jimmy and Soulja Boy? The answer? Hometowns. Dame Dash can’t save you. And what’s up with the plays?? I’m sure even Diddy is like, “I run this city... And this playhouse too.”



Oh and then there’s Juelz. I want so much to like him but simply cannot. After I stole his album from the internet and tried to stomach 20 or so songs of his lack-of-attention yelping (AY! Look at me! Look at me! AY! AY!), I realized that even with a Rakim video cameo, there will be no seal of approval from me. The bandana thing is funny to look at, their whole style of clothes they stole from black skateboarders and white boys they don't respect otherwise, and the music is like lullabies. Chicks dig him, so he has that working for him, but outside of that, ehhhhhhhhh. I think his career is f’d in the a... No homo.



As for the rest, I have one question for you... WHO ARE YOU? And an even better one: WHO CARES? The answer? Nobody. I get 40 Cal confused with 40 Glocc (a whole OTHER story altogether) and I get JR Writer confused with... Actually, I don’t. There is no confusion. He’s just another rapper with nothing new to say. I’m having a hard time finishing this article because it’s boring writing about them.

And with that said, please be more selective with what you listen to. I’m not saying that Dipshit isn’t hip hop. I am simply saying that for every Rakim, there were a thousand Greyson and Jason’s... “WHO?” My point, exactly.

And before you comment, know that I don’t care. It’s my blog. Get your own.

Kiss my whole ass,
Montana.

PS -

“Pop Champagne”? Really? Seriously? Aaaaaaargh!

Call Me The Mad Blogger

I don't really give a shit. I'm tired of tapdancing around all of these bullshit artists. I'm tired of people saying that they respect Souljah Boy. They not saying they respect Hammer. They not saying they respect Young MC or Tone Loc. Them dudes got shitted on and Souljah can get it too. I don't care anymore. If your shit is trash, you need to know it's trash. Your boys around you obviously aren't telling you so why not someone you don't care about?? Might as well be me, I say! So, stay tuned because I'm telling you, no punches pulled. You can come find me and argue about my opinion and then I'll laugh at you. You want to beat up a blogger and say I'm hiding behind my computer? That's fine. You still suck. You want to say my own music sucks? That's cool. Your mom likes my shit. So I won. Twice. Shut up and retire. I'm out. Watch your back bitches...

The Mad Blogger has arrived. His name is Flo Montana and 09 is the year a lot of people get their feelings hurt. Be warned though. I'm good with this pen. Don't take it personally. No, take it personally. You should. You really should... Word.

Flo Montana aka Flobama over and out.

How High??

I feel like I'm at a crossroads. The other day, a buddy of mine gave me some Charles Hamilton to listen to. I had been reading about this guy and saw him in XXL recently but was being a stubborn asshole; sticking to what I already like. I had come to the conclusion awhile back that there are so many rappers out there that I just don't have time to pay them any attention. Everybody wants to rap nowadays and most of them suck so why waste my time? Well, I actually liked this kid. I mean, there are some new cats out that I dig. I'm not stuck in a time warp... Well, I guess I am.

I went to see Red & Meth this past Friday at the Marquee Theater in Tempe, AZ. The venue is bullshit but who cares? It's fuckin Red and Meth! Redman is one of my Top 5 of all time and I don't give a shit what you say about that. As for Meth, me and the homies always have the "who is the dopest out of the Wu" debate over coffee. Back in 1993, there was no question that it was Method. That dude had the illest voice to touch a mic and there was no stopping the Wu back then. Now? I'd say Ghost. Hands down. I have never liked one whole Method release. I was always disappointed. My boys keep telling me about T2 and I keep telling them it was disappointing. Redman, on the other hand, has released a bunch of shit I still bump. I have always loved his style, his humor, his goddamn Cribs episode... Tell me he isn't an original and a legend! I mean, he is one example of an offshoot from a legendary crew that in some ways, has surpassed his big homies! Uh oh. I know that's treacherous waters but we all know EPMD had their share of issues and skill-wise, they are not even close to Reggie Noble. Meth's acting kind of killed it for me too. Except for Cheese on The Wire, I'm still frowning on his film career. If I don't like it, I don't like it. It don't mean that I'm hatin'.



So, I peep the show, hyped as hell! Mad still about Red canceling his show there a few months back. Local legend Atllas was opening up and that's the homie so we had to go regardless. He tore it up. (Shout out to the Merks!)

When Red and Meth hit the stage, I was amped. I moved closer to the front to absorb the energy and there was plenty of it. What I quickly realized though is that we are getting older collectively. I mean, I was in college when "Enter the 36 Chambers" and "Whut? Thee Album" came out and they were older than me then! These dudes are pushing 40 right now... That's a crazy thought. The wear of touring was evident and I didn't feel like I felt even when I watched that Backstage dvd. Man, those guys were THE guys to see live. I never had the chance until now and damn if I don't feel like it was too late.



