Biggie.  Everybody loves him.  In fact, he’s the most searched artist on my website.  “Hypnotize,” the first single from 1996’s “Life After Death” LP, is perhaps his best pop song.  Now, by pop song, of course I just mean pop smash, not “pop song” in the traditional sense, because obviously its strait hip-hop.  But a smash it was, peaking at #1 right after Biggie’s unfortunate assassination.  The most memorable thing about the song for me is how it showcases the unlimited potential Biggie had at being the world’s greatest rapper.  Can you imagine how many other diamond cut classics Biggie would have churned out if he was allowed to live past 24, and how his style and music might have evolved?  It’s a crying shame, and the world’s bitter loss.  For those keeping score, the rhythm track is sampled from “Rise,” an 1979 Herb Alpert hit, and the chorus is sung by Pamela Long, not Lil’ Kim, as many assume.  It’s one of the most defining tracks from the 90s, and its greatness will probably live on forever.  One last thing, being that I’m based in Brooklyn, Biggie would want you to vote ME as CBS’s Best NYC local Blogger, which you can do so, by clicking here!  Thanks Biggie, you’re too kind.

After I saw that Bored to Death trailer that featured the boys going crazy on Coney Island to the Beastie Boys song Triple Trouble, I myself, have gone crazy, seeking this song out in all its forms.  So, that’s what I’ve done, finding three killer performances of the song on youtube.  The song, which samples heavily from rap’s first song, “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang, is just one of the catchiest things I’ve ever heard.  I love the sped up version the best, performed on MTV in 2004.  They absolutely kill it.  The second performance is from AOL’s live sessions, and is just a perfect display of their rap mastery.  The third performance is the music video itself.  I really like it, but the song doesn’t start until about a minute and a half into it.  It features some bizarre story about the Beasties making a fashion statement at an awards show, before Big Foot comes to fight and dance with them.  I hope you enjoy this incredibly funky and fresh cut.  And just in case you like it as much as I do, don’t forget to vote for me in the CBS’s Best NYC Blogger Contest, in which I am a finalist.  Just click these words!  Thanks!

It’s the Beastie Boys, its the Roots, and they’re performing “So What’cha Want” LIVE!  Well, it was live, on the Jimmy Fallon show not too long ago.  This is an awesome clip of Mike D, Ad-Rock, and MCA killing their classic hit single from their 1992 LP Check Your Head.  I’ve always like the Beasties, but never really delved head first into their records until recently.  I appreciate their aggressive 3 pronged vocal attack, recording creativity, and their general subversive attitude they interject into the mass culture.  They are three radical uncompromising artists who command a massive fan base which is an impressive feat in today’s sell out sort of world.  This is a flawless performance showcasing their rock solid vitality, an amazing feat in itself for any group that’s been together as long as they have…