One of my favorite tracks of 2011 and possibily the best Phonte track to date. —Philaflava

For the past week we’ve seen a bunch of people tackle this album. Writers these days take themselves way too seriously. That or they have these agendas in writing these reviews just to grab a few hits and if they’re lucky maybe a couple of RTs. I’m not a writer. I’m a simple man, I like my beans and rice. We live in a world that is quite simple if you ask me. It’s black, it’s white. It’s good, it’s bad. It’s hot, it’s cold. It’s yes or no. These definitive answers shape who we are.

There is no need to string together a wordy review that only serves as self-indulgent drivel just to deliver one adjective in describing Undun.

We’ve been spoiled for practically two decades now with progression, not regression from The Roots crew. We want Malik B. We miss Len Hub. We want more N.T. collabos. We want more Black Thought verses. We want lengthier tracks and albums; [insert Elaine] yada yada yada.

This album is best listened to front to back and then back to front. It’s not an album, it’s a soundtrack of life. It doesn’t matter if you’re connected to Redford Stephens or not. It’s bigger than him. It wouldn’t matter if was Tony Wycek. It’s almost as if the album is bigger than the music itself.

This is something that could possibly be turned into an off-Broadway musical. For the past few albums I’ve never given The Roots a fair shot off the first listen and trust me, I’ve sipped the juice plenty of times. They set the bar pretty high on Game Theory, the album, many will agree, where Black Thought separated himself from a great lyricist to top 25 of all-time.

But The Roots have always been about taking chances. Thirteen fucking albums now. How many hip-hop groups can you say have had the longevity that The Roots have had? Not Wu, Tribe, De La, Public Enemy, Outkast, Freestyle Fellowship, Geto Boys, Ultramag, Mobb Deep or Gang Starr. None of them ever had the longevity and consistency that of The Roots. That’s not me saying The Roots are the best ever, that’s me daring you to come up with one group in hip-hop who has even remotely put together thirteen quality albums time and time again.

For me to point out the great cuts on here is foolish. You aren’t supposed to pick and choose. You wouldn’t skip to the Winston Wolf scene in Pulp Fiction when watching–would you?

So, do yourself a favor, listen to the album the way it’s supposed to be heard–in its entirety. You’d be doing yourself a huge disservice by skipping around. And while I’m not claiming this is their best work, it is their most fascinating work to date. I know so many of you will be quick to say, “but there are only 9 real tracks,” but if you listen to the entire album, its 14 chapters. By the way, Illmatic only had 9 “real” tracks too.

So get past yourself and the way you want their albums to sound these days. I promise you it may not hit you right away, but with each listen the album will continue to impress and leave you wanting more.

These boys hit their stride awhile back, now they’re just playing with house money and parlaying it into more wins.

And that one adjective you’re waiting for; great. The album is fucking great?!!!??! –Philaflava

Crazy Cat Catalogue affiliate Dj Rerok lets loose of a new school version of the hiphop classic Marley Marl’s “The Symphony” and gives us “The Pimphony” featuring on the rise artists Curt@!n$, Nickelus F, Maffew Ragazino and the pimpster himself Wais P.

DJ Rerok -The Pimphony ft. Wais P, Curt@!n$, Nickelus F & Maffew Ragazino
(Produced by Dj Rerok & Sketchman)

Andre Nickatina has been non-stop bouncing this month, jumping from coast to coast on his Money Shark 2011 Tour, which continues all the way to New Years Eve in Seattle. Despite his busy schedule, he’s taking the time today to release the mp3 for his latest single, “Still Gon Ball,” giving fans a chance to finally get their hands on the song after catching the video premiere last month on VEVO. For “Still Gon Ball,” Andre lets fellow Fillmore compatriot Messy Marv jump on the first part of each verse, while ever-smooth crooner J. Valentine, also of the Bay Area, caresses the hook. The heavily electronic production is an unexpected choice for the emcee, but with lyrics like, “My style is candy painted/ My suit is tailor-maded/ My pinky ring would get a brick if I ever trade it,” it’s not hard to see why the song is quickly becoming a fan favorite for Nickatina fans.

