Royale’s Big Philly’s random CD buys: Eminem – Relapse

Eminem – Relapse (2009)

Guest Shopper: Big Philly | Sole Purpose | www.BigPhilly.ca

Where :Wal-Mart 50 Quarry Edge Brampton, ON

How Much: $9.93 (But, the sticker was tagged at $12.74 Yea, I don’t know, but I didn’t complain!)

Why : Cuz “I’m Eminem! And you’re a fag in a Womens gym!” Nah, because 50’s favourite white boy is back!

Standout joints: “3 A.M.”, “My Mom”, “Insane”, “Same Song & Dance”, “Medicine Ball”, “Crack a Bottle” & “Underground”
Sit down Joints: The only song I’m not really feeling is “We Made You”, you know when you hear a good song too much? Chalk this one up to oversaturation!

Rating: 9/10

Conclusion : After taking a 4 year hiatus, Mr. Mathers is back with a more mature (Yes, more mature) sound, more polished flow (Yes, believe it or not he has improved his already untouchable flow) and his best produced work to date (Thanks Dre) After recently admitting he has not recorded a song sober in over 7 years, “Relapse” is truly an artistic album that captures real emotions from a genuine individual. The album is a lot more introspective than the last few releases and exposes a more human side of Eminem, one that faces real problems like everyone else. If you want to hear new Hip Hop that doesn’t require learning some weird dance off of YouTube, then pick this up!

- Big Philly

Royale’s random CD buys: Cam’Ron – Crime Pays

Cam’Ron -Crime Pays (2009)

Where : HMV Trinity Commons Mall Brampton, ON

How Much: 14.99

Why : Seriously!?

Standout joints: “Cookin Up”, “Curve”, “Get it In Ohio”, “Got it For Cheap” & “Who”
Sit down Joints: “You Know What’s Up”, “Get it Get it”

Rating: 7.5/10

Conclusion : As much as i would love a Dipset reunion, in terms of music, Cam definitely does not need them. In my opinion a strong album. You can see this as an “alright” album or a really good mixtape. Cam fans, Dipset fans will not be disappointed…and i am pretty sure this album did better than “Pray for Reign”

P.S – I gave up on getting Summer Jam Tix, I doubt the reunion will happen.

-Arrogant Roy AKA Royale Montana

Royale’s random CD buys: Bobby V(alentino) -The Rebirth

Bobby V – The Re-birth (2009)

Where : HMV 333 Yonge St. Toronto, ON

How Much: 16.99 (i think)

Why : I didn’t wanna only buy Jadakiss that day, I don’t know anyone from EMI and Bobby Valentino is that dude ! no H-mo

Standout joints: “Make You the only one”, “Hands on me”, “Beep”, “3 is the New 2″ & “My Girl”
Sit down Joints: “Give you my heart” & “On the edge”

Rating: 8/10

Conclusion : Bobby V is one of the few R&B artists left that actually make that real good ol’ R&B music like we used to know. Even with the label change and lack of promo, Bobby keeps it consistent with that smooth southern R&B flava, much like his last two albums.

-Arrogant Roy

Royale’s random CD buys: Shawty Lo – Units In the City

                                             Shawty Lo – Units in the City  (2007)    

Where : F.Y.E, Walden Galleria. Buffalo, U.S.A

How Much: 9.99

Why : I’m on my Down South, Bankhead, ATL shit. I Thought it would be good riding music, especially when i’m blunted. I also enjoy doing the “run-in-place” dance since “Dey Know” dropped.

Standout joints: The first 4 songs “100 000″, “Dey Know”, “Dunn,Dunn” & “Foolish”.

Sit down Joints: Everything after the first 4

Rating: 4/10

Conclusion : I’m gonna continue to support Shawty-Lo by continuing to “run-in-place” in the clubs and cursing at the radio everytime I hear T.I & Justin “Dead & Gone”. As for the album, putting in the shelf. 

-Arrogant Roy

I can put you in a condo, but not in Buffalo…

We frequently enjoy going on day trips to Buffalo, NY. For shits, giggles, famous dave’s BBQ, and of course some WBLK on the radio. During one of our recent trips it came to our attention that the station was playing a different version of T-Pain’s “i can’t believe it” where the line, ‘I can put you in a condo all the way up in Toronto’ ,was totally removed from the song! No other cities were removed. WTF!!? How odd. So I decided to investigate by emailing BLK’s program director to ask what’s up. This is what he said.

We play the version that was submitted to us by the label.

