I’m in love.  I’ve been in love with this man since 1999.  I was 9 years old.  Mind you, I speak of this love in the same way Common speaks of H.E.R.  The feeling is mutual.  Nas has been the epitome of hip hop to me for years now… but that’s a personal opinion that many of you probably could care less about.

The exciting news I have is about his solo album.  In a conversation with the UK’s Hip Hop News vet, Timothy Westwood, Nas not only revealed his thoughts on Drake and the possibility of working with Kanye, but also why his solo album will be his best yet, and an exclusive answer about his failed marriage with Kelis.  Nas candidly speaks on his beliefs and why he believes their love turned for the worst.

POP THAT BUBBLE FOR THE EXCLUSIVE VID

Part I

Part II

Coming from his dual project with Reggae Royalty, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, entitled “Distant Relatives,” Nas remains on tour for promotion of the album.  Be sure to check him and Damian out in a venue near you before it wraps up!  And if you happen to buy tickets for the BK performance next weekend… hook a sister up???  Where’s that Kelis alimony when you need it? smh.

Album push-backs are the ultimate *SLAP IN THE FACE* to artists who spend countless time promoting, creating, releasing and leaking tracks to build anticipation.  Of course, record labels are the big heads behind these actions as well, but what happens when a label decides to let it… sit?

Lupe Fiasco has been tweeting about his next album, “Lasers” for almost a year now.  With the afore-posted official tweet by the rapper himself, it’s a wonder why there is no scheduled release date.  But I’ll tell you why!

I’m a big time believer in conspiracies so it’s pretty plain obvious to me that the “Dumb It Down” rapper has said some things that the label isn’t too fond of.  Or perhaps they’re just more focused on other artists who they feel are guaranteed radio play?  I mean, if I were a money-hungry executive who had no intentions of uplifting a great people, I would throw that classic shit away too… (SERIOUSLY, he’s one of the VERY FEW ATLANTIC ARTISTS whose full catalogue isn’t available to listen to on Myspace Music).. but I digress.  Whatever the cause, enough is enough. Lupe is someone who speaks for the people.  He tells the truth.  It may not be in your terms, or even in your preferred way of learning, but he teaches.  He makes music you can sing to, laugh to, cry with, and learn from.  I don’t mean to say that in only religious terms, either.  Lupe Fiasco has inspired a generation because of his unique style, delivery and message.

Well, I’m done complaining and so are nearly 9,000 other people (to date).  Sign the OFFICIAL “Release of the Lasers Album Petition” to Atlantic Records HERE, and use your internet skills for something worthy.  Plus, I need to see that cutie in a new video PRONTO.  My computer screen is just screaming for some of that 2010 intelligent beauty!

I mean… don’t we need a bit of both of this on the radio?

I think I’m Big Meech… Larry Hoover… Whipping Work… Halleluiah

-Rick Ross; “B.M.F”

I remember watching Hustle and Flow, bopping my head to “Hard out here for a Pimp,” thinking: “Shoot, it must be hard”.  Coming to think of it though, any job is hard. In fact, to make it in any field and create a name for yourself is equally as difficult. How many people do you know professions are: rapper/singer/songwriter? Yet, they’re virtually unheard of no matter how great their talent is?

Behind these unknown wonders stands the league of artists that are highly underrated. One such underrated artist is Ryan Leslie– the multi-tasking artist as I like to call him. Priding himself on not only writing his own music, but creating the tracks all on his own; from the piano to the soft auto-tune to the layering of voices, he does it all on his own. Now, in this day and age of hiring the best engineers, producers, and backup singers, Leslie proves that true ambition and true talent can still be found.

POP THAT BUBBLE FOR THE REST

On July 14th, SummerStage held one of its free concerts in Springfield Park in Queens of NYC. I arrived and thought, “Damn, sure aren’t that many folk out here”. I’m pretty sure had it been a Jay-Z or a Drake or even a SouljaBoy show, the park would have been completely crowded. Little by little, though, the park started to get fuller, and as the DJ Dee Wiz hit the stage blasting hits like ‘Poison’ and ‘It Takes Two’ I was ready to get down.

Ryan Leslie took the stage after up and coming artist Miguel who’s known for his radio hit “All I Want Is You” featuring J. Cole. Once Leslie was on, there was non-stop energy coming from the stage. I was in awe at how much I could see the passion he had through his mannerisms, through his dancing, through his manipulation of the songs. The man…to say the least, is an amazing performer. He left no songs left unsung, and serenaded the crowd for a good hour and a half. By the end of the concert, I had mixed feelings. I was happy because I had been able to be up close watching an amazing performer do what he does best, but I was upset because I wanted more people to embrace his art. But like he said himself in his new track, ‘The Glory’,

“I have these kids looking at me like what a shame, damn he’s so underrated, he should have had his own record with his own tour”

And indeed its true, he has to “spill his guts to get the glory.”

