When I received this track several months back I was told, A.) “You BETTER not leak this until I give you the green light”, and B.) “This is going to be a huge club record.” While I agree with the latter, I know the mainstream was never really THAT crazy over Swizzy Swizzy rocking the mic like our favorite MC’s today. Regardless of what people thought, Swizz always knew how to have fun his own way.

Judging by the magnitude of his last two leaks, we can safely assume Swizzy is gearing up for his third solo LP. Life After The Party, which hasn’t snatched a release date or boasted any information of guest features, might be Swizzy’s “party” project. I mean, the first leak, “Get Loose” featuring the party starter himself, Fatman Scoop, suggests, well….WE GET LOOSE. And now, Swizzy kidnapped Lil Weezy on his way to the club and did it again.

Swizz Beatz ft. Lil Wayne- Up In This Club

Like it, Love it, or Leave It????????

Sincerely

Low “Stand clear of me when you this song comes on in club” Key

I’m not sure where this derives from, but it sounds like it could be a warm up single to a new Swizzy album coming in the latter part of 2009. Hopefully the next time I’m in a club standing on a couch, this will be one of the tunes in rotation, thus giving me the green light to blurtout “LOOK AT HONEY IN THE PINK, I THINK SHE LIKE ME”.

Swizz Beatz ft. Fatman Scoop- Get Loose 

Like It, Love It or Leave It????

Sincerely

Low “I’m just chilling at my desk bloggin, I’m just chillin at my desk bloggin” Key

And then it happened; it was RELEASED….and, dare I say, I liked it. I can’t, nor will I try, to convince you this is the best remix of ‘08. However, the All-Star line up did entice me (Flashback to Craig Mack’s, “Flava In Ya Remix”). Regardless of how much I like the song, I still can’t stand the original version. Sorry Busta! Anyway, enjoy this Thanksgiving treat while I head upstairs to devour everything and anything that comes within arms length.

Busta Rhymes ft. Diddy, Ron Browz, Swizz Beatz, T-Pain, Akon and Lil Wayne- Arab Money |Rmx|

Like it, Love it or Leave it???

Sincerely

Low “After dinner I will start my quest for what the hell the chorus means” Key

Fortunately, I have the type of job where if I find out about an event the day of, there’s a 90 % chance I’ll find a way to attend, and T.I.’s, Paper Trail Album release concert was a prime example. Oddly enough, I was told by someone that the performance was last week, but my industry gut told me to check other sources. Sure enough, the show was less than 3 hours away. Ready, set, SCRAMBLE! I hopped on my BB and sent out an S.O.S to everyone and anyone. 20 minutes later, Mission: Accomplished.

I landed on 16 and 9th about 30 minutes after the doors were set to open, and unfortunately I was greeted by this absurd line that wrapped around the block. From a birds eye view, it sort of looked like a python; moving extremely slow through a grassy knoll. Once again, Somwya, who surprisingly, hates lines more than I do, went straight to the front. While she continued to spew fire into the ear of one of venue’s security officers, my man Niles, who’s also Maino’s tour DJ, informed us when Hot 97’s Bobby Trends arrives, we’ll just go in with him. 15 minutes later, Trends touches down and our access is granted!

Extremely intimate, the Highline Ballroom was smaller than expected. Paper Trail promo posters were plastered across the bars and railings, upstairs and down. Cipha Sounds kept the crowed entertained before Maino, the opening act, hit the stage. While the audience seemed stiff at first, Cipha’s musical selection easily broke the ice. For a split second, it seemed as though the NYPD was on the verge of shutting down the concert judging by Cipha’s commentary. “Chill yall, chill the NYPD is in the building” Cipha yelled. An obvious joke, Ciph then segued into Wayne’s, “Ms Officer”. He screamed to the fellas “The only time you should be talking to a cop is if you’re f@cking her”. SMH!

Maino took to the stage with as much energy as he could. The Hood DvD star performed several cuts from his album and his remix verse from Shawty Lo’s, “Dey Know”. The big homey, Sha Reid from MTV leaned over and asked,”How he gonna perform a Shawty Lo song at a T.I. show”….my thoughts exactly, Sha. While Maino and Niles were doing there thing onstage, Sha told me about the ruckus President Carter caused outside. Huh, Jay’s here?!!?!…..ahhhhh sh@t!

