The original Mod movement has been supposedly dead for 40 odd years, but Horst Friedrichs and Prestel Publishing gives it another injection of life in his photographic anthology, ‘I’m One – 21st Century Mods. Though it’s been a long time since the Kinks and Quadrophenia, it’s impossible to go through any major city without seeing at least one well-dressed man on a vintage Lambretta. Horst Friedrichs has been involved in the Mod movement in London since 1997, and I’m One lets readers look at this unique scene from the camera lens of an insider, and is really something not to be missed.

We start our story in the mid 80’s. Ronald Reagan was still in office. People weren’t yet convinced that McDonalds was all that bad for you – after all, would a clown sell you something that could be detrimental to your health? Surely not. Video had been killing the radio star for a minute before rap got in on the act. Walk with us as we take a brief stroll down memory lane….

1985: Run-DMC – “King Of Rock”

Run DMC’S symbolic storming of a Rock Museum in the King of Rock signalled rap music’s entrance into popular culture – beaming the gritty realities of life on the other side of the tracks into the homes of Middle America. They were the first rap group on MTV four years after its inception.

Honorable Mentions:
Whodini: “Friends” – 1985 ; Fat Boys: “Stick ‘Em” – 1985

1986: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – “Girls Ain’t Nuthin But Trouble”

Rap was not afraid to have fun. Sure, there were the Schooly D’s and Just Ice’s doing their thing, but they weren’t filling up stadiums at the time. This was Will Smith before the summer blockbusters and Jazzy Jeff before repeated ejection from a Bel Air Mansion. Originally discovered by Paul Oakenfold – yes, that Paul Oakenfold – the duo set their own rap landmark, by taking home the first Rap Grammy.

Honorable Mentions:
Beastie Boys: “Fight For Your Right” – 1986 ; Whistle: “Only Buggin” – 1986

1987: Eric B & Rakim – “I Ain’t No Joke”

The God Rakim just rhyming around the way. There were no exotic locations – the hood was a good enough back drop. At this point in time, videos could look like they cost a million dollars to make, but if the music wasn’t up to scratch, you would get called out for it.

Honorable Mentions:
Dana Dane: “Nightmares” – 1987 ; Kool Moe Dee: “Wild Wild West” – 1987

1988: NWA – “Straight Outta Compton

This was a bruising introduction to The World’s Most Dangerous Group in its‘ most celebrated incarnation. Up until now – the whole concept of ‘a band that everyone fears’ had only really been exploited by rock groups. This video set the tone from the word ’go.’ There were mob scenes. There were shots of people walking with their shoes on fire and Eazy E talking all kinds of madness in a voice that sounded like it could have belonged to a cartoon character. Also worth noting that this is the year that Yo! MTV Raps was first broadcast.

Honorable Mentions:
Salt N’ Pepa: ”Push It” - 1988; Slick Rick: “Children’s Story” – 1988

1989: Public Enemy – “Fight The Power”

There was a definite correlation between the militancy of Chuck D’s call to arms and Spike Lee’s concept of a march in Brooklyn for this video, which was also a single from the ‘Do The Right Thing’ soundtrack. It is possible that some of America‘s upper class saw this and instantly barricaded themselves in their houses, fearing the long spoken of Revolution had begun. They weren’t to know it would all end in Flavor Of Love. Rap would gain further mainstream exposure with BET’s Rap City first hit the airwaves.

Honorable Mentions:
De La Soul: “Say No Go” – 1989 ; Biz Markie: “Just A Friend” – 1989

1990: LL Cool J – “Mama Said Knock You Out”

Should really have been renamed ‘Hammertime’ in the history books – Stanley Burrell was sweeping all before him, and he didn‘t need the approval of rap‘s hardcore to do it. ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’ was LL managing to reconcile the two sides of his career as a pop artist and a master of lyricism. Upon hearing this for the first time, Kool Moe Dee must have wished he’d picked on someone else.

Honorable Mentions:
Digital Underground: “The Humpty Dance” – 1990 ; Brand Nubian: “Slow Down” – 1990

1991: A Tribe Called Quest – “Scenario”

What with the turn of the millennium now less than a decade away, hip-hop was looking to the future. Leave it to one of rap’s most innovative groups to take it there. The video for ‘Scenario’ gave the impression of being interactive – I, like many others, have sat in front of the screen, blinking as the portraits of Spike Lee, De La Soul, Redman et al flash up. Fact: ‘Scenario’ was directed by Jim Swaffield – the man who almost two decades later would be responsible for R Kelly’s Trapped In The Closet (chapters 13-22).