—Bubble Thoughts by @_MissBossman_

While attending a free concert in Queens (thanks to SummerStage) featuring Ryan Leslie, I was introduced to R&B newcomer Miguel. Miguel is a singer/songwriter from Cali who co-wrote Musiq Soulchild’s #1 single “If U Leave” and also worked on Usher’s albums Here I Stand and Raymond V Raymond. He performed his debut single “All I Want Is You” which features J. Cole and a possible next single titled “Quickie.” We were given an album sampler of his debut album titled “All I Want Is You” which comes out this September. Besides his single that’s already out, the sampler features 4 tracks, “Sure Thing,” “Quickie,” “Go (You & Me),” and “I’ll Still Try.”

Pop That Bubble For The Sampler Review

& A Peek At His Newest Video

The sampler opens with “All I Want Is You” which is a mid-tempo song that features Hip-Hop newcomer J. Cole. Miguel sings about wanting his old girl back since she left and how the other girls don’t compare. This song has been on repeat since I have heard it.

The follow-up track “Sure Thing,” which was supposed to be his first single, is a slow-tempo song that reassures his girl that their love is a sure thing. He opens saying, “Love you like a brother/Treat you like a friend/Respect you like a lover.” Then he lists different analogies and correlates them to him and his girl. It’s a very cute song and I can see it being played whenever there is a doubt in a relationship, just for reassurance.

“Quickie” is a raunchy mid-tempo song that gets straight to the point of telling the one he lusts after “I don’t wanna be loved/I just want a quickie” and he goes on to say “Knock on this wood/Get rocked by this thunder.” This song shows off Miguel’s flirtatious/bad boy style and is sure to make the ladies yearn for more of him.

“Go (You & Me)” is another mid-tempo song where a plan is proposed to get away from everyone else. “Cause I just wanna be with you/And I don’t care what they say/We can run to the sun and forget this place/Cause they’ll only tear us down if we stay.”

“I’ll Still Try” is my favorite song and I absolutely adore the lyrics. This mid-tempo song will make all the ladies say, “Awww,” because we all want a man that will cater to us when we’re having a “down” day. “Cause when you’re feeling low/I just want you to know that I/Still think you’re beautiful and I/Still think you’re wonderful though I/Though I’m still just a man/And I’ll never understand/I’ll still try”

As a new face to the mainstream, Miguel is a sigh of relief that R&B is not all about sex, but about love, making a woman feel good about herself and a man who knows just how to do it. Miguel is a fresh breath of air to today’s R&B. He is not one to disappoint, if you are a true fan of R&B. He also shed some light on how he wants people to feel/think when they hear his music: “I want them to say ‘Thank Goodness!’ I want them to feel like this is what they been wanting and this is what they’ve been waiting for. It’s so new and so different. I know there’s a place for it. I know there’s a market for it. People will hear it and feel like it’s so different yet still relatable.”

If you haven’t seen or heard “All I Want Is You” I have it here for your viewing pleasure.

And since he’s album doesn’t come out until September, I have the link to download his mixtape he dropped last year, which is titled Mischief: The Mixtape. Mischief: The Mixtape

—Bubble Thoughts by @TarnishaLaShell

Just the other day, I was tweeting about my love for Rick Ross’ new album “Teflon Don” when this interaction occurred:

I didn’t mind the comment at all, instead, it triggered a further contemplation of “coke” aka gangsta rap for me.  I’m a person who takes pride in the fact that I don’t know every song on the radio, or care what the instructions are for the latest dance craze to hit the clubs.  I am, however, more proud of the fact that I don’t discriminate when it comes to music.  From “progressive” rap to “gangsta” rap, I love it all.  Although I prefer the more advocate-derived music for my motivation, I find a piece of gold in just about every sub-genre of hip hop.  I mean, I can simultaneously be inspired by Lupe Fiasco, Erykah Badu and Nas while knowing a bit of Jeezy’s snowman references, Lil Wayne’s cup infatuation, and the overall blissful ignorance of Lil’ Bossie.

No, of course no one should be endorsing drugs. But yes, more of us are in jail for selling than using–so what does that mean?  No, we shouldn’t be carrying around illegal guns.  But yes, many impoverished neighborhoods are flooded with them–so where do they come from?  Coke rap is not the opposite of progressive rap… it’s just different.

What I’m saying is this—we as a people are contradicting ourselves because the lifestyle we are raised in is a contradiction to man.  Why should I pay for water when it’s a necessity for life and to “be free” is always associated with the natural Earth?  Why are we so easy to submit to the police when the entire “objective” of their existence is to serve us?  What then, is wrong with rapping about drugs and guns when it’s a constant aspect of some of our daily lives, whether we choose it to be or not?

Gangsta rappers, for all I’m concerned, are the most important musicians for our mental and spiritual uprising.  Who hasn’t listened to an old school NWA track and wished you could break someone’s face?  And not just for any reason, but due to frustrations, hurt, confusion… Are they not the most feared?  Have you ever wondered why?  Is it not time for people to get angry?  Have we not had enough Oscar Grants and Sean Bells?  I can sit and listen to Freddie Gibb’s “National Anthem (Fuck The World)” ten times back-to-back because what he raps about isn’t only selling drugs and busting guns, but why.  The violence in our streets isn’t going to resolve itself by ignoring them.

