SOUPERBOWL SUNDAY-N.F.L.

TRACK NAME:N.F.L. AKA WIDE RECEIVER
PRODUCED BY:TC DA DON
FAVORITE BAR:THE WHOLE SONG!!! (NO, I'M FOR REAL-THE WHOLE SONG)

What's brewing soup troopers? We have just got to the "essence" of the album. N.F.L. is probally my second favorite song I've ever written. I have to thank God for this one, even if i don't win a grammy for it. When i wrote this track, i had a hard time debating on the name being either N.F.L. (because i use all the teams of the n.f.l. and the track is about not giving up and getting up when you fall -hence "never fall long") or wide receiver (because i'm trying to talk to people "far away" and get them to "receive' my lyrics). So, i did the logical thing and used both names. Sometimes, I'll call the track one thing and someone may be like "Which track is that?". Lol! Tc da don is such a passionate producer. It really makes me upset that i didn't get to have more of his production on the album but i got him on the next project though (POST GAME SHOW?????). He really worked hard on this track and it shows, because this is one of the most memorable tracks for the fans. I think our styles really mesh well on this project. This track has been featured on numerous mixtapes-from NYC to Alabama-shout out microphone bully!!! When people hear this song, i want them to feel and see the time i put into this and the album. I truly feel like this song brings back fun to hip hop. I'm praying that i can get this track on placement for madden or ESPN. So, if you want to put in a good word for me...buy the album and bump this song to all your friends! LOL! So, what are your thoughts on the track? Do you think it's lyrical? Do you think it's corny? Is it a banger? Could you see this on madden? I want to read your thoughts. Subscribe and post your thoughts for the world to see. Well remember to share this with your family, friends and enemies. Spread the Soup!

CHICAN'S CHOICE-B.C. the Marksman-Live it Right

"CHICAN'S CHOICE-BC THE MARKSMAN-LIVE IT RIGHT"

RATING SYSTEM:
TWO SPOONS DOWN-"THIS IS SO WRONG!!!"
ONE SPOON UP-NICE WATCH
TWO SPOONS UP-HOT!!!
TWO SPOONS AND A BOWL-A CLASSIC IN THE BREWING!!!

RATING:
VIDEO CONCEPT: ONE SPOONS UP
VIDEO CREATIVITY:TWO SPOON UP
VIDEO QUALITY: TWO SPOONS UP
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: 0:45, 1:09, 1:29
CHICAN CAUGHT IT:1:15-POWERFUL SYMBOLISM ON THE BAR OF "...BUT NOW IT'S COMMITMENT", B.C. QUICKLY POINTS AND FLASHES HIS WEDDING BAND-INDICATING A TRIPLE ENTENDRE OF BEING MARRIED TO GOD, HIS WIFE AND THE RAP GAME.

B.C. the marksman is aiming high with this powerful song and video. I have to first tell you...I'm a sucker for black and white videos. I think he made a excellent choice of going with black and white in the video, to bring out the more grimier and darker edge of the video and lyrics. The concept is simple, yet it works. We see so many artists using their streets and depending on b roll to carry them through the video, but B.C. does a great job of actually highlighting his streets as a "journey". I feel the few spots of color we view in the video are at precise points in the video. The "color" points indicate where his emotions were really high and were key life changing points shown in the video. As far as the concept, sometimes less is better.

The creativity of this video is so clever. B.C. is a great marksman of wordplay and puns and it shows on this video. There are so many hints of symbolism throughout this video, you got to watch it at least three times to see everything. The key highlights of the video are just a couple of great symbolic points in the video. (DISCLAIMER-THIS NEXT LINE IS NOT A DISS)This is what i like to see when You don't have a big budget for a video. There are so many "fly" references dealing with birds, planes and football stadiums (yea, i caught that too) that you can go crazy. My "chican caught that" moment shows us how "slick" B.C. is. LOL! It's also cool to see the bridge scenes. As he travels on the on the "bridge" and gets closer to the other side-we see the "slide" from darkness to the light (on the other side lol). In the end, this video makes me what to "live it right", so i guess B.C. did hit the mark!

Overall, this is a great video! This song really has me ready to hear his CD coming out this year. B.C. just allowed the video to be downloaded from itunes (for free), so you can show some support by grabbing it from there. You can also check B.C. out on twitter at @bcthemarksman or his website http://bcthemarksman.wordpress.com/ . So, do you think the video hit the mark or not? Does the video make you want to live it right or did he just go wrong? Tell me why or why not and make sure you share this review with your family, friends and enemies. Spread the soup!

