If there is a truly unique, instant classic song, it is “Constance” by Mr. J. Medeiros. He beautifully narrates the story of a 13 year old girl in the Philippines who is exploited for pornography. Her father brings her to a motel, where she is sold for her sexual services and filmed for the American man’s website. Medeiros is able to clearly depict thought provoking details that are not only moving, but are also chilling. Each word is carefully thought out and placed perfectly.

The music video is a must see. The scenes that are shown are neither overdone nor too inappropriate. It carries you through the story while still leaving room for the imagination. If you are looking for a completely new style of a song with a fresh topic, tune in to “Constance.”

Constance - Mr. J Medeiros

Jimmy

This is how we chill from 93′ till, i’ve been chillin since before thaaatt and still am. This song is one of the reasons why I have so much early 90’s rap. I’m a sucker for chill beats. Hopefully this song will encourage you as it did me, to do some homework and find a bunch of older rap songs. 

From 93′ Till

Blue Scholars make music for the understated, the low class, the blue collar worker, meaning, the poor or the struggling. Blue Scholars are relevant to today, much in the same way Bon Jovi was relevant to middle America in the 80’s. From the other side of Jovi’s “American blue collar experience” comes Geologic’s (lyricist) and Sabzi’s (DJ) “American Blue Scholar’s experience.”

Sold for spare change while the broke hold on
Why they call themselves right, but then act so wrong
Dollar sign challenge why the unemployment line long
No call for the blue collar gettin’ low ball
It’s a long climb just to get to petty bourgeois

Don’t expect happy party music from Blue Scholars, expect a conscious realest rapping over soulful samples. Geologic, whose cadence could serve as a second drum, delivers lyrics on societal struggles and monetary impediments creating subtle allegories for today’s problems. With the recession going on, and people being laid off left and right, I find this song suitable. Simply stated, If Bon Jovi’s music was about working for the weekend, then Blue Scholar’s is about creating a better everyday.

Blue Scholars - Loyalty

Bonus: Blue Scholars - The Distance

J Dilla aka Jay Dee is often regarded as “”your favorite producer’s favorite producer.” Jay Dee came to prominence with his ability to make novel tracks with quality samples. That’s what sampling rap producers do, but not with his ability to manipulate songs into his own soulful sound. Which is funny that most of his music was around for the 00’s, a time when hip hop had lost it’s heritage and afrocentric qualities after becoming a hedonistic, and highly materialistic backwash. Dilla’s music remained his and no rap mogul, manager or A&R could convince him to change it for a more “popular sound.”

His CD’s were great, like one of my all-time favorite albums, Donuts. His beats require no vocals, as every track could be understood through squealing violins, an occasional repeating gargle of words, and soulful guitar and bass. Listening to them is like reading haikus, we all read the same words, but the meaning is different from person to person. enjoi.

J Dilla - Won’t Do

J Dilla - Last Donut of the Night

It’s hot out. Summer is like that aunt you like having over for a week, any more time than that and she becomes annoying. If you do not live near any large body of water, or if you do not have a working air conditioner, i feel for you. Summer days are bad, but you know cool summer nights are much better.

Summer with Miami is just that, a cool, summer-night drive down South Beach. The song is a slow, inebriated ride past swirling, neon-lit Art deco hotels. Even if you haven’t been to Miami, this song was made for the summer night so you can still relate. enjoi DIPSET! AY!!

Jim Jones - Summer With Miami

How should Nujabes be classified? Hip Hop? Jazz? soul? It is difficult to place the Japanese producer Jun Sebas (せば) in any singular category. His diffucult-to-categorize music is excellent, always remaining interesting and never resting on repetitiveness. It is like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon combining the ruthless kicks and punches found in hip hop with that smooth weightless tree limb hopping cool jazz creates.

It is difficult to just pick one song from his many. So I give you two, not only as an introduction to the Jazz Category, but also so you can understand how magnificent sampled music can be, just as another view to David Axelrod’s.

Oh and screw categorization. Enjoi

Nujabes ft. Pase Rock - Sign

Bonus: Feather (Feat. Cise Starr & Akin From Cyne) - Feather

Life is not always a bed of roses under a cloudless sky. In fact, life is usually a bitch. No matter whom you are, how much money you have, how fantastic your sex life is, the grass is always greener. We all feel our highs, but for the most part, life is a bitch. So how do you deal with her when she has an attitude? Tune in to “All About U” by Classified, featuring Chad Hatcher on the chorus.

“Realized that life’s a bitch, and shit you gotta be able to stand it.
And you gotta be able to handle it, the stress and the pressure you channel it.
And you learn to cope at the end of your rope, anyway that you can with liquor or dope.
Or work hard raise your kids, strip clubs what ever it is.
Smoke weed, shoot hoops. What ever you find your happiness through.”

The entire song is full of powerful messages. What you get out of it will be different from the next listener. The combination of Chad Hatcher and his guitar with Classified and his style of lyrics make it a beautiful listen and a source of inspiration.

Jim

Life is but a series of addictions. We all need our highs, in order to make up for our lows. Drugs, alcohol, abuse, food, sex, love, control, conformity, nonconformity, feelings of victimization, feelings of empowerment, pride, anything can be made an addiction. Our mentalities are the cause of our addictions. Our need to feel comfortable (free from fear or stress). These needs plague everyone, we just don’t know it until we find ourselves in the same rat-hole crying, kicking, yelling, hurting, over and over and over again.

Mos Def knows, just listen closely, this incredible song speaks for itself.

This is life; our lives are the consequence of the choices we, and everyone around us make. Knowing how much our choices impact others (our family, friends, strangers, communities, even children in Africa) would we still honor our addictions and make the same decisions again and again? Even knowing you’re hurting people who care about you? Make what you feel is the right decision.

“Did he hope, that we would realize
that we the first, son of earth
the moon and stars, the great beyond
we black and proud, we brave and strong
we raise it up, we quiet storm, forever fresh
and keep it on”

Modern Marvel - Mos Def

Frank