Download

In case you missed it, here are the upcoming dates for Andre Nickatina’s Money Shark 2011 Tour:

Money Shark 2011 Tour:
10/13 Scottsdale, Az – Venue Of Scottsdale
10/14 Tucson, Az – Rialto Theater
10/15 Albuquerque, Nm – Sunshine Theater
10/19 Billings, Mt – Manny’s Sports And Entertainment
10/20 Rapid City, Nd – Dublin Square
10/21 Fargo, Nd – The Venue
10/22 Omaha, Nb – Sokol Auditorium
11/3 Boulder, C0 – The Fox Theater
11/3 Boulder, C0 – The Fox Theater
11/6 Tulsa, Ok – The Marquee
12/3 Santa Clara, Ca – The Avalon
12/10 San Francisco, Ca – The Regency Ballroom
12/31 Seattle, Wa – Studio 7

Let’s be specific (peace Funkmaster Flex), the other day I dropped my 10 most underrated rappers of 2011, so it only made sense to drop my best rapper too. This isn’t an all-time list, it’s current and I could only award this to a rapper who is, well current. Andre 3000, you might be on another level and universally accepted as the greatest rapper living and who am I to disagree? You are, but these once every few years cameos on these bullshit R&B tracks ain’t cutting it.

It ain’t Jay, shame on you for even thinking that. It isn’t his apprentice Mr. Electronica, who by the way he should be dropping his once-a-year track in December to continue giving your iTunes blue balls. His lack of new material and a Saigon(ish) career pattern is not helping matters. I can you assure you it’s nobody who would rock a smedium t-shirt. Nobody that you would consider a hipster or vegan. It isn’t a new radical skater. It isn’t lazy self-absorbed artists who continues to produce lo-fi albums for your listening displeasure.

Who does it leave then? Nas, maybe, but we all know he lost a step or two over the years. Could it be Jada? Sure, Jadakiss is like the New York Jets, he looks great on paper but when it comes down to business he can’t close and I’m still waiting on that great album from him. So the argument could come down to Pusha and the man who I awarded it to. Pusha is just getting better with age, but when you see who is #1 it’s hard to dispute facts.

Maybe 2012 will be different but there isn’t a rapper IMO who has deliverer quality time and time again than this man. I hate the word swag, so I will just say this man’s style is just too damn cool. It sounds effortless like the way DOOM spits, but it’s extremely layered with witty lyricism and tons of rewind material   If the Dos Equis guy was a rapper he’d be this one. –Philaflava

Click to see who is the best rapper of 2011.

Some bonus mp3s courtesy of the great people of Philaflava.

Download Zip File 1

Will Vill – Not a Game ft. Roc Marciano
Wu-Tang Clan – The Black Diamonds (Ghostface, Roc Marciano & Killa Sin)
Random Axe – Chewbacca ft. Roc Marciano
Meyhem Lauren – Crossroads ft. Roc Marciano
Ray West – Move Back ft. Roc Marciano & A.G.
Roc Marciano – Scarface (3:33 Remix)
Sick Team – Lyrical Assassins ft. Roc Marciano
Beneficence – Monetary Policy ft. Roc Marciano
The Planets – Sound Clash ft. Roc Marciano
Arch Druids – Scorched Earth Policy ft. Roc Marciano & Planet Asia
Sean Price – How the Gods Chill (Remix) ft. Roc Marciano & Meyhem Lauren
A.G. – Marcberri

Download Zip File 2

Sketch – Chain Smoking Remix Feat. Roc Marciano and Reef
Roc Marciano – The Prophecy Oxidation Remix
Roc Marciano- Snow Remix Feat. Sean P
Roc Marciano- Slugs Thru Ya Papaya Feat. Killah Priest
Roc Marciano – Scarface
Roc Marciano- My Persona
Roc Marciano- MVG
Pollyn- Cold Sweat Feat. Roc Marciano
MMG – Helpless Dreamer Feat. Roc Marciano, XO and Tranquill
J- Love- Tricks of the Street Feat. G Rap, Cormega and Roc Marciano
Blaq Poet- Bushmaster Remix Feat. Roc Marciano and Wais P

We’re still a few months away from the year closing out, but we all know the 4th Q is usually for big names, big labels and even bigger releases. This list is about 10 rappers who have been grindin’ for years. True lyricists who each put in work year in year out and still seem to lack the appreciation they rightfully deserve.  This isn’t an all-time list, it’s just a group of 10 rappers I feel are currently underrated, unappreciated and warrant the recognition.

Hip-Hop has  been good to us these past years. With the emergence of Big K.R.I.T., Danny Brown, Freddie Gibbs, French Montana, Action Bronson, Tyler The Creator, Fashawn, Pill, Mr. Muthafuckin’ Exquire, Blu, Elzhi, G-Side, ASAP Rocky, Curren$y & Roc Marciano just to name a few, we’ve had to double up on our hard drive space.

