Frank Ocean Swim Good

With features on Watch the Throne and plenty of Mixtape material, Frank Ocean is having quite the year. Finally, an official label ( Island Def Jam) visual for one of the stand out tracks from Nostalgia/Ultra. Let me know what you think.

No More Beef?

I have been pondering this for a while. It seems like competition between rappers, beef, battling or whatever you wanna call it is all but dead. Nowadays you are lucky to see a Twitter beef go longer than a week. Though I support the supposed unity between rappers, I miss the competition and the great music created from these heated exchanges. I think we need another one of these to restore some interest. As Wale mentioned in a recent interview and Mixtape About Nothing's "The Perfect Plan" maybe people aren't listening as much or the same way.

Now I'm not asking for something as personal as Nas/Jay-Z battle, but history has taught us that getting personal creates the best material. There's emotion behind it, not just the pursuit of money. I liked the Game/50 cent beef when it began. They weren't holding back. Eminem against (insert rapper name here) was great. Though I'm glad Em has found peace and sobriety I miss the drug-fueled Slim Shady.

Even when rappers try, their heart isn't in it. They get bored. Look how lazy and uninspired that Rick Ross/50 Cent battle was. If a rapper can't be inspired to defend their credibility against another rapper, how can a fan believe you are passionate about making great music. Does financial success have to bring about passionless music?

Rap seemed more exciting and it gave fans something to unite around. I remember sitting in homeroom talking to my friends about the new Jay-Z/Nas diss that dropped on Hot 97 last night. Don't get me wrong now. There are a lot of great artists to listen to out there, I just want to take it back to the essence. A real rap battle. Two artists spitting their best lyrics for bragging rights and respect. I don't want to see violence just competition, hunger. Isn't it time for another "The Bridge Is Over? Or "No Vaseline" What would make a good battle? Drake vs. J.Cole? Wayne vs. Jay? (no more subliminal shots). Who would you like to see go at it? Does beef have to equal career suicide of violence? Is it possible for it to just stay on wax?