New Blog Address

Yo,

This blog is now housed at http://www.straightgangsterism.com.

Summertime...

So I am spending another summer in Bloomington and I don't know how I feel about it. Last summer here was hell because of the personal shit [breakup] that the typical "person in their early twenties" deals with. I am now past all of that and am attempting to embrace this break that I had been asking for since last September. Its still early, but I need to find something to do with myself before summer ends and another wack-ass fall semester begins. I have yet to find something, but in the mean time I've been listening to a ton of GREAT music...

Atmosphere When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint that Shit Gold.

-So I am a fan of emo-hop and Atmosphere is the king of it. This album is especially dope when I'm walking around Bryan Park at night with nothing to do and no where to go. Slug is in his prime as he spits ish that we all often feel, but can rarely verbalize. Check the brilliant track "Yesterday."

Count Bass D Dwight Spitz and Act Your Waist Size

-Count Bass D is an extremely talented producer, a talented rapper, and he makes amazing music. Besides this, I don't know shit about him. I don't know how to describe his music so you should just listen to it. Check the song "Sanctuary" from Dwight Spitz. It samples The Doors "The Soft Parade," which makes me very happy.

Marvin Gaye Here, My Dear

-If you don't know the story, a broke Marvin Gaye recorded this album as part of his divorce settlement. His ex-wife, Anna Gordy, received all the profits from this, at the time, critically and commercially unsuccessful release. This is probably his most personal album as it basically chronicles the downfall of his marriage. It also offers insight into the troubles that plagued him throughout his life. The music is extremely somber, at times depressing, but super dope.

S.L.A.B. (Slow Loud and Bangin) Seven Years and Runnin'

-Can't forget about the gangsta ish I love! S.L.A.B. is the Southside/Southwest Houston collective featuring Trae, Z-Ro and a bunch of other dope artists. This is kind of their greatest hits as it compiles some of their best mixtape work. Check out "In the Hood." I'm impatiently waiting for Trae & Z-Ro (Assholes By Nature) It Is What It Is to drop sometime this summer.

Peace,

Langston

NEW K-RINO!!!

"Blast On Em"
"What You Gonna Do?"
"Wreck Time"

Cop the new K-Rino album, Triple Darkness Vol. 1. K-Rino has been holding Houston down for over 20 years. One of the best artists you probably never heard of. Get this album, his old albums, and anything else the South Park Coalition has touched.

Peace

Trae & Z-Ro

http://youtube.com/watch?v=IFCY1RIZ-WA (Trae "Swang")
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZhH5FL9ZrCI&feature=related (Z-Ro "Mo City Don" Live)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jRQ3cE-pRwU (Z-Ro f/Trae "I Found Me")
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ye9JGy4JAZ8 (Trae f/Z-Ro "No Help")
http://youtube.com/watch?v=leEbL_kdZnM (Z-Ro & Trae "Who's the Man")

Cousins Z-Ro and Trae currently represent at least 65% of my music consumption. Representing Houston's Southwest side, Z-Ro and Trae have been dropping heaters for about a decade. While this may sound corny, Trae and Z-Ro's music can be labled as Gangsta-soul as they deliver gangsta raps in rugged, but smooth style. Z-Ro & Trae put out real music that can appeal to anyway dealing with the problems of young adulthood (especially if you are Black). I can't say enough about their contributions to hip hop. Peep the links. Peace.

P.S. "Swang" is one of the greatest songs to ever come out of Houston.