While they still killed the lyrics and the songs and tore through all kinds of classic material, they lost me with bringing out the homies to perform and something just didn't feel right. The stage diving was there. The comedy was there. I can't put my finger on it... And it kills me. There was just something that didn't feel right. I guess it almost felt like a forced production; like these guys don't do this for the love anymore. Like the economy has affected even my hip hop heroes' lives and since nobody is making money in cds anymore, the stage is where it's at. I don't know...

All in all, I will still buy Redman shits. I'll even cop the Gilla House mixtapes. I got a copy of the last Wu album and after the last two Meth joints, I definitely won't buy anymore of his solos. As for the Blackout 2 cd and How High 2 movie coming out next year, I'm still on the fence. I'm a Redman fan regardless so I'll probably break myself, but in 2009, something is gonna have to change. Our music can't go the way of jazz, where the old heads hate the new Kenny G. soft bitches. The new heads have skill. There just has to be balance in the force, I suppose.

Ah well... I'm off to bump my Redman playlist in iTunes: Funk Doc. I got the Cribs episode on my iPhone... I love that shit!

Peace,
FLO

If You Miss 'Pac Like I Miss 'Pac...

I was just thinking about how different music was back in 95-96. I heard a song by Pac today and started thinking back to where I was when it came out... It's funny because you never can go back and it's never the same as it was. While I miss Pac's music, I know that it made me appreciate music in general in a different way. Hip hop is turning into jazz in a way, where the purists and fans of Coltrane don't really fuck with New Age and David Sanborn and shit. That's us and our music. Well, it's ALL OUR music but you know what I mean.

I came across this video while searching for an old CPO track called "Ballad of a Menace" which REALLY took me back to when NWA ran shit. This Outlawz clip is funny and sad at the same time because we've lost two good brothas from that group that we won't get back and to think it's been 12 years since 2Pac died... That just makes me feel old. It also makes me wonder what we'll feel like when more of our people pass. I sit and watch all these older people die from my grandmother's generation and wonder what it will be like for us when rappers start dying of old age and shit! I mean, we all know that Snoop will look like his Uncle when he's old and we'll all be bawlin when he dies from natural causes at 94.

Enjoy the Outlawz video and go check out their new joint called "Born Outlawz." It's dope.

Also, to the people that are writing comments anonymously but talking shit, man up. You visited MY site. Thanks for that. I love the attention.

Peace to Pac. It ain't the same without you. Like there will never be another Marvin Gaye...

ONE.

What Happened To My Hero?

LL has a new cd out... I'm crying inside. I'm an older dude. When LL came out with Radio, I was in the 6th grade. You can do the math and the science on that one. Back then, nobody and I really mean NOBODY was fuckin' with L. I felt that way all through middle school. To this day, if you ask me my Top 5 Dead or Alive, after I tell you that question is stupid, I'll list LL and Rakim regardless of who I have on my iPhone at the time. Fact of the matter is, LL is dope and there would be no Jay or Wayne or none of those dudes without him. He is part of the reason rappers stopped dressing like Melle Mel. Shit, we could all be lookin' like P-Funk still if it weren't for Uncle L.

But why????? Why another album man? I mean, if you are contractually obligated, I get that. Is this some political shit going on? Why can't he just say he HAD to make it or he wouldn't get his masters or something? God won't allow me to say it's garbage because that's a sacrilegious act, but GOD HELP ME if it's not at least recyclable!! I haven't bought an L project since G.O.A.T. and even that was suspect... I mean, when I say Canibus got at him and I don't even like Canibus, that tells you something. 

Everytime I look for this LL...

I get this LL... Well, shit maybe the ladies still love him? More power to him! But what about the ol' heads?? What about me, Unc?

I was just having a conversation with my wife tonight about him. I mean, he can act! He's better than 50 any day and I believe him. Xzibit knows where the money is and X to the Z still got that fire in him. Get that movie money, L!! Please! Now I'm hearing Latifah is coming back... Kill me now! 

Why can't they bow out gracefully??? I don't get it. Didn't ANYONE watch Jordan's return to the game? Didn't anyone learn from that? What about Jay-Z? Here's someone from the early 90's who went out on top and came back and now everyone thinks Kingdom Come sucked. I liked that shit, minus the Beach Chair and Usher shit. Oh and that Katrina joint was a little corny too but... I liked it BETTER than American Gangster. That's just me. But LL... James Todd... Uncle L... I believe in you! Don't tell me Santa Claus doesn't exist man! Don't do this shit to us. I can't explain to my daughter that you had contractual obligations and that's why Daddy lost faith in the greatest emcee (second to Ra) ever. 

I'm beyond shaking my head... I'm just hanging it. Confused.

Sincerely, 

Your nephew,

Montana...

(Why, man?? WHY????) 

F*** Akon!

That always gets some attention. I'm a hater. Say hi to me Maino. You too, Swizzy. I mean, I must be, right? I must be a hater because I don't like Akon. I must just have no appreciation for his music. Well, that's because his music represents everything wrong with commercial, terrestrial radio: one song bleeds into the next and sounds exactly the same. Plus, this dude stays in trouble. Not like 2Pac, interesting trouble but more like Olsen Twin-trouble. 