Maino wrapped his set with “Hi Hater”, the tune responsible for his new found popularity and slid off stage. Grand Hustle’s personnel flooded the stage by the dozen which meant T.I. wasn’t too far behind. “Uh oh, T.I.’s manager, Jason Geter, is on stage ya’ll. You know Tip’s in the building somewhere”, Cipha asserted. As DJ Drama set up his equipment in the DJ booth, Somwya asked in a curious tone, “Is that a Winnie The Pooh sticker on Drama’s laptop?”. Unsure, we assumed it was and kept diddy bopping to whatever was coming out the speakers. Shortly after, Angie Martinez from Hot 97 barked on Drama for holding up the festivities,.

Sporting a back ATL fitted, a black jacket to match his AKOO Tee-shirt, ATL’s emperor appeared from the depths of the Highline backstage area and you could see the excitement in T.I.’s eyes through his pitch black shades as he performed the album’s opener, “56 Barz” with such tenacity. “Shawty liked that don’t he, world hopped off my jock, I got em right back on it” T.I. rapped. Knocking down hit after, the preciseness in T.I.’s performance was extraordinary. Breath control: Check. Crowd interaction: Check. Delivery: Check. Sha was right, T.I. is the last of the superstars. T.I. then took some time to address such chit chatter about NYC showing no support for Southern artists. Said T.I” All that s*it about NYC not supporting southern rappers, I tell them other rappers, ’shit, that’s just you, homey’”.

After running through an assortment of hits from Paper Trail, Urban Legend, T.I Vs. Tip and King, TIP then brought some of his Grand Hustle homies out to play. Grand Hustle’s OG, Alfamega, got a lil shine with his verse from, “Hurt” (Tip couldn’t perform the song because of its violent content) while Big Kuntry familiarized the NYC crowd with a couple joints from his new LP, It’s My Time To Eat. Of course, Tip had a few other tricks up his sleeve. Lupe sucker punched the audience with a surprise performance letting loose with verses from “Superstar” and “Hip Hop Saved My Life”. Swizz then emerged from the back assisting Clifford on the party starter,”Bring Em Out” and their current collabo, “Swing Ya Rag”. That was probably the only time I wished I owned a Louis rag.

Every so often, I would glance upstairs to monitor Jay’s movements, but as the show progressed, I lost sight of the big homey. “Watch What You Say” the first Jay/TI collabo blew threw the speakers, but no Jay, it was too early. So then, Tip asks, “Where are my shades, I need my shades for the next ni*ga that’s coming out”. You knew something was bubbling, but no one knew what or who. The MIA sample rung throughout the ballroom, “No one on the corner has swagga like us”; SHOWTIME!

Tip put his shades on and commenced with his verse, first. He asked, “Is my ni*ga in this mothaf*cka?” Draped in black shades with a black Yankee fitted covering his dome, Jay answered by appearing slowly from behind a black curtain. “You could learn how to dress just by jocking my fresh, jocking jocking my fresh” rapped Jay as TI brushed the dirt off his expensive shoulder. Oh, did I mention the NYC crowd was in ape sh*t mode during the process?

To everyone’s surprise, TIP wasn’t done. The sounds of “I’m Illy”, “What You Know” and “Live Ya Life” kept the crowd rocking. Disappearing abruptly, the crowd seemed a bit puzzled. Drama asked, “What’s wrong?” He continued, “Oh s*it, we forgot one”. “Whatever You Like” an obvious crowd favorite, leaked through the sound system as T.I. swooned the ladies in the front row.

TI, Jay, Lupe, Swizz…..what more could you ask for? Oh I know, a discussion bout how Twitter and Facebook have invaded the lives of many, with Miss Info, Shaheem Reid and Niles (Maino’s tour DJ) at Pop Burger while drinking a black and white milk shake accompanied with a cheeseburger and a side order of French fries…..What You Know about that??

Sincerely

Low “Pinch me, I must be dreaming” Key

Maino & DJ Rocko (Niles) rock the crowd before T.I. hits the stage.

Angie Martinez brings out T.I. while Cipha Sounds records her every movement!

T.I. hits stage and gets BUSY!

Swizz Beatz breaks it down for New York City.

The venue went APE SH*T when Jay hit the stage (Photo spotted at Pardon My Fresh)

Well, this just in, Busta is rumored to be circling up with Sylvia Rhone and her crop of superstar buddies over at Universal Records. Logistics for the new deal have yet to be revealed, but Busta would be joining, Nelly, Lil Wayne, David Banner and Swizz Beatz. Sheeeeesh, think of the collabos between those fools!

Anyway, what are your thoughts on these rumors???? Did Busta get dropped?? Will he fair well over at Universal Motown???? Do you even care??

SOUNDOFFF!!!

