Last night, i got to hear "Like Water for Chocolate", and my ears are still ringing from what i heard. From the opening intro, you instantly know that this isnt your ordinary hip hop record. This album is the most daring and best hip hop albums that i've heard in a looooong time. I can understand why the Source said it may be to adult for their audience, but that is even more a reason to give Common a cover, because this reperesents a change in hip hop and music for that part. I was literally knocked from my chair at least six or seven times when listening to it!! I dare anyone to label this album without taking anything away from the soul and depth of it. Pure bliss!! "Hot Shit" is the trunk- rattling funk featuring Jaydee (who does like 6 tracks and some co-production)! Common staying true to kicking some battle shit with Jay jumping in on the chorus. "Questions" is "What!?" taken to the next level with (is that Monie Love?!) and Mos Def doing adlibs! "Time Travellin'", "Funky For U" and the Esvee joint are all bannanas! Than u have the story-based joints "Payback" (another in the stolen moments saga) and the brilliant Mc Lyte joint (i forget the title). Anyone thinking she still souldnt bring it will be in for a surprise, ecspecially playing the role of a woman getting pimped. The interlude preceeding it is hilarious! The soulaquarians joint is ridiculous! But the masterpiece on the album is "Ghetto Heaven" with D'Angelo! The beat is on some beautifully-rich, multi-layered keys vibe!! This is THE one!! Oh lord, this IS heaven! i dont even want words to spoil this, u just have to hear it. Perfect! The only sore thumb, in my opinion, is the "sixth sense" beat, which just doesnt blend with the Jaydee/SoulAquarian vibe... but i'm not complaining. Even though i think Resurection is a classic, i think this surpasses it as Com's great musical achievement! It perfectly balances the b-boy soul of Recurection and the growth and maturity of "One Day". It just sounds like he's having so much fun with his music and comes across lovely on the album, the vibe is just beautiful! I'm so glad Okayplayer is doing what its doing (taking over the world!!! haahaaaahaaa!)<BR>becuase with the Roots, D"angelo, Common, and (to some extent) Esvee, they're laying down the groundwork for a musical- cleansing in hip hop and music in general for that matter. Like Com says "The revolution will not be televised, the revolution is here." So listen closely y'all, u don't want to miss it. One love...

<BR>MAN!! REDEMPTION!!! i'm not goin down without a fight. i know y'all gonna love this cause the same cats who did voodoo did this but to the next level. (even d admits this in the interveiw). thanks j.<P><P><P><P><P><BR>THE SOULQUARIANS<BR>chewy (quest).....jan<BR>luke (d)........feb <BR>lando (jaydee)......feb<BR>cp30 (james poyser).....jan<BR>r2d2 (jazzy jeff)......jan<BR>hans (chaos)........jan<BR>anakin (lil mike)......feb<P>honorary members:<BR>kelo- soulacorn.......jan<BR>common- soulcies......march<BR>erykah- soulcies......feb<BR>

Better than Voodoo? Better than Illmatic? Is Comm holding the best record since It Takes A Nation in his hands? Damn. This better not be pushed back.

nation was a revoultion in hip hop<P>this is just the best record in com's 8 year career.<P><P><P>THE SOULQUARIANS<BR>chewy (quest).....jan<BR>luke (d)........feb <BR>lando (jaydee)......feb<BR>cp30 (james poyser).....jan<BR>r2d2 (jazzy jeff)......jan<BR>hans (chaos)........jan<BR>anakin (lil mike)......feb<P>honorary members:<BR>kelo- soulacorn.......jan<BR>common- soulcies......march<BR>erykah- soulcies......feb<BR>

for telling me about it. now i know what the highlights are but gotta wait eons till i can hear it. oh well... guess i coulda skipped the post huh?<P>"im harder than me tryin to park a dodge" eminem

...the Source is gonna welcome this album with another 3 1/2 mics. <P>Oh, and I can understand Com not getting the cover in place of Pun. Or they could do the double-cover deal like Scarface/Biggie.<P>youngun.

>...the Source is gonna welcome this album <BR>>with another 3 1/2 mics. <BR>>Oh, and I can understand Com not <BR>>getting the cover in place of <BR>>Pun. Or they could do <BR>>the double-cover deal like Scarface/Biggie. <BR>Nas didn't get the cover when he got five mics, remember? And I'm just saying if this album is better than Illmatic...although fuck a cover or mic rating, if it's better than Illmatic, what else do I need?

unfortunate for "us" that 1/2 of mic for made men cost com getting @@@@1/2 at the source. the real reason that selwyn hinds, migeul burke, and tracy mcgregor (who gave "illadelph" @@@@1/2) left last week was because of source head david mays shady ways. he added a whole mic (@@@1/2 was original reveiw) and then passed giving editor and chief position to tracy after 7 years of slave work. the day after we finished the record i wanted to hand deliver it to her so that she heard it on some bumpin speakers and recognized what classic she had on her hands....but tearfully she explained why i heard the sign of packing in the backround. later she told me the shit was flawless. abd then carilto (new editor) added his "too mature" cents to the mix. so as of now the source absoulutley empty of the cats who was there since the beggining. now the end is here. plus that "crooning" remark has me wondering how hip hop site dot com will treat this record.<P><P><P><P>THE SOULQUARIANS<BR>chewy (quest).....jan<BR>luke (d)........feb <BR>lando (jaydee)......feb<BR>cp30 (james poyser).....jan<BR>r2d2 (jazzy jeff)......jan<BR>hans (chaos)........jan<BR>anakin (lil mike)......feb<P>honorary members:<BR>kelo- soulacorn.......jan<BR>common- soulcies......march<BR>erykah- soulcies......feb<BR>

THE SOULQUARIANS<BR>chewy (quest).....jan<BR>luke (d)........feb <BR>lando (jaydee)......feb<BR>cp30 (james poyser).....jan<BR>r2d2 (jazzy jeff)......jan<BR>hans (chaos)........jan<BR>anakin (lil mike)......feb<P>honorary members:<BR>kelo- soulacorn.......jan<BR>common- soulcies......march<BR>erykah- soulcies......feb<BR>

I haven't heard the record, but that's one sad-ass story. Y'all have my sympathy.