Opinions are always weak from those who categorize “gangsta rappers” as ignorant artists contributing to the downfall of our society, because they’re based upon skewed facts.  If anything, they’re the key to finding a forum for these larger issues in society.  With every gangsta rapper comes politics because no matter what you do–you can’t escape it.  Yes, there’s awful artists in every genre, but true artists cover all aspects of the lifestyle.  This is evident in artists from Ice Cube to The Game, Vado to Nipsey Hussle…

Look, You a blood,I’m a crip/You a Tre, I’m a O/If you was raised off Slauson, You would be one too/Ya homeboys get low when they see me come through/And they say that I ain’t got crack/And that would be untrue, but every now and then I figure we can get back to/That black shit instead of killing and banging for crack shit/

PayBack by Nipsey Hussle.

Let the people speak until the people react.  If you’re tired of hearing about drugs, find out why so many sell them.  If you’re sick of hearing about killing and shooting, find out why so many people are angry.  Rick Ross’s “Tears of Joy” featuring Cee-Lo is my favorite track on the album because he speaks about overcoming the need for dependency of a criminal lifestyle.  We have so many kids seeking this feeling today that it’s rare to meet an impoverished black boy under 16 who isn’t aspiring to be a rapper or athlete.

This music is necessary, not progressive.  Each needs each other or else the argument will disappear and the problem will forever remain the same.  Until both worlds can function as one, let’s reach for understanding to make the changes we need to see.  We’re all responsible.

-Bubble Thoughts By @BubbleMami

Voice Your Opinion. Is This Bubbling, or Should It Be Popped?

If you are unaware of our political warriors who have been in the struggle for equal rights and treatment in the United States throughout history, open your ears and eyes to at least this one.  Personally, I’ve heard of many in the past, but never knew the full length story of their battle until I DECIDED to do so.  Learning of Assata, her story was one of the most compelling and eye-opening for me as a teen.  Today, it’s important to recognize her story and understand what it means for not only her generation, but our generation as well..  Here’s a short bio she wrote for herself, followed by a video recorded by Dream Hampton for the Black August Hip Hop Project founded by MXGM.

My name is Assata (“she who struggles”) Shakur (“the thankful one”), and I am a 20th century escaped slave. Because of  government persecution, I was left with no other choice than to flee from the political repression, racism and violence that dominate the US government’s policy towards people of color. I am an ex political prisoner, and I have been living in exile in Cuba since 1984. I have been a political activist most of my life, and although the U.S. government has done everything in its power to criminalize me, I am not a criminal, nor have I ever been one. In the 1960s, I participated in various struggles: the black liberation movement, the student rights movement, and the movement to end the war in Vietnam. I  joined the Black Panther Party. By 1969 the Black Panther Party had become the number one organization targeted by the FBI’s COINTELPRO program. because the Black Panther Party demanded the total liberation of black people, J. Edgar  Hoover called it “greatest threat to the internal security of the country” and  vowed to destroy it and its leaders and activists.

Unless you’ve been living in your own world, warped in a state of mind of selfishness and unconcern for the reality around you, then most likely you know who Oscar Grant is.  After brutally (and most importantly, wrongfully) caught on tape being shot to death by a police officer in LA on New Year’s Eve 2009, the trial has finally ended… but the sentence isn’t at all what anyone would expect from a JUST society, of course.

“Johannes Mehserle will be sentenced on August 6th. There’s still a chance he may not have anything other than probation,” reads one of the news coverages of the case.  Thursday, July 8th, 2010, the transit officer Mehserle was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Facing only up to 4 years in total for the death of an unarmed, non-threatening citizen, the streets of Oakland has opened their mouth and will roar until their cry is heard, understood, and corrected.

It’s important to note that all colors, genders, and backgrounds have come together for this cause.  The media seems to have the habit of focusing on looters, when the real battle is always glazed over.  People have been in the streets for two days fighting for freedom, and it’s time that we all join.  What/Who Do You Stand For?  I Am Oscar Grant, and You Are Too.

Check out the chilling video following the verdict below

Perhaps the best part of this whole video is that they’re performing a Will Smith song!  It’s crazy where time can take you.  These two remain to be two of my favorite people, and this definitely gives me more cause for my obsession of the two!  I always wonder what may have happened between the two had Tupac never had such a negative turn by the end of his life… but then, I think, it’s clear that everything happens for a reason–look at how happy she is with Will!  They now make up my favorite couple in Hollywood, and I just pray that my love is as everlasting and sincere <3 Pop that Bubble Below For the Magic!

Following up with Dipset, it’s only right to bring up Cam’Ron’s newest protégé … Vado.  If you haven’t heard him flood your radio Every Single Night, or didn’t have the chance to catch him at the XXL Event…. check him out below on Hot 97.  I can respect how the freestyle looks pretty much genuine… I mean… all I’m saying is I don’t see a Blackberry scroll…. -_-

Dear Dipset Dreamer,

Your wildest dreams have come true………… They [meaning Capo, Santana, Jimmy AND Killa Kam] are back at it!