Iron Mic Top 5

The summer is coming to an end and the dreaded college grind is ready to begin again. Do not get depressed, there are new tracks that you can listen to on your iPod during those boring lectures.

1) UGK-Real Women feat. Talib Kweli & Raheem Devaughn

Looks like UGK, Raheem Devaughn, and Talib Kweli had to do it again. Are t hey music’s next Ludacris, Lil’ John, and Usher? Let’s hope so. If you were lucky to hear Raheem Devaughn’s 2005 classic “The Love Experience” you may remember the loop from this song is also on his first single, “Guess Who Loves You More.” Not to forget that the song heavily borrows its melody from the Earth, W ind & Fire hit “Can’t Hide Love.” UGK’s song title “Real Women” is about just what us men want in our lives, real women that we can treat l ike royalty. There is nothing but positivity towards our women on this t rack. This is how it should be.
Featured on: Underground Kings (2007)

2) EPMD-Blow

Erick and Parish Making Dollars (EPMD) are back to business with their l atest recording since their split in 1999. “Blow” is a head nodder full of clever lyrics and DJ scratching that reminds yo u of what made EPMD memorable. This is a summer banger with a catchy hook a nd two legendary rhymers feeding off of one another’s energy.
Featured On: We Mean Business (Late 2007/Early 2008)

3) Dr. Cornell West-Bushonomics feat. Talib Kweli

Dr. Cornell West released a compilation called “Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations” in August 2007. On this particular song Talib gives a well needed lesso n on relevant and current topics affecting the proletariats of this nat ion. Talib says “revolution needs participation” and I need you to participate in listening to this track. Dr.West drops a short spoken word at the end. There is no excuse not to listen to the lyri cs because on this record the beat is hot.
Featured On: Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations (2007)

4) Immortal Technique-Military Minds feat. Boot Camp Click

Immortal Technique may well be the most slept on revolutionary rhymer i n Hip Hop history. Now that I have your attention this track is hard, remi nds you of the ‘90s Hip Hop that ran New York. Immortal Technique spits, “I say what other rappers wish they could say about the government.” Whoa, that is a line to keep your mind on the music.
After two albums called Revolutionary Volume 1 and Volume 2 it is bewild ering to think that Technique sounds even hungrier on this track. Not to be outdone BCC and especially Buckshot spit fiery raps with a political conscience.
Featured On: Middle Passage (Late 2007)

5) Daz Dillinger-Caught Up in the Game feat. Joe Budden & Jagged Edge

I had to end the summer with a smooth summer track from one half of the lege ndary Dogg Pound Gangstas. This track has the feel of the mid 90s when G-F unk dominated the radio waves. Jagged Edge provides a silky chorus and J oe Budden offers his Jersey style to this ode to the laid back music of Los Angeles. This is the perfect track for an end of the summer barbeque or cr uising in the whip at night.
Featured On: Gangsta Party (September 2007)


-Kenji “Moviestar K” Summers