(okayplayer.com)i read that story 4 times in a row. and i get some of it but i don't get all of it. <P>(okayplayer.com)somebody please explain. how did made men cost cost a mic? and who did the editor add a whole mic to? made men? i'm gonna read it again. <P>and if any mofo (ok artist included) puts a whole laugh (okayplayer.com)post on there, dammit laugh,a dn laugh well but explain this ish to me please. <P><BR>preview my new video before it hits the stores<BR><a href="http://hometown.aol.com//layzboi/mywebpage.html" target="_blank">http://hometown.aol.com//layzboi/mywebpage.html<;/a><P>"LAY Z BOI: you do the smiley like this <img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/happy.gif"> <BR>and have you ever heard a track on okp? angie is always talking over it <BR> Jagoots: oh...lol...ok i get ya <BR> Jagoots: she got a sweet ass voice...she ought to do playboy <BR>LAY Z BOI: oh shit can i put that in my signature? "<P>rappers i crush, kill, and destroy like STRESS.<BR>- common (sense)<P>at times my going forward seems like retreat<BR>-common (sense)

>and who did the editor add <BR>>a whole mic to? made men? <BR>The editors didn't do anything. David Mays is the publisher, and he has an interest in Made Men (they used to be Almighty RSO), and he revised the group's orignal 3.5 mic rating to 4.5 behind the editor's backs. That's why (or part of why) the editors ?uest mentioned left. As for how this cost Com, I'm not sure, but I'm guessing since they've given so many 4.5 ratings, they may have some limit, and since Made men got 4.5 they couldn't give another to Common.<BR>

HipHopSite has a tradition of giving good reviews.<BR>Let us not forget that they blessed TFA with a classic five @ rating.<P>Look to them, not the source for reasonable reviews.<P>one<P>"I never brag how real i keep it/cuz it's the best secret"<BR>N. Jones<P>

I don't know quest hip hop site always gave pretty good reviews i'm sure you know they gave TFA the highest rating, and classic status. If comm's album is as good as u say it is it should get the same.peace kiOn<P><P><BR>who do u work for? whats your occupation?

Pizzo @ hiphopsite said he liked it even with the crooning, for whatever thats worth. They pretty much blast anything with R&B singers in it, and the reason is because of two many wack songs with a r&b guest, or the other way around. But I believe they'll change their tune when it comes to Com's album. They gave you 5 @'s remember? Shiiiiet... Their review was my basis for pickin up the album on Feb 23rd. (That and a certain b-side that went by the name adrenaline)<P>oneLOVE.<P>OkayBoricua known as... Mil<P><BR>"I effin LOVE this song!"-Nikki (Asialove)<BR>"Thats my thing.... haa haa... put that bitch in QUOTES!"-Nikki (Asialove)<BR>"Why did one straw break the camel's back? Here's the secret: The million other straws underneath it - it's all mathematics"-Mos Def<BR>"Say they want you successful, but that ain't the case. You livin large, your skin is dark, they flash a light in your face."-Mos Def<BR>"So I remain the main master of ceremonials, like Puerto Rico remains imprisoned by colonials"-Q-Unique (I think)<P>Rest In Peace Christopher Rios, aka Big Punisher.<P>"That's how the city be, everybody gettin they hustle on, Judge singin death penalty like it's his favorite fuckin song. Word is bond, takin my life you know they lovin it... God 'F' the government and it's fuckin capital punishment!"-Big Pun<P>"Get off your high horse, or die off like an extinction, Boricuas are like Mohicans, 'The Last of the Po'Ricans'"-Big Pun<BR>

Trust me, there are plenty more highlights: Femi Kuti interlude, some classic Jaydee beats for interludes, the joint with the scratched-in singing hook, but with my lack of short-term memory and the fact that we always seem to get way too faded at Jay's crib- i just plain forgot..<BR>Also heard about 3 beats Black Thought's got from Jaydee (about time!), Let's Ride (rmx), Funky for U (rmx) featuring Black Thought, an Amel joint featuring Jay-Z?! and the usual gems...

>Trust me, there are plenty more highlights: <BR>>Femi Kuti interlude, some classic Jaydee <BR>>beats for interludes, the joint with <BR>>the scratched-in singing hook, but with <BR>>my lack of short-term memory and <BR>>the fact that we always seem <BR>>to get way too faded at <BR>>Jay's crib- i just plain forgot.. <BR>>Also heard about 3 beats Black <BR>>Thought's got from Jaydee (about time!), <BR>>Let's Ride (rmx), Funky for U <BR>>(rmx) featuring Black Thought, an Amel <BR>>joint featuring Jay-Z?! and the usual <BR>>gems... <P><P>yo..........i live in ann arbor.....id love to hang with yall.....i speak on behalf of the other mi players....when i say.....WE WANNA BE DOWN...hahahah....<P>nice lil review there..........holla at me, when you get some time........<P>One Love<BR>RamXL<BR>(b-boy advocate)<P>"Each soul is potentially divine, the goal is to manifest this divinity within by controlling nature: external and internal. Do this either by work, or worship, or psychic control, or philosophy -- by one, or more, or all these -- and be free." Swami Vivekanada<P><BR>"I, personally, believe in an art as it exists in the context of the phrase "thou art God". In this phrase, art is the word that connects the individual (thou) to their higher self (God) or to that which is universal. Using such a standard, most emcees might become embarrassed." Saul Williams<P><P><P><P>

Is the Femi Kuti interlude the Roots Remix version? I heard that song at a party and it was crazy! <P>KEVAN<BR>stop the violins

No, the Roots remix is for "Blackman Know Yourself" off of Femi's new album, and yes, VERY BANGIN'! Femi also makes an apperance on Comm's album though which serves as a beautiful interlude and great message for the album...

this has to be off the meter! Damn, is Com about to become a household name?

