VH1 Hip Hop Honors & Top 100

VH1 unveiled it's 100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs list recently and it's created quite the uproar amongst music fans. Coming in at #1 is the video pictured above. Public Enemy's "Fight the Power" is a political rap about challenging the system, and it has stood the test of time. Speaking of time, it also features crazy rap star, Flavor Flav, wearing a huge timepiece around his neck, which is his longtime trademark. Is it possible Flav's rap group took the prize due to his celebrity status on the VH1 Love Reality circuit? Rounding out the top 5 were the always classic, Rapper's Delight by Sugarhill Gang. Nuthin' But a G Thang by Dre & Snoop, Walk this Way by Run DMC and The Message by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five. What may be stirring controversy is the selection of Beastie Boys' "Hold It Now Hit It" which doesn't seem to have the same effect as other hits like "Fight For Your Right" and "Whatcha Want?" but then again, VH1 wasn't always playing rap videos on its channel. Diddy's "All About the Benjamins" also made the cut, ahead of legends like Nas, the Geto Boys and De La Soul. You can view videos of the videos here at VH1.com VH1 the TV channel will be airing its Hip Hop Honors show tonight. Each year VH1 which somehow became a hip hop source over the years, picks out several rap stars to honor. This years honorees include Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Naughty By Nature, Slick Rick and Too $hort. All of the aforementioned have important spots in hip-hop, widening the genre to different listeners. Of the honorees I'd pick De La as one of the most creative and influential, but Slick Rick is definitely a very close second. The Annual Hip Hop Honors show airs on Monday, October 6 at 10 pm ET. with Tracy Morgan hosting the show. Full VH1.com coverage of Hip Hop Honors

EW's Top 100 Albums Since 1983

Entertainment Weekly's recent issue published a comprehensive list of the Top 100 Albums released since 1983. Amongst the top 100 are plenty of hip hop offerings, including classics like Tribe Called Quest's "Low End Theory", De La Soul's "3 Feet High & Rising", Jay-Z's "Blueprint" and Eminem's "Marshall Mathers LP". Here's a look at the Top 25. 1. Purple Rain Prince and the Revolution (1984) 2. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill Lauryn Hill (1998) 3. Achtung Baby U2 (1991) 4. The College Dropout Kanye West (2004) 5. Madonna Madonna (1983) 6. American Idiot Green Day (2004) 7. The Blueprint Jay-Z (2001) 8. Graceland Paul Simon (1986) 9. Back to Black Amy Winehouse (2007) 10. In Rainbows Radiohead (2007) 11. MTV Unplugged in New York Nirvana (1994) 12. Stankonia OutKast (2000) 13. You Are Free Cat Power (2003) 14. Disintegration The Cure (1989) 15. The Marshall Mathers LP Eminem (2000) 16. Rain Dogs Tom Waits (1985) 17. Odelay Beck (1996) 18. People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm A Tribe Called Quest (1990) 19. Dangerously in Love Beyoncé (2003) 20. Tidal Fiona Apple (1996) 21. The Emancipation of Mimi Mariah Carey (2005) 22. 3 Feet High and Rising De La Soul (1989) 23. The Soft Bulletin The Flaming Lips (1999) 24. Come On Over Shania Twain (1997) 25. Turn On the Bright Lights Interpol (2002) Get a full look at the EW Top 100 albums in the past 25 years here. Looking over the top 25, it's interesting to see the Tribe album chosen was not "Low End Theory", which many fans will debate is their best contribution to the genre, and helped ignite many music fans' love for rap. As for Outkast, "Stankonia" is a great album which includes the tracks "Ms Jackson" and "BOB", but I'd propose the "Atlienz" album as their best work. It includes a spaced-out theme and feel with lots of deep, introspective tracks. Kanye West ranks very high with his debut album, while Mariah Carey may surprise some with her comeback album "The Emancipation of Mimi". Notably missing are 2PAC, BIG and Public Enemy as well... Beyonce also ranks high on the list, but then again it's Entertainment Weekly, not Rolling Stone who compiled the list.