SOUPERBOWL SUNDAY-THE KICK OFF (CAN I)

Track Name:The kick off (Can I)
Produced by: Constantine The Emcee
Favorite bar:"The music set the mood like Joe budden"

What's brewing soup troopers? So, i hear from majority of my fans, that this track is the most "hip hop feel" on the album. Well, that;s because it was produced by Constantine the emcee. He is probally the best emcees i know, plus he keeps it old school. I know a lot of artists that keep it old school in their lyrics and productions and come off stale or dated, but Constantine the emcee is crafted at what he does-his style works for him. He actually thought his style wouldn't fit the album and almost didn't provide a track for the album. We debated over several beats to use for this track and felt that his track fit it perfectly.I love him as a producer, artist and engineer.

As far as the writing goes for the track, it was really fun. A little known fact-this was actually supposed to be the first song on the album. I'm so glad Constantine help me to decide to put it later, plus now if flows as far as breaking the album down in "quarters". The first couple of tracks are the "pre show" tracks and right here on "the kickoff" is where the game actually begins. This is one of the few songs where i change my flow up-just a little though lol! So, i made the chorus as a ode to the essence of hip hop-going old school!!!!

I really want to know what the hip hop heads think of this track. I want to hear your feedback. How does the track sound to you? Either way, I want to know your thoughts on the track. For the one's who don't like hip hop, how did it make it feel? Well, we're half way through the album, so if you been going through all the commentaries so far, how are you feeling the album? So much i want to know from you all!!! lol! spread the soup

CHICAN'S CHOICE-MOSES UVERE-HEART CONDITION

ARTIST:MOSES UVERE
ALBUM NAME: HEART CONDITION
RATING SYSTEM:
Two spoons down-"Why are you making people listen to this?"
One spoon up-Good listen
Two spoons up-Hot!!!
Two spoons and a bowl-a classic in the brewing!!!
I have been eagerly waiting for a artist to have the ability to mix rap and rock together effectively. I believe i may have found the spokesman for the people...Moses uvere. This Dallas,Texas artist really surprised me. He didn't sound like your typical Texas artist (disclaimer-I'm not dissing the south or Texas artists-i was actually born in Houston). For "Heart condition", this album/ep to only have 6 songs (and one bonus song), Moses makes sure that there is a lot of content to take in. Nothing is crammed or forced in this personal transparent book of the life of Moses Uvere. Moses gives a feel between early grunge sound with swagged out lyrics. However, he has excellent story telling skills!I would honestly put him up there with the greats like Naz. If you don't believe me...then listen to "It's ok" and see if it changes your mind. Speaking of "It's ok", it's my second favorite track on the cd. Third, would be "open my phone" and first would be "fighting for more". Overall, this album gets two spoons up.You can find moses Uvere on facebook and twitter and also on his website http://www.mosesuvere.com. I can honestly say after listening to this album, Moses has led me to the promised land of mad skills and hotness. Check out the review:



Welcome-Lyrics:2 spoons up Beat:one spoon Favorite bar:" See I remember way back we were sporting dirty wave caps, cause our moms couldn't cut hair or fade that" My favorite bar is the first thing you hear from this song and it just hooks you in from the beginning. It's a track of Moses reminiscing on his childhood and he makes it so clear and vivid-i feel like i was there. I can just ride in my car and just vibe out. I only have two problems with the track-which aren't really problems, but more of opportunities. First, i felt like i wanted to hear more keys or guitar throughout the verse. I like when the guitar kicks through in the middle of the verse, but i wanted to hear more. I understand on a storytelling track like this, the artist wouldn't want the music to overpower the vocals and focus on the lyrics-but those keys were so eerily good and i wanted to hear more. Secondly, I wanted the vocalist to have more in the chorus or throughout the song. He has a great voice! I can truly see this song finding placement on a movie. It captures the essence of being young and finding your way through life. Hey moses, i had Master P's "da last don" album too! Lol!