If "Sixth Sense" (which is my jam right now) is the album's lowpoint, then eff. How good can this album possibly be?<P>The way y'all are talking... dag. My already high expectations are starting to rise. The only way this album could be hyped up any more is if somebody told me Com hooked up with Cash Money on a cut.<P>"You'z a real fine DJ, won't you scratch that wax up..."<BR>- Common<P>---------------------------<BR>"when science finally locates the center of the universe, some people will be surprised to learn they're not it."<BR>- unknown<P>"words - so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them."<BR>- nathaniel hawthorne<P>"whatever happens it was written, meaning God meant it..." <BR>- nasir jones

This cut with Com and Mos is definitely skipping material. With lines like: "Why do I need ID to get ID/IF I had ID I wouldn't need ID." oh baby!!!<P><BR>Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown BUT, it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and pimp-slap the motherfucker upside the head...

I am listening to "LWFC" now and everytime I play it I hear something new (the mark of a trully great album and musician). "Ghetto Heaven" feat. D'Angelo, "The Questions" feat. Mos Def. What?!?!? I don't even want to talk about it. Just know that Common should pull the same numbers D'Angelo did in his firat week. At least I hope he does. BTW, check out the upcoming Common feature in Billboard Magazine this week.<P>"To be black and conscious, is to be in a constant state of rage." -- James Baldwin<P>

I HAVE A WEBSITE.. I WORK AT MY COLLEGE RADIO.. Can I get a copy?? I can't wait anymore... please!?!? Somebody e-mail me and let me know how to hear this album..<P>joekostelnik@hotmail.com<BR>www.angelfire.com/ca2/mystic <--I will review the album (w/o putting up any audio).. EXTRA PROMOTION!! check my other reviews for reference.

THE SOULQUARIANS<BR>chewy (quest).....jan<BR>luke (d)........feb <BR>lando (jaydee)......feb<BR>cp30 (james poyser).....jan<BR>r2d2 (jazzy jeff)......jan<BR>hans (chaos)........jan<BR>anakin (lil mike)......feb<P>honorary members:<BR>kelo- soulacorn.......jan<BR>common- soulcies......march<BR>erykah- soulcies......feb<BR>

get them to send a copy to Ball State University radio...<P>here's the addresse even...<P>WCRD FM -- Ball State University<BR>ATTN: Beat Box Director (Bill Johnson)<BR>BC 132<BR>Muncie, IN 47306<P>eff MP3s....<P>besides.. my contacts at universal and mca are flakin out on me.... i'm still waiting on our Sixth Sense 12" singles<P><a href="http://www.thejawn.com/brainchild" target="_blank">http://www.thejawn.com/brainchild<;/a><BR><a href="http://www.thejawn.com" target="_blank">http://www.thejawn.com<;/a>

---<BR>"I hate when weird glowing invertabrates force me to respond to their posts! " - ICE<BR>---<BR>"With love on my side, still I rise" - Melky Sedeck<BR>---<BR>"If anyone has material possesions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?" - I John 3:17

You wanna solve all the problems with rappers now that used to be tight but now suck, (Nas) go back to the production. Illmatic had Tip, L.E.S., Primo, etc. Moving to trackmaster is not exactly the recipe for classic success, why not stick wit what blew you up? I'll never know. These early 90s production for nas, jigga, and big were the highlights of the decade. Peace and holla back.

Send Com's shit to COMMERCIAL RADIO!<P>to me...<P>Drack Muse<BR>WEMX 94.1 FM<BR>Baton Rouge, LA. 70815<P>Cause the need that shit out HERE the most!

I guess you can tell how excited I am to play this to the masses ....so here it is...<P>Drack Muse<BR>WEMX 94.1 FM<BR>650 Woodale Boulevard<BR>Baton Rouge, LA. 70806<P>"'Cause they need it out here the most!"

<a href="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/concert/494.html" target="_blank">http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/concert/494.html<;/a><P>Uno<BR>Improv!?<P>Support Okayplayer.com and <a href="http://www.Boondocks.net" target="_blank">http://www.Boondocks.net<;/a> (for all you lazy mofos lol)<P>"We younger Negro artists who create now intend to express our individual dark-skinned selves without fear or shame. If white people are pleased we are glad. If they are not, it doesn`t matter. We know we are beautiful. And ugly too. The tom-tom cries and the tom-tom laughs. If colored people are pleased we are glad. If they are not, their displeasure doesn`t matter either. We build our temples for tomorrow, strong as we know how, and we stand on top of the mountain, free within ourselves." --Langston Hughes

nuff said..<P>much love,<BR>Kyle

This is THE album, but i cant wait for RE, Black Thought, Planet ASIA (Quest hook up wit this cat), and the Black Star album<P>Sheldon Mar"Quez" Rankin<BR><a href="http://www.sheldon.bored.org" target="_blank">http://www.sheldon.bored.org<;/a><P>"oh lawd Quez is here, okayplayer will never be the same" ---- some wise man<P>"The truth is, my crew is, the smoothest spitters of saliva juices like The Roots is, More Organic than acoustics" ---- Talib Kweli<P>"No need to mic test, you can feel it in ya chest... yo BEYAAAAATCH, feel it in her breasts" - Common

What I think is called "Pimp's Ho's Hustlas" did not turn up on the album I got. It's the beat with the Steve Davis shit Gangstarr used for the planet, anybody know the deal. What also happened to "Ghetto Heaven"? The first version I had was way tighter. All the strings? and pianos are gone for the most part and now D'Angelo is singing the hook (maybe he was on the first also, it just sounded a lot different). The shit is dope nevertheless, the only gripe I have is not enough hard shit like the "Payback" or "Hot Shit"<BR>. Can't complain the album is putting the dopest rapper and producer (Jay Dee) together of the moment. I was also happy to see somebody actually let Slum rap on thier shit. It seems like a lot of groups want a Jay Dee beat, but don't want him to bring the group (kind of like Battin and T3 are like his little brothers or some shit). Enough rambling for the moment. Although it is one of the best records to come out in the past couple years, I don't think it is any better than "Ressurection". It is obviously a new sound for Common, but I would have liked to see less singing and more scratches (Sinista of course). I understand he's probably going to win the Badu crowd, which is all good for him.