Honorable Mentions:
Black Sheep: “The Choice Is Yours” – 1991 ; Gangstarr: “Just To Get A Rep” – 1991

1992: Ice Cube – “Check Yo’ Self”

As far as Black America was concerned there was one incident that pretty much defined this year. The beating of motorist Rodney King by policeman and the subsequent acquittal of the officers – despite video evidence proving their guilt. The reaction came in the form of the LA riots, and Ice Cube, already two albums into his solo career since leaving NWA was there to act as a correspondent to the outside world. The video for Today Was A Good Day, ends with Cube being arrested before taking a trip through the California State penal system on his next visual outing ‘Check Yo Self.’

Honorable Mentions:
Diamond D: “Sally Got A One Track Mind” – 1992 ; Dr. Dre f/ Snoop Dogg: “Ain’t Nuthin But A ‘G’ Thang” – 1992

1993: KRS One – “Sound Of Da Police”

KRS One could always be counted on to speak out on hot button issues. From Black on Black crime (‘Self Destruction’) to beef – the meat, not a potentially fatal deterioration of relations between two or more rappers – on ‘Beef’. The video itself wasn’t particularly groundbreaking, but when 1993 comes up in the Format office’s hip-hop conversations, it’s always one of the first songs to get name checked.

Honorable Mentions:
Beatnuts: “Reign Of The Tec” – 1993 ; Cypress Hill: “Insane In The Brain” – 1993

1994: Craig Mack – “Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)”

So begins the emergence of Puff. Having launched Craig Mack’s career, he put Notorious B.I.G on the map, by arranging for his two charges to go head to head with some of the best known rappers of the day. The video’s black and white minimalist aesthetic was later referenced in the video for G-Dep’s Special Delivery (Remix).

Honorable Mentions:
Jeru Tha Damaja: “Can’t Stop The Prophet” – 1994 ; Common: “I Used To Love H.E.R”

1995: Raekwon – “Ice Cream”

During this summer, Raekwon emerged as a contender for the King Of New York title. And it wasn’t like there was a shortage of competition, in terms of classic music being produced. That year alone future classics such as ’Shook Ones Pt. 2,’ ’Livin Proof,’ ‘Broken Language,‘ ‘Bucktown,‘ and ‘Cell Therapy‘ were released. Had it not been for ‘Who Shot Ya?’ and a disappointing second album, Rae would definitely been on the shortlist.

Honorable Mentions:
Goodie MOB: “Cell Therapy” – 1995 ; The Pharcyde: Drop – 1995

1996: 2PAC – California Love

Saw the birth of the ‘To Be Continued…‘ rap video. Rappers were now beginning to get the notion they could act. Pac had set the bar as far as ‘Young, Black & Unhinged’ with his portrayal of Bishop in ‘Juice‘. Director, Hype Williams had really begun to hit his stride in 1994, and after spending 1995 directing videos such as Notorious B.I.G’s “Warning” and Adina Howard’s “Freak Like Me” – he made his bid for the crown in ‘96 with the hallucinogen hued clip for Busta’s “Woo-Hah!” and the Mad Max inspired California Love.

Fugees: “Ready Or Not” – 1996 ; The Roots: What They Do – 1996  

1997: Notorious B.I.G – “Sky’s The Limit”

Biggie’s death on March 9th, was marked by the Spike Jonze directed – ‘Sky‘s The Limit,’ for which he recruited half-pint look-alikes of Busta Rhymes, The Lox, Faith Evans and Lil Kim to act out a day in the life of Messrs. Wallace and Combs. After the loss of a life there was something quite touching about the innocent fun the clip portrayed.

Honorable Mentions:
Camp Lo: “Luchini” – 1997 ; Busta Rhymes “Put Ur Hands Where My Eyes Could See” – 1997

1998: DMX – “Get At Me Dog”

The year DMX shocked the game. Much like the scene in ‘The Dark Knight’ when The Joker walks into the party and throws Bruce/Harvey’s girl out of the window. Everyone was happily riding around in chauffeur driven saloons, and got comfortable, when a piercing bark shattered their daydreams. That same year, Hype Williams tapped X’s intense persona for the character of Buns in the ‘hood classic’, Belly. In short, the camera <3’s Earl. Pause.

Honorable Mentions:
Big Pun: “Not A Player” – 1998 ; Xzibit – “What You See Is What You Get” – 1998 

1999: Nas – “Hate Me Now”

“Hate Me Now” caused quite a stir. Not only were there whispers of outrage at the crucifixion scenes, but Sean Combs’ reaction to not having certain scenes removed from the video was ’extreme’ to say the least. The clip itself was a celebration of excess. Nas’ giant QB chain, Diddy spitting champagne at the camera and mink hats. Rap was revelling in its’ nouveau riche status. Platinum strippers and white tigers are the order of the day. The whole video looks like one of the Pen and Pixel No Limit album covers brought to life…

Honorable Mentions:
Dr. Dre f/ Snoop Dogg: “Next Episode” – 1999 ; Mos Def : “Umi Says” – 1999

2000: Jay-Z f/ UGK – “Big Pimpin’”

Hype Williams made this one widescreen, for the sole purpose of cramming as much Melyssa Ford, yacht and footage of Dame Dash doing his infamous ‘two bottle’ dance while wasted (a trick he picked up in the promo clip for “Hey Papi”) as possible. The excess continued. Exotic location? Check. Money thrown in crowd? Check. The late Pimp C wearing a fur coat in Florida in the middle of the summer? Check. Everythang’s working.