The 2008 Rock the Bells Tour

This year's summer concerts in hip hop not only include Kanye West's Glow in the Dark tour and the Jay-Z/Mary J Blige "Heart of the City" tour, but also the star-studded "2008 Rock the Bells" tour. The concerts had a great turnout last year in New York and Cali locations. This year's concert lineup includes everyone from hip hop pioneer Rakim to Native Tongue groups De La Soul and Tribe called Quest, as well as newer acts like Nas, Redman and Wu-Tang members. Here's more about the concert from the official website: GUERILLA UNION TEAMS WITH MYSPACE TO ANNOUNCE PERFORMERS AND ROUTING OF THE LEADING HIP-HOP FESTIVAL SERIES TODAY AT ALL-STAR PRESS CONFERENCE AND SECRET SHOW 2008 ROCK THE BELLS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL SERIES POWERED BY SANDISK LINE-UP RELEASED HEADLINERS INCLUDE A TRIBE CALLED QUEST, NAS, MOS DEF, DE LA SOUL, RAKIM AND REUNITED SPECIAL GUESTS THE PHARCYDE WITH ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES BY SPANK ROCK, SANTOGOLD, KID SISTER, JAY ELECTRONICA AND MANY MORE! Featuring performances by A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, Mos Def, De La Soul, Rakim, Method Man & Redman, Raekwon & Ghostface (Cuban Linx), Immortal Technique, Dead Prez, Murs and Kidz In The Hall, the ROCK THE BELLS 2008 INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL SERIES POWERED BY SANDISK once again is marked by the leading hip-hop line-up seen on one bill this year. This year will be highlighted with an unexpected reunion of The Pharcyde. But it does not stop there, as fans will also see performances by the brightest names in the emerging electro-hip hop scene including Spank Rock, Santogold, Kid Sister, Wale, Flosstradamus, Jay Electronica and The Cool Kids with hosts B-Real of Cypress Hill and the world renowned Supernatural. This concert is well worth the price of admission with all of the acts you'll get to see. Tickets went on sale for Denver and Los Angeles as of May 10th, with more to come. Los Angeles Tickets Denver tickets Rock the Bells official website You can also read an LA Times Preview from 2/22/08 here.

Top 20 Rap Albums All Time

Here's my top 20 rap albums of all time...Ranked in terms of their impact upon me and my love for the music.. 1) "Licensed to Ill" - Beastie Boys - The rock/rap crossover appeal lured me in, and I was hooked for good 2) "Raising Hell" - RUN DMC - Wow I can remember playing this tape over and over in my walkman on trips with my parents..I bet they wish I never got a walkman ;) 3) "The Low End Theory" - A Tribe Called Quest - This tape and group is what really got me into rap, their style was so unique and varied and the beats were full of soulful bass and horns, strings and just good stuff. 4) "Death Certificate" - Ice Cube - Another one I listened to quite a bit. Yes it was gangsta, and violent and full of racist ideas and suggestions, but its an eye opener for sure. 5) "De La Soul is Dead" - De La Soul - Another group like Tribe who really fueled my love for rap. Their creativity is unparalleled and this concept tape was amazing. 6) "The Chronic" -Dr Dre - Another one that along with Ice Cube really got me into that gangsta westcoast scene. 7) "Paid in Full" - Eric B & Rakim - Most people know this has to be in a top 10 for greatest rap albums. I bought it later than sooner (like 1997) but even so I recognize its major importance to the genre. 8) "Straight Outta Compton" - N.W.A. More gangsta, got this album late too, but I knew it had to be part of my collection. 9) "Illmatic" - Nas - My alltime favorite rapper with his 1st debut album, and a definite classic 10) "Reasonable Doubt"/"Black Album" (tie) - Jay Z - Very hard to call this one, one album marked the start of a great career, the other was the "supposed"end. But both are extremely introspective & deep. 11) "Ready to DIE" - BIG - RIP to one of the all time greatest, baby baby. 12) "Enter the 36 Chambers" - Wu Tang Clan- I remember first getting my hands on this from my roommate at UCONN and loving the rawness of the combined talents of this group..amazing style. 13) "The Infamous" - Mobb Deep - I remember the hype that built up before this release dropped, and it definitely lived up to it..It sure bumped the bass out of our 81' Corolla ;) 14) "Fear of a Black Planet" - Public Enemy the rap revolutionaries..Another group with alot to say. 15) "The College Dropout" - Kanye West - This really should be higher because it has so much meaning to me, just the concept of Kanye's career and what he's come through to get where he is. 16) "93 Til Infinity" - Souls of Mischief - These guys were interesting, because they came from the West Coast but had a nitty gritty underground style,like the Native Tongues..fresh. 17)"The Fix" - Scarface - I used to listen to this album over and over while driving for a job I had, it was rare at the time because there wasnt many good rap albums out..but this one is solid start to finish. 18)"Me Against the World" - 2PAC - An all time rap top 20 list needs to include BIG & Pac, two of rap's finest. This album's title track is legendary. 19) "The Score" - The Fugees - Classic hip hop, soulful singing, reggae and rap all in one. 20) "Can I Borrow a Dollar?" - Common Sense - This one will surprise people, but I remember getting his tape off a recommend buy in "Source" magazine. And it mesmerized me in my walkman, because the style was just so off base and out there..and now, hes one of my top 3 faves, all time. (Honorable mentions: EPMD - Business as Usual or Business Never Personal, Eminem - Marshall Mathers LP, Redman - Whut? Thee Album, Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions, LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out)