This sounds like this should be the one to finally get com his well deserved props, I have no problem waiting till march 28th, I mean we're in february already, it'll be here before I realize it. If its better than Illmatic, better than MD and TK are Black Star (SO underrated), Resurrection, Things Fall Apart, then its already the best album in my collection. BEST ALBUM FROM 92-PRESENT????!!??<P><P>"Intellectual property I got the title and the deed, I pay rent with the tears and sweat and what I bleed"- Talib Kweli<P>"You got hamburger beef I'll french fry ya cause drag done ate your food"- Drag-On

>What I think is called "Pimp's Ho's <BR>>Hustlas" did not turn up on <BR>>the album I got. <P>a film called PIMP is on there.<P><BR>What also happened <BR>>to "Ghetto Heaven"? The first version <BR>>I had was way tighter. All <BR>>the strings? <P>i never put strings on there. that was an unmixed version you have.<P><P>and pianos are gone <BR>>for the most part and now <BR>>D'Angelo is singing the hook (maybe <BR>>he was on the first also, <BR>>it just sounded a lot different).<P><BR>bilal demoed it so that d could know what words to sing.<P> <BR>>The shit is dope nevertheless, the <BR>>only gripe I have is not <BR>>enough hard shit like the "Payback" <BR>>or "Hot Shit" .<P>sometimes "hard shit" as you put it has to take a back seat. if shit is dope shit is dope. i consider "afrodisiac" "hard" because the beat is tight and the rhymes are tight. that is "hard" to me. a song don't have to make you wanna beat someone down just to be hard. and what about "coldblooded" "dooinit" "6th sense" and "thelonius"? <P><P><P><P> Can't complain <BR>>the album is putting the dopest <BR>>rapper and producer (Jay Dee) together <BR>>of the moment.<P>damn the others can't get a shout? james, d', and myself worked on the same ish that jay worked on too. it wasn't a solo effort.<P> I was also <BR>>happy to see somebody actually let <BR>>Slum rap on thier shit. It <BR>>seems like a lot of groups <BR>>want a Jay Dee beat, but <BR>>don't want him to bring the <BR>>group (kind of like Battin and <BR>>T3 are like his little brothers <BR>>or some shit). Enough rambling for <BR>>the moment. Although it is one <BR>>of the best records to come <BR>>out in the past couple years, <BR>>I don't think it is any <BR>>better than "Ressurection". It is obviously <BR>>a new sound for Common, but <BR>>I would have liked to see <BR>>less singing and more scratches (Sinista <BR>>of course). I understand he's probably <BR>>going to win the Badu crowd, <BR>>which is all good for him. <P><BR>see, this is where i see ignorance comin in. i bet you like outkast too and there shit be singin 24/7. you won't be considered soft if you like singin'. the only problem i have with singin is in hip-hop singin is used as a way to get on radio. but here, the reason we used bilal so friggin much is that we are truly in love with the sound of his voice. we are so honored that this jazz cat got down with us (and we blessed his record the same way) again as a whole album, skits, flow, segues, lyrics, beats, and yes chorus' this album is miles ahead of "res". i can name 4 songs i fast foward on "res". i can't recall one moment that i'll fast foward on this joint. and yeah i created it, but i'm still a fan, and anything i create i do it from a standpoint of what do i want to hear when i'm in the whip?<P>this is where i insert the obligatory "you are entitled to your opinion yada yada yada"....so that "badu" crowd is that sayin that you are "too hard" to appreciate this? all you listen to is steroids rap? ok so if we woulda scratched the chorus in.....it wouldn't have fit the songs at all. sorry dude, go get a copy of the real record and see me in one year then tell me whussup? you got cats thinkin this is an album of "reminding me of sef's". hell no we ain't goin out like that.<P><BR>THE SOULQUARIANS<BR>chewy (quest).....jan<BR>luke (d)........feb <BR>lando (jaydee)......feb<BR>cp30 (james poyser).....jan<BR>r2d2 (jazzy jeff)......jan<BR>hans (chaos)........jan<BR>anakin (lil mike)......feb<P>honorary members:<BR>kelo- soulacorn.......jan<BR>common- soulcies......march<BR>erykah- soulcies......feb<BR>

It annoys me sometimes when people complain about R&B singing on rap songs... shit, if it is GOOD singing, what's wrong with it? Like Erykah on You Got Me, Lauryn on Retrospect... some of the stuff Cee-Lo has done w/ Dungeon Fam... those people have original, soulful voices. If the rest of the singing on LWFC is anything like those joints (or Sixth Sense, for that matter) I will love it.<P>www.angelfire.com/ca2/mystic