Sincerely

Low “Say it ain’t so, Busta” Key

I honestly can’t put into words on how much FUN I had last night at Vibe’s 15^th Anniversary celebration last night at The Cathedral. Is it fair to say that Vibe, thus far, probably gives the BEST functions…can I go that far? Oh well, I just did. Everyone who’s anyone came out to help Danyel Smith and her illustrious Vibe personnel celebrate their 15^th anniversary, and boy do I mean EVERYONE.

The red carpet popped off just as I arrived, but since I don’t like taking pictures with my small apparatus, the homey Big D came through and captured everything and anything moving. After the red carpet finished up (told you I’d take care you Nakia), I dipped inside and that’s when the REAL fun commenced.

Alcoholic consumption was; of course, open so I snagged me a nice beverage and diddy bopped around the venue like I was a 7 year old at Toys R’ Us (Posting on the wall and mean mugging all night is so lame). I ran into Elliot Wilson, former EIC for XXL Magazine, as well as husband to Danyel Smith, discussed Hov’s “Dope Boy Fresh (Jockin Jay-Z)” and how he doesn’t authorize the flow. After some playful banter with Yellow Ni**a, I made my rounds and saw a couple of the usual suspects (who shall remain nameless, lol).

The Retro Kidz, who at the beginning of the night I loathed, were in the middle of the dance floor, you know, doing their “retro thing”, but as soon as Dougie Fresh hit the stage, it allllllllllllll made sense. I felt like I was back in grade school with my crooked ass high top fade, lol (ahhh, memories). Dougie did it man, HE REALLY DID IT! If you weren’t there to witness the show he put on, well, kick yourself in the rear….RIGHT NOW! Towards the end of Dougie’s set, The Retro Kidz hopped on stage and once again, did their “retro thing”. Impressed to say the least, Dougie and The Retro Kidz handled their B.I.

I ran into the big homey Shaheem Reid from MTV.Com and chopped it up with him for a minute. After consuming a couple more alcoholic beverages, DJ Alamo and I (Brand Nubian’s DJ) chopped it up for a second (homey swears he can beat me in ball, lol) . To my total surprise, Swizz hits the stage and brings out the King of the South to shut things down. Yikes, Brand Nubian, how could I forget, tore that ish down too (Sheesh, I need to “Slow Down”…get it? No, dah well!)

Scroll down for pictures, pictures and MORE PICTURES!

Oh, and to see T.I. and Swizz Beatz tear down the stage, head over HERE…….

Sincerely

Low “Should’ve saw me, Should’ve seen me” Key

Brand Nubian’s, Sadat X getting busy on the MIC!

Little X taking a picture of the BDay cake

Some of VIBE’s best issues…..

You know Ryan Leslie tore that ish down…..

Looks like Dougie Fresh enjoyed himself…..

The Retro Kidz had a BALL on stage with Dougie Fresh…

Alesha Renee took care of the hosting duties…..

Swizz Beatz hopped on stage and basically, TORE IT DOWN!

He even brought the big homey, T.I. along with him….

Even homey in the background could see how amped T.I. was…..

Danyel Smith thanking all of Vibe’s supporters…….

Pretty dope pic, huh?

Looks like Bow Wow’s bank is all grown up with a little help from Swizz Beatz!

Alright, it took me awhile, but I THINK I’m getting used to the grown up version of Bow Wow. Though I’m still thrown off when this pint sized pup blurts out an explicit, I must admit his lyrical exercise game is getting by the year.

“Big Bank Take Lil Bank” is the new street single from Bow’s latest offering, Pedigree. Word on the street, Jermaine Dupri was supposed to lay a quick 16, but I guess things didn’t go down as planned, so Swizz came through and got it popping for the lil homey.

Bow Wow ft. Swizz Beatz- Big Bank Take Lil Bank 

How you guys feeling the grown up Bow Wow???

Like it, Love it or Leave it?????

Sincerely

Low “This kid has toooooo much money” Key 

Ok, so maybe my job doesn’t ALWAYS embody the dopeness that I speak about, but it damn sure makes for some interesting commentary lol. Last night, of course, I was ripping and running through the big apple, event hopping like I had nothing else to do with my life (I actually didn’t). First, TG (BET.Com’s Director of Music Development & Marketing) and I hit up Karina Pasian’s Dinner Showcase at the STK Lounge in the meatpacking district. And while the alcoholic consumption was free, dinner was NOWHERE TO BE FOUND! As far as Karina performance, superb. TG said she reminds him of a young Alicia and I had to agree. 16 years old with such a seasoned voice, shorty is destined for greatness.