Let me see... Lied about his criminal past, threw a teenage white kid off stage, dry humped an underage girl on stage and most recently dropped bows on another girl who was just trying to touch his midget body. I mean, we all thought Lauren was the most screwed up one from the Refugee camp... Nah, nah. The Konvict got em all beat. 

Now, I can really just shake my head and turn the other cheek with all of the above things but add those to the horrible Michael Jackson project, "Smack That" and the fact that everyone knows T-Pain is more talented (which is just scary to write, let alone think at all) and you get an abomination of music and celebrity. Shit, even Gwen Stefani is pissed at Aliaune. 

This is my blog so I can say what I want. I don't care what you think. Dude gets the gas face from me. I'll take Nate Dogg's worst hook any day over an Akon track, even if the God Rakim was on it. 

TJ Swann begat Nate Dogg who begat Akon... Except Nate Dogg is DOPE! Shit, I didn't forget about Kokane...

Word...

I Glowed In The Dark... Did You??

Thanks to my lil sis in law, I peeped Yeezee last night in Glendale, AZ. It was his born day as well, as he pointed out. So, if you're like me, you're wondering why Diddy fell over himself to tell us all how amazing this show is. I gotta first tell you that I'm so NOT the biggest Kanye fan. You can go back a few years to Brandy on the cover of Vibe magazine and read my thoughts on the dude back when he popped off. Now, I love his wit, his lyricism and his talent, but I'm not THAT dude with the bleacher-style shades on. Nah. I'm the dude noddin' my head that knows like one line every 4 or 5 bars. Rakim he isn't. But I dig dude. I will say that much.

After stumblin' in after a few Guinnesses at the Fox Sports Bar, me and my dude Bootleg caught Lupe Fiasco getting dumb in true b-boy tradition. It was a great feeling to see him up there, one hypeman and a DJ, rocking that shit ridiculous. No frills, not bullshit filler. Just Lupe spittin it and killin shit.

My favorite part of the night was N.E.R.D. though. Hol' up... I'm not even close to a fan of these cats Pharrell and them. But on stage??? Shit, I'm buying all their joints. (Not gonna lie... I own a couple singles: She Wants To Move & Run To The Sun) They TORE IT DOWN! I loved it. The drummers were on fire and made me think about Fishbone and Parliament all at once... fuckin' Living Colour and shit... I'm a new fan! 50 nameless women shakin' the change on stage didn't hurt either... Pharrell did crack me up with his warning to the kids up front. What part of their show was PG? I missed that part... Oh and the "7 Nation Army" joint was bonkers!!!

Rihanna went next. Next. Not a fan. She got a neck I could keep all my dad's ties on. She's cute and all but... NEXT! Although, not to completely shit on her, she did flip Lauren's "Doo Wop" a little something and she sounded incredible on stage. She's the real deal. I'm just not into her. Take that ella shit elsewhere.

So, I'm not gonna ruin it for those of you who still have tickets to see Ye. Know that it was worth the money... But I got in free. If I were more of a Kanye fan, I would have been beside myself. Good show. Now, when I say show, know that it really is a SHOW. This wasn't him up there just rocking the mic. This was like watching a movie. But at times, even he seemed like the movie was dragging along. I didn't get to hear "Big Brother" but outside of that, he kicked all my favorites even "Get Em High."

Being that I lost my own mom this year from Cancer, I had to keep it together when he went into "Hey Mama." I looked at the floor a lot. But he kept it together. I got goose bumps. Hit home.

Damn, I don't want to spoil it so I'll refrain. If you want to know more details, hit me up personally on Myspace. I won't put it out there like that. At $80 a ticket, you don't need me, some cat you don't know, to mess that up for ya.

Kanye, I'd pay to see you live. Just keep the energy up man. It's in you, dog. All day. Good shit. I can't say I've seen a better show before... That's the ultimate compliment!

Shout out to Sha Money XL who was in the building and Man Up Squad was reppin' nicely as well... Maaaaan Uuuuuup!

ONE,

FLO

NaS... My Hero...

I remember a while back when I was living in the Bay, me and my dude Pierre went to Eastridge Mall in San Jose and he was smoking a square outside of Macy's. There were like 4 or 5 younger Filipino cats just on some hyped up, Wu Tang shit like "Nah, nigga, nah. I told that nigga, yo. Nigga please..." I got up off the bench I was relaxin' on and started my way for dolo toward them and P, being the peace keeper he is, intervened. As you can tell from my photo, I'm a mulatto cat. Shit, I look Puerto Rican even to Puerto Ricans. But I love myself. I have no bigger issue than the misuse of that word. That's some shit I'd fight over... There aren't many things but that's one.

Here's NaS' new shit. NaS is my favorite emcee... Today. Tomorrow it could be Ras Kass again (FREE RAS KASS... AGAIN!) or it could be my dude Preach repping AZ. Who knows? Today, Nasir Jones.

Check it out...

FLO

"Be A Nigger Too"
(or don't)