<P>>sometimes "hard shit" as you put it <BR>>has to take a back seat. <BR>>if shit is dope shit is <BR>>dope. i consider "afrodisiac" "hard" because <BR>>the beat is tight and the <BR>>rhymes are tight. that is "hard" <BR>>to me. a song don't have <BR>>to make you wanna beat someone <BR>>down just to be hard. <P>I guess "hard shit" is a wrong choice of words. Yes I do like MOP very much so, but I don't expect Common to come "hard" in the same context. "Payback" doesn't make me want to fight but it does get me hyped. If that is steriod rap, then I am fuckin Lyle Alzado. I agree that "Afrodeziak", "Dooinit" and "Thelonius" all fit the above description. I overlooked those in the previous post. A proper example of "hard shit" I like would esvee fantastik 1. Dirty beats and raps. Like I said I have no problem with the album, I just would have preferred songs more along those aforementioned stylings.<BR>><BR>><BR>><BR>> Can't complain <BR>>>the album is putting the dopest <BR>>>rapper and producer (Jay Dee) together <BR>>>of the moment.<P>>damn the others can't get a shout? <BR>>james, d', and myself worked on <BR>>the same ish that jay worked <BR>>on too. it wasn't a solo <BR>>effort. <P>I don't have the credits to know who did what. These days it is getting harder to tell (shit I thought Jay Dee produced a lot of "Vooodu"). My guess would be Jay Dee did the following:<P>"Dooinit" (obviously)<BR>"Payback"<BR>"Thelonius"<BR>"Afrodesiak" (maybe, probably a stretch)<BR>"Hot Shit"<BR>"Cold Blooded" (with ? on drums?)<P>> i bet you <BR>>like outkast too and there shit <BR>>be singin 24/7. you won't be <BR>>considered soft if you like singin'. <BR>>the only problem i have with <BR>>singin is in hip-hop singin is <BR>>used as a way to get <BR>>on radio. but here, the reason <BR>>we used bilal so friggin much <BR>>is that we are truly in <BR>>love with the sound of his <BR>>voice. we are so honored that <BR>>this jazz cat got down with <BR>>us (and we blessed his record <BR>>the same way) <P>For the record I thought Outkasts last album was wack, not because of the singing though. The point being Common's first three albums were pretty much devoid of singing (barring the few cuts from One Day). "Res" had some of the dopest scratched choruses that I have ever heard in a album. I understand it is a new sound, and a new record, but you would have to admit is a drastik change.<P><P> that "badu" crowd <BR>>is that sayin that you are <BR>>"too hard" to appreciate this? all <BR>>you listen to is steroids rap? <BR>>ok so if we woulda scratched <BR>>the chorus in.....it wouldn't have fit <BR>>the songs at all. sorry dude, <BR>>go get a copy of the <BR>>real record and see me in <BR>>one year then tell me whussup? <BR>>you got cats thinkin this is <BR>>an album of "reminding me of <BR>>sef's". hell no we ain't goin <BR>>out like that. <P><BR>I don't think Common is selling out or anything. It is obvious that he wants to be appreciated by more common folk (no pun intended). Listen to the "Backsmack em with a skateboard" line on "Cold Blooded". You can't tell that aint a dis towards the "Backpack" nation (which I am not a member of). By me saying he will appeal to the Badu crowd, it doesn't mean he will lose the hip hop crowd (at least I hope he wouldn't). The album just has the ability to broaden his appeal. He has never had a single like "Funky for You" which can make people dance. (not to mention be the first club record without a loud obnoxious hi-hat in awhile). Obviously this stylistic change was heartfelt and not forced. Common didn't try to tone down the raps or anything for mass consumption (see Ras Kass, Souls of Mischief and many others)<P>I appreciate the fuck out of this album. I think it was well thought out and put together. I just don't look at it in the same light as "Res" because it is a totally different work. Not to say that either is better, just different.<P>got to get back to work I'm getting tired of responding to outrage at all of my posts.<P><BR>> THE SOULQUARIANS chewy (quest).....jan luke (d)........feb <BR>> lando (jaydee)......feb cp30 (james poyser).....jan <BR>>r2d2 (jazzy jeff)......jan hans (chaos)........jan anakin <BR>>(lil mike)......feb <BR>>honorary members: kelo- soulacorn.......jan common- soulcies......march erykah- <BR>>soulcies......feb <P><BR>

"Webster's don't know jack" me<BR>"CARROTS" me<BR>"The system is screwed" me

<BR>I already heard The big Payback, the 6th sense and doint.(Is it on the album).I was satisied by all of them.I disagree with the 6 th sense being a thumps down. By the way, I hate you to for having the pleasure of listening to this album before the majority of us.I just hope Common can sell as much as Voodoo.I know I'll do my part.Let's pray.<BR>Peace!<P>F.A.T.B.A.N.<P>Once a burglar broke into my crib and I robbed him- Big L

Be there.<P><BR><a href="http://members.xoom.com/ogando/bwphoto" target="_blank">http://members.xoom.com/ogando/bwphoto<;/a><BR>"And as a special treat this evening, I have asked America's foremost young poet, to read his latest poem for us....."

The nerve you have to come on here giving graphic descriptions of LWFC. Okay, so you wanna make me mad? Now I'm mad. Are you satisfied? If I ever see your flaunting flamboyant ass at an okayplayer convention best believe it's getting jumped....<P>OK. I'm just playing. It's all love.(That's my way of saying, hook a brother up!! at least with the RMX) I've heard two none single songs from the album. "Questions" and another one where the hook is brought in(sometimes scratched a little)from a record. Is that aaron hall or stevie wonder? never thought i'd get the two mixed up. Anyway that song is probably one of the most reflective love ballads I've ever heard. It has a nice drum track that sounds programmed but could be a rearranged drum loop. The sample on the song is EQed so that Common's voice melts through the track instead of just stitting on it. "Questions" at first sounded plain but now I can't get enough of it.<BR>(I do agree that "Sixth Sense" is starting to sound out of place but it is still a good song)<P>I guess my college radio is not "big" enough to get an advance but here's what I'd do(and I mean it) if I got my hands on the album before the release date. Split my show into two half hour segments and play only tracks from LWFC in the first half.<BR>For now my signature remains the same...<BR>ONE LOVE<BR>-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-<BR>March 28th seems such a long wait.<BR>You know how albums get pushed back? Can they also be pushed "forward"?<BR>-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_<BR>