At the conclusion of that event, my homey Imo scooped me up and and we headed to the Yung Berg album listening session. Free alcohol once again, I made my rounds with cups of something toxic in my hand. Yung Berg, who’s finally getting his shot at releasing a product to the masses, seemed kind of unenthusiastic during the playing of his album cuts. I don’t know if he was perturbed with the lack of attention he was receiving or what, but something was iggin him, at least it seemed that way to me. I chopped it up with the homey Shaheem from MTV.Com and a couple other media associates for a couple of minutes and then made my way towards the exit sign.

At the conclusion of THAT event, I made my way down to Cipriani’s for DJ Cassidy’s Birthday party. When I tell you that place was a zoo, I hold that sentiment to the highest of it’s abilities. Though I had no trouble gaining access to the red carpet (gooooood loooks, Vanessa), 20 minutes after I got situated, people started coming from every direction possible attempting to get inside. Usually, the ambiance of “Let me in, do you know who I am?” doesn’t bother me, but last night, people were literally overdosing on the sentiment. I can understand people wanna party and have a good time, but damn, let the doorman and security do their job. Regardless, the turnout was major and I had an incredible time witnessing everyone bargaining their life’s away with the doorman and doorwoman attempting to gain access.

Anyway, I have an ish load of work to get done today, and this is only the first of MANY SoundOff posts. Scroll down for  some visuals and colorful commentary from my industry excurison last night lol.

Sincerely

Low “I’m 2 minutes from falling asleep on this keyboard” Key

The house was sort of packed for Young Berg’s album listening session….

Yung Berg introducing a couple tracks off his new album, Look What You Made.

Look at what New York made Yung Berg…..

Look what Cali made Yung Berg...

As you can see, Berg was ready to hit the road…. 

BET’s, Sharon Carpenter hits the red carpet at DJ Cassidy’s B-Day party…. 

Dr. Ben Chavis looks sort of confused, but ready to party….

The line ouside of Cipriani’s last night was INSANE,  so I took a picture of it lol…..

So So Def’s “Digital Darling”, Dondria smiles for the flashing lights 

Executive VP of Def Jam, Shakir Stewart and VP of A&R, Lenny S were all smiles at DJ Cassidy’s B-Day Party…. 

Hip Hop violinist, Miri-Ben Ari hits the red carpet…..

So adorable! Now if only we can get Cassie to release some music…. 

You KNOW Jermaine Dupri was in attendance…..

Mashonda looking oh so scrumptious at DJ Cassidy’s B-Day party….. 

Yung Berg and that DAMN Transformers piece….. 

Kevin Liles gets in on the action at DJ Cassidy’s B-Day party…. 

Swizzy The Monster made a quick appearance….. 

Russell Simmons poses for the cameras at DJ Cassidy’s B-Day party….

Terrance J and DJ Envy point out each others coolness during DJ Cassidy’s B-Day party…. 

Lil X slid through to wish DJ Cassidy a happy birthday….. 

Finally, the birthday boy, DJ Cassidy hit the red carpet with his million dollar smile….. 

Maybe I’m buggin, but is a 9-5 supposed to be this much fun?? Nah, right (what up Eskay lol?) I swear, if I’m not talking to one of my favorite artists, I’m traveling across country to an event. And if I’m not outta town, I’m at some function where the alcoholic consumption is free of charge (well not last night, but you get the idea) and Jermaine Dupri is yelling at me to get  his artists’ feature up online (Whas good JD lol, it’ll be done before COB). Regardless of what’s going on, just know your boy is having a blast. Last night I hit up Vibe’s Real Rap Issue Party at Club Ono , and judging by the ambiance that blessed the facility, to the untrained industry eye, one would have thought it was an after party for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards.

Of course, I had my roadie Edaki with me, so you already know how it gets when we hit the town. However, E wasn’t feeling the sardine can like atmosphere, so he bolted early, but of course I got a nice flick of him reading a magazine lol. PRICELESS! As soon as I stepped foot inside, my homey, Melo purchased me a L.I.T. and since it was incredibly strong, I was feeling a BIT friendlier than usual. We posted up at the bar for a minute, you know, looking cool and ish like that. At first, it was pretty light inside, DJ Envy was in one corner, DJ Cassidy was spinning everything under the sun and the ladies, ahhhhhhh the ladies were looking incredibly scrumptious. King of the South, T.I.P showed up unexpectedly and even posed for a quick snap shot (check below). Talked some business with the homey Shaheem Reid from MTV and grabbed another beverage. After being stiffed at the door, the homey Jackpot FINALLY got inside, which is when the real fun started!