Open my phone-Lyrics:2 spoons Beat:2 spoons Favorite bar: You plus me equals more separation" I love this song! The lyrics and the beat mesh so well together! Moses's flow is so flawless on this track. I love the message behind the song. Everyone has gone through a "lust versus love" relationship. Moses really lives up to the theme of the album and keeps it personal and vivid on this track. Make sure you notice the effects he uses on the chorus to bring out the theme of the song. This truly is one of the best songs on the album and should go down as one of moses's best songs ever.

It's okay-Lyrics:2 spoons and a bowl Beat:2 spoons and a bowl Favorite bar (tie):"Now I'm running out the door and my feet all muddy/my moms starts yelling get back in the house honey" "you know it's degrading showing up on Monday wearing the same clothes you wore on Sunday"The transparency in this track is jaw dropping! This track has a perfect blend of sadness and triumph. The verses scream a life living in hell, but the chorus shines a heavenly hope. I feel that a video is definitely needed for this track.

Fly-Lyrics:2 spoons Beat:2 spoons Favorite bar:"I'm tearing up my city like John Hancock"I was waiting on a track where he was going to rock out on. This track is a good balance on the album. Moses shows his lyrical side on this track. It has a great party feel. I can see this track being a key performance track when he's doing shows. His cadence is nice on it as well.

Fighting for more-Lyrics:2 spoons and a bowl Beat: 2 spoons
favorite bar:"It's your time, but we waste it on getting wasted"This track is the essence of the album. This song literally sounds like the heart of man is talking about how it feels (it's condition) of life. This song explores the inner soul. This song also puts me in the mind of kanye West's song (and flow) "all falls down" with a more spiritual view.

Clean Air-Lyrics:2 spoons Beat:2 spoons Favorite bar:"I'm going weary cause clearly I'm not a star" (he's from Texas)The beat gives me a feel of summer breeze. Moses is very good on picking tracks that suit him. My favorite bar in this song is one of the best double entendres I've heard in a long time.

Needing you-Lyrics:2 spoon Beat:2 spoons Favorite bar:"I'm living like a dead man with a dead plan that's gong to die"
I think this is a good track to end the album with. It goes back to the theme of the album of choosing in your heart what decision you wantto make in your life. I love the last verse when the drums come in on the last verse. Moses flips his cadence to a double time flow and sounds nice doing it.

So what's your thoughts? Do you feel that Moses goes down as one of the greatest story tellers on wax? Did he give a great visual of the "heart condition"? Did his style mix well with rock? Give me your thoughts good or bad and remember...spread the soup!

Movement mentality vs. Monument mentality

What's brewing soup troopers? This "soup" is inspired from a conversation i had with tig knight (a filmmaker from Birmingham, Alabama-check out his work at www.november14th.ning.com) and were talking about advancing our "movements" that we are doing. My movement is considered the "GO" movement aka "go mode" (i can elabarote on it on another blog). He made a comment about being the "martin luther king" of filmmakers in Birmingham. I can honestly say that tig knight is making a movement with his way of shooting film (shameless plug-he didn't ask for it though lol), but i can't speak for everyone else that uses that word. With the MLK holiday around the corner, I started thinking about how we use the word "movement" and if we are using it right and actually living up to what it means.

Movement has two key definitions. First, let's go to the root word and look up what the word "move" means. Move means to pass from one place to another. A better definition is that it means to advance or progress. The first definition of movement is the act, process or result of moving. The second one is a group of people with a common ideology, whether political or religious come together for a cause. We can all say that Martin luther king came correct with the concept of a "Movement". He wanted people to progress and advance. He had a political and religious theme with common people with his movement. WITH ALL THAT BEING ESTABLISHED-WHY DO WE USE THIS WORD "MOVEMENT" IN VAIN?

I hear so many people saying that they have a "movement", but they are not progressing or advancing!!!! They have bad attitudes and are not focused on nothing but advancing themselves. A movement eventually has people as a part of it....where are your common followers of your movement? How is your "movement" impacting the lives of others? Is your "movement" even impacting anyone? I'll tell you why so many "movements" are at a stop sign...because they are actually having a monument mentality.

A monument is something erected in memory of a person, event, etc., as a building, pillar, or statue. With all that being said-grab your spoons for this soup-some of us are following the monument of a idea then the actual movement of it. Here goes a religious aspect of movement vs. monument example-some churches use their physical buildings as a monument for Christ,but don't even follow the movement of what he did and accomplished. It's so sad to see empty crosses throughout a church, yet no one is ready to sacrifice their life for the gospel. Some churches have alters that say "Do this in remembrance of me" (monument) and they really don't even follow the movement of fellowship and love for all brothers and sisters.