There are always going to be rappers with strong co-signs, better geographical residency or those who lean on friends and favors for that mass appeal. I wanted to put together a list of 10 active emcees that all deserve your attention and in my opinion are truly underrated.

So without further ado, here are my 10 Most Underrated Emcees of 2011.

10. Turf Talk

Point blank, one of the sickest rappers to come from the Leftcoast since Ras Kass. Download the new mixtape Return of The Jedi here.

9.  Phonte

Some people have dismissed Little Brother, but in doing so they dismissed Phonte. Bad move holmes. Phonte continues to find his zone as he is entering his prime. He recently released Charity Starts At Home and the stellar “The Good Fight“ is just a taste of what you’re missing.

8. Tragedy Khadafi

The man didn’t get the props as Intelligent Hoodlum and in 2011 he still doesn’t command the respect as Tragedy Khadafi. This is the man who gave us Grand Groove , made The War Report classic. If you ask me he is just as responsible for putting QB on the map as MC Shan or Nas. Tragedy hasn’t lost a step and before its over people will realize just how great a lyricist he really is.

7. Open Mike Eagle

I could write a bunch of shit to sell you on why Mike is so underrated or I can just post these two videos.

Nightmares

6. Meyhem Lauren

While his partner (Action Bronson) has been making plenty of noise of his own, this Queens native has been winning over the internet one blog post at a time.

Animal Science (Crossroads) feat. Roc Marciano

5. Shad

Had Shad lived in the Tri-State he’d have a much larger presence. Unfortunately he isn’t down with Lil Wayne, so this Canadian rapper by way of Kenya will have to continue making dope tracks to win the U.S. over, one state at a time.

Yaa I Get It (Oddisee Remix)

4. Sean Price

We’ve been waiting on Mic Tyson to drop for years now. It was suppose to drop before the real Tyson even became an actor. By the time this album sees the light Iron Mike will probably be on Inside The Actors Studio discussing his accomplished film career. There aren’t many emcees as honest and entertaining as P, but I think I speak for everyone–DROP THE ALBUM already!

Figure Four

3. K-Rino

There may not be a rapper as hard working, consistent and equally as talented as K-Rino. He is truly hip-hop’s best kept secret and has been for years.

2. Slug (of Atmosphere)

Slug is no stranger to the game and while he’s been doing this for almost a few decades now, he’s finally breaking into new territory. Whether it’s a KRS-One & Buckshot collabo, a  Bun B shout-out or Joe Budden personally courting for him to get on his new album, Slug is reminding people why he is one of the best story tellers in the game.

Atmosphere – Beware

1. Black Thought

As far as I’m concerned, until the day he retires Black Thought will always be #1 on this list. He hasn’t spit a weak verse in forever. He continues to get better with age and he pretty much eats up every guest spot ever given to him. Black Thought is the epitome of a rapper’s rapper. He is without a doubt the most underrated emcee of this year, last year and forever.

Men @ Work (Live)

“If you ain’t caught the kid live then you losing out.”

Having seen Ev do his thing last week at the Fillmore in Miami I can’t say he’s fronting at all. Cats & Dogs drops on Sept 27th on Rhymesayers. Here is a track with everybody’s favorite new new (not really new) rapper and everybody’s favorite interviewee. Peace to Ev. –Philaflava

Download

New mixtape from the man who laced us with the classic West Coast Vaccine: The Cure. Peace to @RealTurfTalk for bringing this to our attention. I know Blast is going to love this! –Philaflava

1. Check Ya Self Intro
2. Check Yo Self Ft Spider Loc
3. NWA
4. Think Im
5. Smoke Break Interlude
6. Roll One Ft Clyde Carson
7. Street King Interlude
8. Street King Ft A Wax
9. Hustle Hard Interlude
10. Hustle Hard
11. Bitches The Interlude
12. Bitches Aint Shit Ft Symba
13. Money Interlude
14. Money Ft Beeda Weeda & Ya Boy
15. Choppa Interlude
16. Choppa Down Ft Mr FYB & Eddi Projex
17. Smoke Break 2
18 Smoke Ft Cousin Fik & Tajma
19. Spend Something
20. Go Shopping
21. Bay Boy Ft Mistah FAB

Download

Big fan of this track and now it has a video to go with it. Shouts to Living Legend Lucky and the other guys who go by Aceyalone and Sluggo. Everybody does their thing on this joint! –Philaflava