All of a sudden, it got a tad bit crazy. First JD and the digital darling, Dondria (whad up, DD lol?) showed up. Then Ebro, Hot 97’s Program Director came in and hit the bar. Next, Fabolous and his Street Family goons hit the VIP section with DJ Clue close by. Lenny S discreetly maneuvered his way around the lounge while Young Sav and Steve-O kept things poppin on the patio. Ace Hood slid by as DJ Envy punched me in the elbow making me almost drop my drink (prick, lol). Young Sav and I asked Lenny S about the “Put On” remix with Jay-Z, in which he gave us this GUILTY smirk (that means it’s coming soon). JD and I talked about keeping Dondria’s online presence strong because that’s basically where she originated. He explained to me in DETAIL on how he wanted to execute that plan, which sounded pretty damn solid. Danyel Smith, EIC of VIBE Magazine, took some time to ask me why Howard University was blanketing the entire entertainment industry with its insanely talented personnel (her online editor, Jozen Cummings is also a Howard alumni, WHAD UP HOMEY?)

As I was making my rounds, I bumped into a young lady by the name of Nicky Nice. During my spot to spot moves, she was nice enough to watch my drink….which was pretty damn awesome. During our chop it up session, the man of the hour, Young Jeezy appeared out of nowhere lol. He made his way to the VIP patio and basically took over. Soon after, Swizz Beatz, Chaka Zulu, Terrence J, Alesha Renee, Irv Gotti and Nas came through and basically made Ono, the spot to be July 8, 2008.

I can’t front, this is pretty much a dope ass job with some dope ass perks. And to show you how dope it is, check out these DOPE ass pictures , Me, Johnny Nunez and Ronnie Wright snapped last night! I’m GHOST!

Sincerely

Low “Does life get better than this? Yea, so keep it locked to see how good it gets” Key

Vibe Magazine and Tequilla 1800 kept the party going till about 1am….

Sean Pecas, Jermaine Dupri, Swizz Beatz, Irv Gotti,Young Jeezy and Fabolous mean mug for the flashing lights..

TI hitting the VIP patio…

VIP Patio at club Ono….

Cute lil honey dip at Vibe’s Real Rap Issue Party…Damn it, I should have asked for her name!

DJ Cassidy getting busy on the 1’s and 2’s.

VIBE EIC, Danyel Smith and Irv Gotti share a couple laughs…

The man with no title hits the red carpet…

I have NO idea who this is, but she’s a cutie….

VIBE correspondent, Audrea chats it up with video director, Little X…..

Red Cafe and DJ Envy throw it up for BET.Com…..

Jermaine Dupri and Ebro chop it up on the VIP Patio….

Young Jeezy and Fabolous sippin on some Tequilla 1800….

Swizzy, Sean Pecas (the tall bald one) and Young Jeezy meet up on the VIP Patio……

The homey, Nicky Nice, held it down for VIBE Magazine…..

“Can’t front, I’m missin the old DJ Clue tapes”- Joe Budden

Tim Glover, Young Sav and Steve-O repping strong for Def Jam records and Best Of Both Offices

Either he was confused on how small my camera was or how CLOSE it was to his face lol……(no he’s not giving me the finger lol)

LowKey at it once again…..

I swear E was sooooooooooo focused on that Young Jeezy article…….

Young Jeezy and his Tequilla 1800….

INCREDIBLE……

Young Jeezy acting a fool with Playboy’s “Girls Next Door”…..

The brown skin vixen, D.Wright…….;)

Look at Jeezy stuntin……

Nas, Swizz Beatz and Young Jeezy get it poppin at Vibe’s Real Rap Issue Party….

DJ Cassidy gets a taste of the flashing lights and some Tequilla 1800….

Not ONE scuff. That’s how you maneuver through a party with a fresh pair of kicks….lol!

I love giving away treats, it makes my job that much more fun. Since I won’t be rummaging through the internets to heavy for the next 72 hours, I figure why not go out in style, right?

Though his new album, Paper Trail, isn’t hitting the masses until September 9, TI and his Grand Hustle personnel are making sure the streets are well prepared for his arrival. So far, 6 tracks from the new LP have already surfaced, but I’m sure they’re not worried, and if they are, I advise them to take a gander at this….leaking your own material may just work in your favor lol….

T.I. feat Swizz Beatz- Swing Your Rag (Prod. By Swizz Beatz)

You know the drill….

Like it, Love it, or Leave it???????

Sincerely

Low “I don’t have a Louis or Gucci rag to wave, so I’ll just use my doo rag” Key