Really? Why is that i’ve only heard THAT version on BLK and on no other American stations. When i probed deeper (no homo) he said he had no idea!

So what do you think? It makes me laugh more than anything but I’m still confused as to why they did that! Jealousy!!?

–Big Jacks

Dec 11th: EYE Weekly Magazine DJ Spotlight feat. DJ Big Jacks!!!

Hey ya’ll,

check out one of Grand Groove’s own in this week’s Eye Magazine (Toronto) as i’m the featured DJ in their spotlight section. The magazine hits shelves tomorrow and is online right now! And don’t forget about SWERVE this saturday, Dec 13th @ NO REGRETS!!!

http://www.eyeweekly.com/djspotlight/article/47487

BIG JACKS
BY Elizabeth Mitkos
December 10, 2008 21:12

WHO From radio airwaves to clubs and malls, local hip-hop DJ Big Jacks spins for thousands of listeners, dancers and shoppers every week. Currently the host of the Mixtape Massacre Show on CKLN, he’s been a favourite among Toronto radio personalities since he started Backroad Radio on York University’s CHRY in 2001. One half of Grand Groove DJ with DJ Royale and of Black-Rap.com alongside Bozack (with whom he’s releasing the second CD in his disco, boogie and modern-soul mix series Breakadawn), Big Jacks has toured with Jay-Z’s DJ Neil Armstrong and opened for acts such as A Tribe Called Quest, KRS-One and DJ Premier. An avid record collector since 1995, Big Jacks moved from DJing in his basement to playing clubs in 1999 thanks to DJ Serious booking his first gigs. Along with spinning on the radio and for the retail crowd at Aritzia in Yorkdale, the Eaton Centre and on Bloor Street, Big Jacks is a regular at the monthly Swerve and Assorted Goods parties.

WHAT “Hip-hop, R&B, house, reggae, boogie, soul and anything else funky, from the old to the new,” says Big Jacks, whose best DJing experience happens “when a crowd trusts you to do what you do.”

WHERE Dec. 13 at Swerve: The Present at No Regrets (42 Mowat)

FAVOURITE RECORD OF ALL TIME “Can anyone ever really answer this?”

FAVOURITE RECORD RIGHT NOW “Treasure Fingers, ‘Cross the Dancefloor,’ (both the original and the Chromeo remix).”

FAVOURITE WEBSITE RIGHT NOW “I’m all about the blogs these days. http://www.themeaningofdope.com is one that I frequent, plus I like a few random blogs that cater to ‘80s boogie and obscure shit. And, of course, our own blog, http://grandgroovedjs.wordpress.com.”

WHAT IS YOUR MOST SURREAL OR WEIRDEST DJING EXPERIENCE? “Too many moments to name, but most recently rocking alongside Lord Finesse and Diggin In The Crates was kinda crazy to me!”

DIGITAL OR ANALOG? “I got love for analog but the digital age is making things easier for everyone.”

WHAT IS VITAL TO YOUR DAILY ROUTINE? “I just got a Blackberry and it’s pretty much attached to my hand now!”

WHAT GLOBAL ISSUE CONCERNS YOU MOST RIGHT NOW? “Mark January 20th, 2009 [US presidential inauguration day] on your calendar.”

WHAT IS YOUR RING TONE RIGHT NOW? “Vibrate. But if I did use a ring tone it would be Freeway’s ‘What We Do.’ “

WHAT IS THE LAST GREAT FILM YOU SAW? “The Human Tornado (a.k.a. Dolemite II). R.I.P. Rudy Ray Moore.”

WHAT ACTOR WOULD PLAY YOU IN A BIOPIC? “Rudy Ray Moore!”

–Big Jacks

RIP Party Arty aka P-80

RIP Party Arty (pictured on the left)

The hip hop world has taken another hit with the loss of Diggin’ In The Crates affiliate Party Arty this past week. Health complications are being blamed as the reason for the Bronx rappers death, who was also known to many as P-80. Fans of hip hop music were first introduced to Party Arty through DITC in the 90’s. As a member of the Ghetto Dwellas (alongside D-Flow pictured above) he made various appearances on tracks with Showbiz & A.G and other members of the crew. Most recently he gained notoriety with the younger generation of hip hop fans by battling Murda Mook on the popular street DVD Smack.

Party Arty vs Murda Mook

Showbiz & AG feat. D-Flow, Party Arty, & Method Man – Got The Flava

–Big Jacks

“I’m like a black president….

cuz niggas ain’t seeing me”- Mad Skillz.