I really wish Kweli would have been on this album, as of now the version i have doesnt have him anywhere or Black Thought. Slum is there of course which is good, and Mos but no Kweli.<P>I was damn sure he would be on an album named "Like Water For Chocolate" by Common somewhere.<P>And he didnt rhyme on 1 9 9 9 either... what the deal wit that? Sadat X is Sadat X but come on, let Kweli shine.<P><BR>Sheldon Mar"Quez" Rankin<BR><a href="http://www.sheldon.bored.org" target="_blank">http://www.sheldon.bored.org<;/a><P>"oh lawd Quez is here, okayplayer will never be the same" ---- some wise man<P>"The truth is, my crew is, the smoothest spitters of saliva juices like The Roots is, More Organic than acoustics" ---- Talib Kweli<P>"No need to mic test, you can feel it in ya chest... yo BEYAAAAATCH, feel it in her breasts" - Common

quick message<P>coms album is straight classic<P>but it dont touch slums effort.<P>I hear slum villages album is getting a uk release, anyhow its all packaged up and out in london, ive seen it everywhere.Bongos, Deal Real et al. But according to hiphopsite this is a bootleg as well!! what the hell, someone elucidate upon this please.

...seriously, they come wack. Didn't go w/ the vibe of the album AT ALL.. As of this point I'm gonna say this is the best album to come out... at least since Illmatic - I personally like LWFC more. So saying the Slum Village joint is the worst doesn't mean its a bad song... but there is no possible way their album could be better than this.<P>www.angelfire.com/ca2/mystic

slum village is better my opinion bottom line. Nodoubting that the two albums are on point though.although common would verbally murder any of the mcs from sv.

>...seriously, they come wack.<P>you listen to jay dee's verse and say they come wack? mind you i didn't dig t3's vibe. but batin came nice, and jay straight ripped shit. and the beat is classic.<P><BR> <P><BR>THE SOULQUARIANS<BR>chewy (quest).....jan<BR>luke (d)........feb <BR>lando (jaydee)......feb<BR>cp30 (james poyser).....jan<BR>r2d2 (jazzy jeff)......jan<BR>hans (chaos)........jan<BR>anakin (lil mike)......feb<P>honorary members:<BR>kelo- soulacorn.......jan<BR>common- soulcies......march<BR>erykah- soulcies......feb<BR>

Yo, Quest, u hear Esvee's "swizz beats" joint, "Raise it Up"? Without question, my favorite Jaydee verse: "I don't fuck with the streets, i aint' from the D, I wasnt blessed with the beats.." I hope this shit drops, Jay blows swizz's style out the water, but its 100% detroit, music to ride to! This would blow Slum up! (though i know everyone would hate on it- ecspecially here), but eff it! Slum's got more styles than cash money got gold teeth, baby! The Common/Esvee joint is butta, and March 28 seems too far away....

man u continue to upset me. I've been livin in Flintown for 20 years and i aint heard none of the ish u heard. They damn sure dont get no radio airplay. Where do you get this ish from? mixtapes? mom & pop joints? or esvee themselves? Hook me cat daddy.<P><P>"I rarely masturbate dog, but I always be feelin myself" - Ras Kass<P>"If people don't like you for who you are, FUCK EM! FUCK em up against the wall with handcuffs on and crazy glue on their lips" - Bernie Mac from House Party 19<P>"Ya'll move back now this nigga's ILL" - Dollar Bill<P>"You want freestyle, that's right my style is free, niggas suck my dick and they girls drink my pee" - Kool Keith<P>"I enter New York no problem with my dick out, California porno star, my ass you can lick out" - Kool Keith<P>"Man I am a pimp!" - Quinten from The Best Man

You can cop it on vinyl at www.sandboxautomatic.com<P>"Fuck this rap shit, I listen to Classical" -Jaydee

but baatin says that line not jaydee. just correcting fellow okayplayer's.<P><BR>"fuck this rap shit I listen to classical"---Baatin of Slum Village<P>"cause who i'm talking bout y'all is HIP-HOP"---Common Sense<P>"i'm morpheus in this hip hop matrix, exposing fake shit"---Common Sense

hang on. how the hell did we get caught on this? can we be united for once? why can't slum and com be dope at the same time? mind you i gave com a half of rating lower than slum (assuming ang and doug put my com review up monday) but i never speak in terms of "blah blah blah is better". PET SOUNDS touches me. STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON touches me, does that mean that i'll say PET is better? cmon y'all we got to get it together. both albums are dope. standards as far as i'm concerned. <P><P><P><P><P><BR>THE SOULQUARIANS<BR>chewy (quest).....jan<BR>luke (d)........feb <BR>lando (jaydee)......feb<BR>cp30 (james poyser).....jan<BR>r2d2 (jazzy jeff)......jan<BR>hans (chaos)........jan<BR>anakin (lil mike)......feb<P>honorary members:<BR>kelo- soulacorn.......jan<BR>common- soulcies......march<BR>erykah- soulcies......feb<BR>

I compared the two albums, on the basis that they were put together by the same/similar production<BR>team. Its like saying, I prefer Primos earlier stuff eg hard to earn over Jerus last effort.

Ahem, I quote:<P>>Due out on March 28th, here's the advance, unmastered copy of the new Common album.<BR>>Please note that there was no tracklisting included. Please do not email me about it. <P>Now yeah, this shit sucks - especially with ?uest tryin his damn'dest - but my man, these RNS boys got it. I'll tell you I'm not downloading it, but that is only because I've tried, and the files aren't working... yet. I'll say it'll be fixed in... 5... 4... 3...<P>Hey man - I know SV is bumpin' and this is how. If I could buy that shit I would (f- I got folks in england looking for me!). It's a shame, but it happens these days.<P>{a}

They aint looking very hard its everywhere

And it's people who claim to love the culture doing it.<P>You work well over a year on something pouring everything into it and don't even get to present it the way you want to.<P>People say they are going to buy it, but they know they won't. <P>Why even hit the site up and let them know y'all support it? Just be patient.<P>Dot Com<P>--<BR>Like Water for Chocolate: March 28th<P>Before that if you're a sucker.

cant argue with that anology.<P>however with the slum album I dont personally know if Ive got the bootleg or the real deal. Some people say its had an english release others disagree!!??

