Urban Hang Suite w/ Arlo Maverick

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February 24, 2007 Play list

1.      Musiq Soulchild: Girl Next Door

2.      R. Kelly: Ignition

3.      Mario: Let Me Love You

4.      Mowett: Tru Rider

5.      Bird Man: Know What I'm Doin

6.      Rich Boy: Throw Some D's RMX

7.      DJ Unk: Walk It Out RMX

8.      BG: Make'm Mad

9.      Wayne Wonder: Love & Affection

10. Collie Budz: Come Around

11. Morgan Heritage: Love You Right

12. Souljah Fyah: Abundance of Good

13. Sade: By Your Side RMX

14. Taio Cruz: I Just Wanna Know

15. Jonell: Round & Round

16. Maxwell: I Just Wanna Know You

17. Bow Wow: I'm A Flirt

18. Red 1: No Fuss

19. Politic Live: Purification

20. Tony Matterhorn: Goodas

21. T.O.K: Everybody Bounce

22. Sean Paul: All Out

23. Movado: How High

24. CV's Finest: Champagne Beers

25. The Game: Wouldn't Get Far

26. Snoop Dogg: That's That

27. Sticky Fingaz: Why

28. Jay-Z: Guilty

29. BEP: BEP Empire

30. Ghostface: Good

31. Fatty Jones: These Dayz

32. Rikoshay: One By One

33. Solitaire: No Doubt

34. G-Dep: Special Delivery

Urban Hang Suite w/ Arlo Maverick

On CJSR FM88

February 3, 2007 Play list

1.       The Roots: The Seed

2.       The Roots: Long Time

3.       Wu-Tang: Soul Power

4.       KRS-1: The Mind

5.       The Maximum Definitive: Jungle Man

6.       Killer Mike: Adidas

7.       Ice Cube: You know How We Do

8.       DMX: Done Started Something

9.       Biggie Smalls: Dead Wrong

10.  Eminem: Bitch Please 2

11.  Cam'ron: 357

12.  Cam'ron: Down & Out

13.  Omarion: Entourage

14.  Mary J. Blige: Not Today

15.  Beyonce: Upgrade You

16.  Rich Boy: Throw Some D's RMX

17.  UNK: Walk It Out

18.  Young Jeezy: I luv It

19.  Young Buck: Walk With Me

20.  Peep Game: I Love It

21.  Jim Jones: Weatherman

22.  Ludacris: Mouths to feed

23.  The Game: One Night

24.  Jay-Z: Do You Wanna Ride

25.  Jackson 5: Maybe Tomorrow

26.  Ghostface: All I Got Is You

27.  Jade: Don't walk away

28.  TLC: Hat 2 The Back

29.  Zhane: Hey Mr. DJ

30.  Brandy: I wanna be down

Urban Hang Suite w/ Arlo Maverick

On CJSR FM88

January 27, 2007 Play list

1.   Ray Robinson: Because of you

2.   Ibo & Kindred: Raise I Consciousness

3.       Morgan Heritage: How Come

4.       Souljah Fyah: Abundance of Good

5.       Bob Marley: Slogans

6.       Culture Brown: Poor

7.       Buju Banton: Fast Lane

8.       Gyptian: Beautiful Lady

9.       Politic Live: Purification

10.  Clipse: Momma I'm Sorry

11.  Lil' Wayne: Stuntin' Like My Daddy

12.  Jay-Z: Trouble

13.  Nas: Let There Be Light

14.  K-Os: The Seekwill

15.  Jurassic 5: high Fidelity

16.  Swollen Members: Deep End

17.  Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek: Move Something

18.  Redman: Black Out

19.  Jada Kiss: They Ain't Ready

20.  Saukrates: Commin' Up

21.  Amil: For Da Fam

22.  Xzibit: X

23.  2Pac: Made Figga

24.  Snoop Dogg: Lay Low

25.  WC: The Streets RMX

26.  Spice 1: Murder Show

27.  Craig Mack: Get Down

28.  Craig Mack: Flava In Ya Ear

29.  Dr. Dre: Let Me Ride

30.  Red Man: Time 4 Sum Akshun

31.  Smif & Wessun: Let's Get It On

32.  Max Prime: Home Base

33.  Pharaoh Monch: Push

34.  Roots: What They Do

35.  Hi-Tek: Josephine

36.  Ghostface: All I Got Is You

37.  Jay-Z: Song Cry

38.  The Game: One Night

39.  Busta Rhymes: What's It Gonna Be

40.  Joe Budden: Whatever It Takes

41.  Rich Boy: Throw Some D's

42.  Young Cash: Believe Me

43.  Contraband: Sex and Papes

44.   Frank & Dank: Nice To Meet You

Urban Hang Suite w/ Arlo Maverick

On CJSR FM88

January 13, 2007 Play list

1.      K-Os: The Rain

2.      Mary J. Blige: Take Me As I Am

3.      Omarion: Ice Box

4.      Lloyd Banks: Survival

5.      Yak: Ballin' Outta Control Freestyle