On a political side of movement mentality vs. monument mentality is MLK day. I know so many African Americans that say they love MLK for his "I have the dream" speech, but still hate whites for what they done in the past. How can you celebrate about a man who spoke on non violence, but all you rap about is killing and selling drugs? You got caught up in the monument/idea and not the movement.

I'm not saying that monuments are bad, but we shouldn't idolize them. We shouldn't be caught up with making a "statue" of a good or inspiring idea and admiring it, that we forget why god even gave it to us. When you have a monument mentality...your being lazy and slothful. You can't just sell a couple of cds to your FRIENDS and think you got a movement started.You can't ride the coat tail of someone's movement and not do anything, because all you are is a statue (monument). The funny thing about that is...STATUES DON'T MOVE! I pray that this soup breaks monument mentalities and people really start movements. Remember-this is a movement...so you better move! Spread the soup!

4th Quarter Official Video

CHICAN’S CHOICE- TWICEBORN’S “4TH QUARTER” VIDEO REVIEW”

RATING SYSTEM:
Two spoons down: I can’t watch this!!!!
one spoon up: Nice watch
Two spoons up: Hot!!!
Two spoons up and a bowl: A classic is in the brewing!!!

RATING:
Video Concept: 2 spoons up
Video Creativity: 2 spoons up
Video Quality: 2 spoons up
Overall: 2 spoons up
Video highlights: O:11, 1:53, 2:23
CHICAN CAUGHT IT:0:42-girl to the left of twiceborn’s face-priceless! lol!
When i first heard of the track “4th quarter”, i was very interested. I did a whole album centered around football (really wasn’t trying to do a shameless plug lol) and really wanted to hear him bring it. It was a hit. Twiceborn’s “4th quarter” is featured in Higher ground’s record pool as the 18th track for the month of December. I was really feeling the angle that he used, so when i heard that he was making a video for the song-i was waiting on the “game day”. The video is actually directed by Di’Marco “Twiceborn” Baskin and shot by V & B cinema. The concept of the video is hot. Twiceborn is getting his team/the saints ready for the fourth quarter/final days. What i find is the key point to the creativity is the fact that his team, fans and “recruits” all have sanctified minds shirts/jerseys. The key player of this video is the ref. I’m guessing he represented God in the video. I will say this about him....he is the most serious ref i have ever seen in my life!LOL! He really added flavor to the video. The only downside of the video is the stand shots for not having a full audience. However, according to twiceborn, some of the cast couldn’t make it out for the shoot that day. I guess you will make it up on the next video i review from the “4th quarter” project? LOL! On the final note, this really was a great video. Not just because of the concept, but how twiceborn was able to get his own friends and family in the video to help bring fourth his vision. Get that ref to crack a smile! #Spreadthesoup

SOUPERBOWL SUNDAY-SOUPERBOWL SUNDAY

Track name: Souperbowl Sunday
Produced by: Qaz of s.w.a.t.team productions/ G.T.M. Beats
Favorite bar: I'll stop murder,I'll stop perversion/that's what i call a two point conversion

I loved recording this track. I wanted to make it funny, yet serious. I knew with it being the title track, it had to be special. I wanted Constantine the emcee to be the other voice of the announcer (you do know i was righteous rufus....right?), but he had a better idea...Thed Weller. Thed Weller is a Birmingham, AL emcee that is known for his comedic side. I'm a fan and was honored to have him on the track. I truly believe thed did a great job. The funny thing about it-we weren't in the studio at the same time. It was weird, because i had to lay my part down like i was arguing with myself!LOL! I really have to commend Thed for coming in and making my rambling rant sound good. LOL! I really love how qaz made the beat change every 8 bars. It's supposed to have a calm feel with the commentators and crunker when i actually begin rapping. I also thank constantine the emcee for placing this track at the right spot to give a good end to the "pre show" of the album and leading into the actual "game" of the album. So, what's your thoughts? Do you like the way thed and i ranted back and forth with each other? Do you like the feel of the song? Do you think the track created the feel of the song? Do you think it was just down right corny? I want to hear your thoughts? Make sure your spreading the soup and checking out all of the other tracks and commentaries. Thanks and once again...spread the soup!