I guess this is major DR on my part...but Ima wait til it comes out and buy it... why? because 1) I believe fully in supporting artists through record sales - never bought a bootleg in my life<BR>and 2) March 28th is my birthday. What better present could I give myself??? You picked a great release date!!!!<BR>*hugz*<BR>Dove<BR>~Sheepish Lordess of Chaos~<P>People may doubt what you say, but they will always believe what you do.

>You work well over a year on <BR>>something pouring everything into it and <BR>>don't even get to present it <BR>>the way you want to. <BR>>People say they are going to buy <BR>>it, but they know they won't. <P>Tell me you're not gonna switch up the album just cause some internet kids got a hold of it early. Man, on the real, it pisses me off when artists change their albums to "fool" the mp3 kids. Nas scrapped some nice material last year cause bootleggers got it early. Deck did it. Mobb Deep. Look, yo. Present the album the way you want it. I wanna see YOUR vision. Eff a mp3. If they get the album two months in advance, who cares? Eff them. What if bootleggers got a hold of "Illmatic" two months before its release? Should Nas have scrapped 3 or 4 cuts and replaced them with some thrown-together-at-the-last-minute-to-foil-bootleggers tracks or should he have just put out the 9 track album the way he originally saw it - knowing full well that a lot of heads would have already heard the album? I'm sayin. Don't let these mp3 kids change hip-hop. If they get your joint early, eff it. It's one thing when they're cutting into album sales, but it's something totally different when they start changing albums. I'm sayin, man. Don't let them change hip-hop.<P>---------------------------<BR>"when science finally locates the center of the universe, some people will be surprised to learn they're not it."<BR>- unknown<P>"words - so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them."<BR>- nathaniel hawthorne<P>"whatever happens it was written, meaning God meant it..." <BR>- nasir jones

<BR>>What if bootleggers got a hold <BR>>of "Illmatic" two months before its <BR>>release? Should Nas have scrapped <BR>>3 or 4 cuts and replaced <BR>>them with some thrown-together-at-the-last-minute-to-foil-bootleggers tracks or <BR>>should he have just put out <BR>>the 9 track album the way <BR>>he originally saw it - knowing <BR>>full well that a lot of <BR>>heads would have already heard the <BR>>album?<P>Well, "Illmatic" got bootlegged to death...that album was all over NYC weeks before its release...that hurt his sales a lot and partially explains why it took "Illmatic" so long to go gold...<P>it's so sad artists have to choose between putting out subpar material to fool bootleggers or face reduced sales from folks who look at the track listing and say "i got all these on the bootleg already". hmmm. <P>For my part, Com, I hope you keep it the same. <P>ps: Just for the sake of radio, I imagine (without even hearing it) that "Ghetto Heaven" will be a good first single, because D'Angelo is so hot right now in the mainstream (and deservedly so). Good luck, man.<P>Peace,<P>Spirit<BR><a href="http://amphibians.iuma.com" target="_blank">http://amphibians.iuma.com<;/a><BR><a href="http://infiniteloop.iuma.com" target="_blank">http://infiniteloop.iuma.com<;/a><BR>DC hip-hop is on the rise...<P>"High grade when I create beats/if I don't get signed/I'ma be the most dope bum that ever walked the streets" - <BR>Aychell (HL, of Khemystery)<P>"If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it's probably a tool of the conspiracy" - unknown

I might be the exception to the rule, but to be honest, when I hear a dope album on mp3... that makes me want to pick it up on vinyl (or CD) EVEN MORE. Yeah, I downloaded "Like Water..." and I can't wait to lay down my $16.99 Canadian for the real thing!<P>onelove<P>quiz<BR><a href="http://fly.to/astralmajesty" target="_blank">http://fly.to/astralmajesty<;/a>

I know a lot about these groups who release albums on the internet in MP3 format and their origins. They were built of course to help people find all the tracks they would like to hear without having to spend hundreds. To be more specific, the creators of these groups wanted to expand thier own collections by connecting with others. Nowadays... the main objective of these groups is to be the first to "release" brand new albums and how early they can do so.<BR>These groups, one in particular actually help "underground" artists get exposure....while some (people) may not purchase thier (these artists) material, many will after that exposure to it if they actually like it. I do have a large digital audio collection, but over 90% of it falls into two catagories, 1) Tracks I have already purchased and would like a backup of (in case my CD gets scratched or somethin) and 2) Tracks by artists who havent "surfaced" yet and their material would be hard to purchase or very expensive to order whether I wanted to or not. -example- I've had the "Infinate LP" by Eminem for 3 years but would be able to buy it without spending rediculous money.<P>I have been around the "scene" and those who do love the "art" and Common's work will make purchases. This is a fact. I personally would never allow anyone to release the Common album on the net, but after hearing it was released, i did listen to it, cause its something i wanted to hear -- everyone on this site would listen to it, highly anticipated. I bought Roots, Common, and D'angelo releases long before I ever heard an MP3 and will long after. Thats the real.<P>I dont care how many MP3's you cats get, just support those artists you DO want to continue making records. Thats how I look at it.<P><BR>Sheldon Mar"Quez" Rankin<BR><a href="http://www.sheldon.bored.org" target="_blank">http://www.sheldon.bored.org<;/a><P>"oh lawd Quez is here, okayplayer will never be the same" ---- some wise man<P>"The truth is, my crew is, the smoothest spitters of saliva juices like The Roots is, More Organic than acoustics" ---- Talib Kweli<P>"No need to mic test, you can feel it in ya chest... yo BEYAAAAATCH, feel it in her breasts" - Common