6.      Jay-Z: Lost Ones

7.      Hi-Tek: Josephine

8.      Pharohe Monch: Push

9.      Lupe Fiasco: Intro

10. Joe Budden: Whatever It Takes

11. Mos Def: True Magic

12. G. Knight: Slave Style

13. Lyric 1: Real Rap

14. Talib Kweli: Fly That Knot

15. Grand Analog: I'll Walk Alone

16. K-Os: Fly paper

17. Emcee E: Bananas

18. Nas: Carry On Tradition

19. The Game: One Night

20. Politic Live: Travels With Akeem

21. Ludacris: Runaway Love

22. Angie Stone: Brotha

23. Natasha Waterman: The End

24. J. Naughty: Canadian Girl

25. Fat Joe: Make It Rain

26. Young Cash: Believe Me

27. Young Jeezy: I Luv It

28. K-Riz: Posted Up

29. Profane: It's On RMX

30. Max Prime: Home Base

31. Dragon Fli Empire: 1,2,3,4,5

32. Intricate Minds: Your Neighbourhood

33. Wordburglar: Butter Fly

34.  Shad: Rock To It

Urban Hang Suite w/ Arlo Maverick

Play List

January 6, 2007 ('06 Wrap Up)

1.      Ciara: Promise

2.      Lil' Wayne: Hustler Music

3.      Three 6 Mafia: Side 2 Side

4.      Classified: Find Out

5.      TI: Why You Wanna

6.      Rick Ross: Hustlin' RMX

7.      Omarion: Ice Box

8.      Ludacris: Money Maker

9.      K-Os: The Seekwill

10. John Legend: Stay

11. Young Joc: I know You See It

12. The Roots: Long Time

13. Lupe Fiasco: I Gotcha

14. Latoya: She Don't

15. Beenie Man: Hmmm Hmmm

16. Busta Rhymes: Touch It RMX

17. Ice Cube: Why We Thugs

18. Jim Jones: We Fly High

19.  Jay-Z: Show Me What You Got

20.  Talib Kweli: Listen

21.  Hi-Tek: Josephine

22.  Snoop Dogg: Dat's Dat Shit

23.  Mila J: Good Lookin Out

24.  Kanye West: Grammy Family

25. Cherish: Do It To It

26. Young Joc: It's Going Down

27. Jay-Z: Lost Ones

28. Clipse: Mr. Me Too

29. Baby Cham: Ghetto Story

30. The Game: Let's Ride

31. Omarion: Entourage

32. Ludacris: Grew Up…

33. Cassie: Me and U

34. Nas: Hip-Hop Is Dead

35. P. Diddy: Come To Me

36. Ciara: Get Up

37. Rick Ross: Push It

38. Tony Matteron: Dutty Wine

39. The Game: It's Okay

40. TI: What You Know

Urban Hang Suite w/ Arlo Maverick

Play List – Saturday November 25, 2006

1.      Jay-Z: Show Me What You Got

2.      The Game: Let's Ride

3.      Daz Dillinger: All I Need

4.      Snoop Dogg: That's That w/ R. Kelly

5.      Ice Cube: Cry Now

6.      Trick Daddy: Bet That w/ Chamillionaire

7.      Lil' Wayne: Stuntin Like My Daddy

8.      Ludacris: Grew Up A Screw Up w/ Young Jeezy

9.      Rick Ross: Push It

10. Lil' Scrappy: Money In The Bank w/ Young Buck

11. Young Buck: Four Kings w/ TI, Young Jeezy, and Pimp C

12. Lloyd Banks: Help w/ Keri Hilson

13. Politic Live: Enough w/ KreeSha Turner

14. Mic Little: Put It In A Letter w/ Neyo

15. Omarion: Ice Box

16. Sterling Simms: Jump Off w/ Sean Paul of the Young Bloods

17. Bobby Valentino: Turn the Page

18. Lloyd: You w/ Lil' Wayne

19. Akon: I Wanna Love You w/ Snoop Dogg

20. Ciara: Promise

21. Mary J. Blige: Take Me As I Am

22. Hot Rod: Be Easy w/ Mary J. Blige

23. Amerie: Take Control

24. P. Diddy: Come To Me

25. Kelis: Blind Fold w/ Nas

26. Nas: Hip-Hop Is Dead

27. Busta Rhymes: Been Through The Storm w/ Stevie Wonder

28. The Game: One Night

29. Jay-Z: Lost Ones

30. Touch: You Ain't

31. Word Burglar: Butter Fly

32. Classified: Find Out

33. Shad: Music Is the Muscle

34. The Roots: Long Time w/ Peedi Crack

35. Grand Analog: I'll Walk Alone

36. Hi-Tek: Country Cousins w/ UGK

37. Ludacris: War With God

38. Fatty Jones: That Guy

The Game: Doctor's Advocate

Of all the hip-hop albums that will come out in the fourth quarter of 2006, Doctor's Advocate is arguably the most anticipated.  After The Game's very public beef with his former music alliance G-Unit, many began to question if The Game could do it without the help of multi-platinum artist 50 Cent. 

