Woo Ha!

Song #319: Busta Rhymes - Woo Ha

Fire It Up Friday

Song #279: Busta Rhymes - Fire It Up

Biggie Flava

Last Tuesday, 92YTribeca's groundbreaking Rap-Lecture Series, Noisemakers featured none other than Puff Daddy, or Diddy as he's called these days. I went a little skeptical of Puffy's rap skills but within a moment I realized I was in the presence of one of the great entrepreneurs of my time. His drive and creativity turned Hip Hop into the empire it is today.


Song #217: Craig Mack, Biggie, Rampage, LL Cool J & Busta Rhymes - Flava In Ya Ear Remix

Ok... Now Turn it Up

After a few days of some nice quiet time (which is what I really should have called the past two posts) let's turn it up a bit, shall we?

Song #154: Busta Rhymes - Turn It Up

The Story of Busta Claus

This is the story of Christmas Eve 2005...

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all thru the streets,
a Rolls Royce Phantom was blasting dope beats.
When all of a sudden, the passenger barked,
“Pull over a minute and put it in park.”
So the door opened up and guess who got out,
it was Busta Rhymes yo, and he was shinin’ no doubt.
Now just ‘round the corner were me and my blokes,
telling our stories and laughing at jokes,
when I spotted this car, it was one of a kind.
The rims were so iced out, I almost went blind.
But despite of the glare I remembered the voice,
“You know who that is?” I began to rejoice
“OH MY GOD YES! OH MY GOD,
that’s Busta Rhymes son, from the Flipmode Squad!"
We all crossed the street, calm, cool and collected,
so when we approached we would be well respected.
But me and my friends just stood there in shock,
that Busta Rhymes would just come chill on our block.
He was with an old friend just chatting it up.
Drinking some Purple Drank out of a cup.
So I made up a plan to pretend that I knew him,
I started my Pimp walk and I went over to him.
But before I could reach him, this bodyguard guy,
who was 300 pounds and seven feet high,
stepped in and said, “Hey man, Busta is busy,
but I’ll relay the message. What up? My name’s Izzy.”
So I said “Yo man, I just got back from Jamaica,
And it’s nuts to see Busta at the corner Bodega,
But they love him down there and he’s got mad supporters
Despite that his ancestry's only a quarter.
Basically that’s it, and I’m a really huge fan.”
So this guy said “Aight” and he put out his hand.
So I shook it and said “Bro thanks for your time.”
And he said “No problem, the pleasure was mine.”
Now this should be the end of the Busta Claus story,
but sadly not everything ends honky dory.
Less than six weeks later at a video shoot,
something went down a more sinister route.
Outside of the venue developed a crowd,
until security said there were no more allowed.
Then some people got mad and a fight soon began,
and some guns started shooting and everyone ran.
Before too long the whole place was up in some shit,
Busta Rhymes got out safe, but Izzy was hit.
Within a few minutes my buddy was dead,
And I read all about it on the World Wide Web.
Israel Ramirez, 29 years old.
I met him before but his blood now runs cold.
Black belt in karate and father of three,
And he only lived a few blocks away from me.
If we can just take a break to honor in silence,
Izzy Ramirez, killed by senseless violence.
Less than two months before he showed me some love,
and now he is up in the heavens above.
Now you can return from your sorrowful pause,
And that is the story of Old’ Busta Claus.

Copyright Matt Katz 2010

Israel Ramirez

If you are looking for more information of the shooting, click here, if you want to see Busta slay a kid at his old High School... click here.

Could it be just 2 more days until 100? You definitely don't want to miss Mañana....

Song #98: Busta Rhymes - Extinction Level Event (Song of Salvation)

SNOW DAY

The Northeast has been completely covered in snow, and just like almost everything around here, I am sorry to announce that Biggie Sunday has been snowed out. It is just to much of a winter winterland out there to ignore it in today's song choice. Last night there were over 6 standing inches of snow almost everywhere in the city. This is what we were dealing with.

I was looking through the archives for a good song that expresses the feeling of snow, because I have always felt that Music is supremely environmental. I believe this is true in a broad sense, with factors such as Homeland and Culture, and on a slightly smaller level, like one's situation within the above categories or even the particular home, but even on a more meta level, as with the specific climate of the day (see my previous post, How do you deal with the Rain?). For some, snow is a debilitating obstacle, but for me, snow is always rich with the feeling of childhood and wonder. Sometimes its hard to find music that has those qualities since most recorded music is built around more adult themes, (such as life, love, loss). However in perusing my more modern selections I came across a song that directly expresses my feelings.

Song #18: Animal Collective - Winter's Love


UPDATE: Ok, I couldn't leave you guys without a Biggie Sunday Song. Here is the coldest, iciest, most frosted rap collab between two of my favorite New York rappers ever. Warning though, super explicit, just like Ol' Dirty Bastard's entire life. If you have any favorite snow songs, or even if you just like the blog use the comments section to LET ME KNOOOOOOOOOOOOWWW.

BONUS SONG: Busta Rhymes featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard - Where's Your Money