My man hit it right there.<P>{a}

Yo I'm feeling what you said about the MP3 scene etc., and wanted to let all of yall know there was an EXCELLENT article called "So you wanna be an internet rock 'n roll star" in the Boston Globe a week or two back (www.bostonglobe.com) addressing the whole online digital music scene. They talked about how the uploading and downloading works, about David Bowie's internet-only album, and most importantly the recent AOL-Time Warner-EMI merger and its soon-to-take-place effects on independant music online. I don't know much about MP3's because I DJ and I spend my time digging in crates rather than searching for music online, but I do know this: the record companies are getting their just desserts as a result of this almost Marxist internet music scene... and they're gonna do everything in their power to take it over themselves. Prince sold around 250,000 copies of his "Crystal Ball" set by just ADVERTISING and DISTRIBUTING online, and was quoted saying he made more behind that than selling 13 MILLION copies of "Purple Rain". Record companies are as pissed as a result of this MP3 revolution as Bill Gates was when Netscape downloaded their Navigatior browser free over the web. The same way Gates wanted to get $$ for every piece of information transported over the internet, Time Warner and EMI are now gonna try to pimp MP3's. Can we prevent this??? Who knows...<BR>Oh, and by the way, I am a frequent used-record-store-promotional-copy-buyer, but Com, when your album drops I'm going TO TOWER to cop it; let's get you up there on SoundScan... I already feel guilty enough for catching Amel Larreiux's album in mid-January there for 7 bucks...<P>"Standin' on the corner, holdin' my..."<BR>-Greg Nice<BR>"I like my hoes on X like Eminem"<BR>-Jay-Z<BR>"In the boundless panorama of the existing and visible universe, whatever shapes appear, whatever sounds vibrate, whatever radiances illuminate, or whatever consciousnesses cognize, all are the play or manifestation of the Tri-Kaya, the Principle of the Cause of all Causes, the Primordial Trinity. Impenetrating all, is the All-Pervading Essence of Spirit, which is Mind. It is uncreated, impersonal, self-existing, immaterial, and indestructible." <BR>-Lama Kazi Dawa-Samdup

you represent the chi, especially South. Keep doin yo thang bro, it's peeps at the crib that know the demo. F--- the bustas.

I couldn't have said it better even if I were Webster's! <P>For real though, people have got to stop bootleggin'. They think they're all smooth and shit for getting albums before they're released, but they don't realize they are hurting Hip-Hop as much as anyone.<P>It's because of "sucker" bootleggers that albums go from bangin' to aight to wack (i.e. "I Am..." and from what I've read "Nastradamus", also "Murda Muzik", etc.).<P>Not only that, but "suckers" claim they support Com, but then they deny him possible relatively commercial success by bootlegging his shit.<P>That shit is not right people, it has got to stop. Com poured his heart and soul into LWFC, the least you can do is BUY a copy on March 28th.<P>If there are any of you "suckers" that plan on bootleggin LWFC and show up on Okayplayer, eat a dick (take that very personally) and go out and buy 10 copies of LWFC before showing up around here.<P>Sorry, but talking about bootleggers makes me wanna beat someone's ass.<P>Straight up, buy LWFC when it comes out and support Common and all those who live for the advancement of Hip-Hop in our misguided world.<P>Peace (except to bootleggers-eat a dick!)<P>"My life is one big rhyme, I'm trying to scheme through it" -Common<P>"Niggas say I'm nice with metaphors, but these are similes" -Common

So ?uest and Com are on the site - and they made the album. <P>y'all - we're not gonna hear that this album is wack on this site. It's too bad we have to have classic talk. I don't wanna pin where this $#! starts - but it's not hard to find it. <P>The album is good - but the problem is I read common=classic so many times, and now I'm listening and it's good. Maybe it'll be classic - but illmatic didn't hit classic for me until a couple years ago. It was just good.<P>I look for music that will say 'hi' and punch me in the mouth and blow my mind. And to be honest the only hiphop artists who have _ever_ done that are Killa Priest, Gza and Dose One.<P>So I guess I'm disappointed. I got a dozen classic albums... I'm done lookin for 'em and listening to other folks - my classics aren't yours. Why do we even toss the word around?<P>I guess whoever yells classic loudest wins... amina put my headphones on.<P>{a}

HoMeBrO SaYs Common has got a masterpiece on his hands, Common displays all sides to what makes him a man, and displays all sides to one's life.<BR>Common has got the perfect balance on this album, Common has really done it this time, he has truly made a masterpiece, that is smart, intelligent, funny, thugish, crazy, comical, and displays all sides of human emotions.<P>I'm proud of you common, for making a wonderful album<P>Mos def's album proves you can sell a lot of records, and not sell your soul, same goes with the roots, and my man from chicago common.<P><P><P>

when i found out that lwfc was out on mp3, i did everthing i could to get it. i couldn't get it. every site i looked at was a leech account, or a ratio, and i couldn't download it. i've never downloaded an mp3 before, so maybe i just dont know where to look. anyway, i have since found out that i cant get permission to download any good hip hop mp3's from anyone, cuz their all a bunch of crappy leech account sites. makes me kinda mad. if anyone could tell me how to get stuff, i'd appreciate it.<BR>now to my main point, i really wanted lwfc. i would have downloaded it if i could have. then i read com's post, and i agree with him. and plus, when the 28th comes, and me and all my friends are waiting in line at the store, it wouldn't be as special. but there are people out there who will still buy the album. i personally own at least double copies of all com realeases. got the cd, and at least one copy on viynl. but im not going to do it. im going to wait.<BR>dying...waiting for the 28th.<BR>lorok1<BR>grass root squads<BR>dedicated to the elevation of the individual, through the elevation of Hiphop.<BR>