Then came the news that The Game was being dropped by Dr. Dre from Aftermath for continuing to pursue his beef with "G-UNOT"!!!!  Looking at the components of what helped make his debut, The Documentary, successful the odds seemed to be against The Game.  50 had taken credit for writing The Game's lyrics and hooks, and Dr. Dre laced The Game with the beat for his first hit single "How We Do". 

           To many people's surprise even without a single Dr. Dre beat, the Doctor's Advocate sonically bangs more than his debut.  With the help of Just Blaze, Will I.Am, Daz Dillinger, and others, The Game has the perfect underscore for his "cocaine flow".  Teaming up with a variety of producers has added a pleasant texture that helps separate Doctor's Advocate from his debut album.  All hip-hop regions because of the multi-coastal beat smiths appearing on Doctor's Advocate can appreciate the album  

         However, The Game's Achilles heel continues to be his need to name-drop almost every two bars.  Although it has been toned down since The Documentary, it's still noticeable enough that it feels like an awkward interruption when you hear "50 Cent", "Dr. Dre" or "Eazy-E" nearly every minute. 

Lyrically The Game gives a stellar performance on "One Night", where The Game confronts friends who turned their backs on him since his success.  On the album's title-track, The Game proves to be more than a street thug as he pens an apologetic explanation to Dr. Dre as to why he could not drop his beef with 50 Cent.  The track is remarkable in the sense that the macho rapper humbles himself when addressing his mentor without coming off as weak.

Overall the Doctor's Advocate fails to cover much new lyrical territory. Much of the songs that appear on The Game's sophomore sound like updated songs of what would have appeared on The Documentary.  With the exception of "Ol' English", "Doctor's Advocate", and the contagious lead single "One Blood", much of the songs could serve as bonus material from The Game's debut.

But despite a few missteps The Game has delivered under pressure.  With a humungous cloud of doubt hovering over him as to whether 50 Cent "made him", The Game has strategically put together an album that has the right producers, the right guest features and enough heat to hold your interest for it's 73:26 minute duration.  Still carrying the west coast on his back, The Game has delivered an album that aids in the return of hip-hop's most dormant coast.   

Jay-Z: Kingdom Come

Self-proclaimed "CEO of Hip-Hop" Jay-Z has returned from what he called a three-year retirement.  A retirement that included guest appearances on almost every hit record released by the label he was hired on to be the president of – go figure. 

Now for Jay-Z fans, Kingdom Come is almost guaranteed to disappoint as it fails to live up to its hype.  Following the same formula of Volume 3: Life and Times of S. Carter, Kingdom Come is littered with ultra pop hip-hop songs with a few treats for Jay-Z purists to snack on. 

Moving in a more pop direction, Kingdom Come is confusing as President Carter comes off as rookie trying to find himself.  The wit is present, the flows are intact, but his message and intended market is often unclear.  It seems the hat of hustler, lover, and CEO have affected Jay-Z's once praised lyrical gift.

As opposed to collaborating with MC's of his caliber, Jay-Z clutters his return with pop-R&B features that show little chemistry and come off as amateur.  Although we've heard enough Jay-Z and Beyonce collaborations in the last three years to last a lifetime, we are punished with the cringe-worthy "Hollywood".  The song sounds like something that didn't make the cut for the last Destiny's Child album.   

But Kingdom Come is not a complete write-off.  Songs like "Lost Ones", and "30 Something" save what would have been a complete disaster.  The latter, which is produced by D. Dre, is a creative song that shows Jay-Z distancing himself from hip-hop's new jacks by claiming 30 to be the new 20. 

But the album's highlight without doubt "Minority Report" where Jay-Z looks at how the US government failed those in the Katrina crisis.  The song is vivid third-person picturization of families struggling during the week of devastation.  Going further than a mere blame game, Jay-Z admits he did very little on his part to help out as well. 

But regardless of these brief highlights even the Jay-Z fanatics will most likely find Kingdom Come a hard listen.  Often comparing himself to Michael Jordan, Jay-Z has personified his greatest simile by coming back to the rap game rusty with bum knees. 

FINALLY!!!

Yesterday I got an e-mail from New Music West.  It was an invitation for my group Politic Live to play at the Festival, which we obviously said yes to.  While we've had the unfortunate set back of our album being delayed, we've had many other blessings this year and this is one of them. 

We've applied 3 years in a row and weren't accepted, but we finally cracked the code.  While we've had a successful three year acceptance from Canadian Music Week in Toronto, this is huge because of the journey. 

CMW's in March, NMW in April, Lord Willin' NXNE in June. 

Welcome to Planet Maverick.

Politic Live @ the Cellar Nightclub (1006 Granville Street)
Wednesday April 26, 2006
Vancouver, BC