Oh how true this line was in 1995, but only thirteen years later it’s 2008 and things done changed! Did you ever think you’d live to see a Black president of the United States? I know i didn’t. But it’s official, Barack Obama is now the president elect on his way to becoming the 44th president of America and the first Black president in US History. We’re seeing historic moments unfold in front of our eyes, take notice! Change is here.

–Big Jacks

ROYALE’S TOP 25 …

Just some random thoughts in no particular order

1. Royale is only doing this cause nothing has been posted in 3 days.
2. Royale feels for Jenn Hud’s loss (keep your head up)
3. Royale is Awaiting the vertigo’s slow exit
4. Royale Does not care for the A.I trade
5. Royale Is sick of the word “swagger”
6 Royale Is sick of “Swagger like us”
7. Joe Budden – Halfway House
8. Royale says “the Lakers’ Bench is better than your teams bench”
9. Royale is not a politics guy, but is intrigued that things may “CHANGE” tomorrow
10.Royale wants a FLIPCAM
11.Q-tip – The Renaissance
12.Royale is open from the Beyonce “officer” pic
13.Royale missed the whole fall season
14.NOTORIOUS09.COM
15.Royale thinks your podcasts SUCK!!
16.http://djmensa.wordpress.com/
17.Royale has fell in love with music again
18.Robin Thicke – Sidestep
19.Royale has Chank’s passport
20.Royale is no longer throwing up every morning
21.Royale has had a new whip for 3 weeks, haven’t driven it yet
22.Royale is debating on whether he should get a BANGBROS pass
23.Royale is going to see Jacks play “the Black Santa” on the 23rd
24.Royale is watching a taped USA vs Spain game, Intense!
25.Royale knows you don’t care, but it’s my blog. So you can go kill yourself

I promise, we got more dope ish coming, we just been busy!!

DOUBLE G’S BABY!

p.s fellow WordPresser’s, be easy on the tags. Don’t get Shut Down

-Arrogant Roy

It’s that time of the year…

NBA season is back! Yesterday was opening night, Paul Pierce cried, Greg Oden got injured, and rookie Derrick Rose of the Bulls put on a show. As good as it was to see my beloved Laks get the W against the Blazers, I felt for Greg Oden ending the night early due to rolling his right foot. The kid never seems to get a break.

Every one and their moms knows I am Laker fan. I feel even more confident this season with a healthy Bynum, Gasol playing his original position and Lamar coming off the bench. They are still gonna be the team to beat in the west. I say the Black Mamba reclaims his MVP title, Odom gets 6th man of the year and Bynum gets most improved player and we’re back at the finals. The question is who else will be at the finals and if history repeats itself, can they overcome the hurdle. Only time will tell.

As for the rest of the league. The Rockets look scary with the addition of Queensbridge native Ron Artest, Houston looks like a more complete team than they ever did. The west is still a powerhouse, but the names like Spurs, Mavs and Suns are no longer holding the fort. Hornets, Jazz, Lakers are new front runners for the west.

As for the east. Celtics will still reign supreme, i don’t know about a repeat of the title though. The Cavs will be Cavs and the King will have an amazing season, maybe even an MVP season. Philly looks focused with the acquisition of Elton Brand to compliment the rising star Andre Iguodala, the Sixers are definitely set to put a dent in the east. I may not be looking out for the Heat as a Team, but i am looking for Wade to snap and remind us that he is still one of the best talents in the league.

Lastly, I gotta put on for my city. The Raps (plus I know I wouldn’t hear the end of it if I didn’t mention them). We already know these guys can run with up and down with the best teams in the league. Now that Jermaine O’ Neal has been added to the mix, this takes a load off of Bosh’s role. Which would allow him to get lose and play his designated position and vice versa with J.O. Also, they will be able to tussle with best of the big men in the league (pause), your K.G’s. Timmy D’s, Amare’s and so forth. Also, their speedy point guard Jose Calderon (who ran T.J out of the city) needs to step up and embrace the position as the primary point guard. You asked for it buddy, now walk the walk.

Oh wait how can I forget the return of the Emmy-award winning Post-game show Inside the NBA. It’s always a pleasure to watch Ernie, Chuck, and Kenny bicker at each other. This is actually more entertaining than the actual game these days.

Anyway, NBA fans enjoy, good luck to you and your teams and I will return mid-season with an update. Greg Oden, keep you head up (pause).

-ARROGANT ROY