Honorable Mentions:
Outkast: “Bombs Over Baghdad” – 2000 ; Ghostface: “Cherchez la Ghost” – 2000

2001: Missy Elliot – “Get UR Freak On”

This song was inescapable. A cartoonish trawl through the minds of Missy and Timbaland, complete with ashy zombies – this wasn’t an isolated occurrence, either. Pretty much all of the Missy videos from this era were weird in varying degrees. Late in the year the terrorist attack on New York wounded the spirit of America, and subsequently hip-hop….

Honorable Mentions:
Foxy Brown: “Oh Yeah” – 2001 ; Ludacris: “Rollout (My Business)” – 2001

2002: Ja Rule f/ Bobby Brown – “Thug Lovin’”

It’s not that the video was groundbreaking or anything. It was pretty much a standard issue Murder Inc. video; video starts. Ja runs around with no shirt. Pretty ladies. Singing. More rapping. Fade to black. This time around, however, they added an X Factor. Bobby Brown. Whether or not they expected it to happen, B. Brown completely stole the show, starting proceedings off with a karate kick aimed at the camera and then four to five minutes of gurning and chemically enhanced adlibs. Ja was forced to play the bridesmaid in his own video. Still – things could have been worse for him….

Honorable Mentions:
EL-P: “Deep Space 9MM” – 2002 ; Clipse: “Grindin” – 2002

2003: 50 Cent – In Da Club

Queens’ tendency of breeding rap superstars would continue. I’m not even going to go through the whole ’nine shots’ thing, but 50 Cent arrived on the scene with a near obsessive mission to end Ja Rule’s career – we would only later realise that he did it, by being better at being Ja than Ja was…

Honorable Mentions:
Eminem: “Lose Yourself” – 2003 ; Jaylib: “McNasty Filth” – 2003

2004: Kanye West – “Jesus Walks (alternate version)”

Kanye West’s policy of shooting a video (or in the case of “Jesus Walks” – three) for as many songs as possible led to some great visuals accompanying College Dropout. In some ways it was a throwback to the creative freedom rap enjoyed in the mid 90’s. You know what, Format is going to give him video of the year for 2004, because we’re on his blogroll and to be quite frank, we’ve seen how he reacts when his videos don’t get the respect he believes they deserve and we don’t need that kind of drama in our lives.

Honorable Mentions:
Murs: “Bad Man” – 2004 ; Jadakiss: “Why?” – 2004

2005: Mike Jones f/ Paul Wall & Slim Thug – “Still Tippin’”

Videos from Down South, dating back to the era of Uncle Luke, have generally been an explosion of candy paint, keyboards and booty. There wasn’t any need for Hollywood production values. This is, after all, the region that pioneered moving records out of car trunks. Don’t bother involving the middle man. The formula is timeless: Diamond encrusted grills. A chopped & screwed hook and a scene in a strip club. ‘Still Tippin’ ended up being one of the year’s biggest songs and Mike Jones (Who??) unintentionally slipped into ‘One Hit Wonder’ territory.

Honorable Mentions:
Beanie Sigel: “Feel It In The Air” – 2005; Little Brother: “Lovin’ It” – 2005

2006: Rick Ro$$ – “Hustlin’”

Can it be that it was all so simple then? Rick Ro$$’ major label debut was a monster. A runaway hit. Little old ladies were singing ‘Whip it, whip it – real hard.’ The world was at The Bawss’ feet. But that was before it had been proved that he’d once had a job (gasp!). A real one. With a Social Security number. His breakout video, directed by Gil Green was a whistle stop tour of Dade County, further introducing the world to The Dirty South.

Honorable Mentions:
T.I.: “What You Know About That?” – 2006 ; J Dilla: “Won’t Do” – 2006

2007: Consequence – “Uncle Raheim”

The arrival of Rik Cordero as a player in the video game with his simple but effective clips. In response to increasingly bigger budget offerings from major labels. You get the idea that Rik doesn’t really care for waiting on cheques to get cut. Turn up at his house with a messenger bag full of cash and you’ve got yourself a mini movie.

Wu-Tang Clan f/ Erykah Badu: “Heart Gently Weeps” – 2007 ; Blu & Exile: “So(ul) Amazing” – 2007

2008: Lil Wayne – “Lollipop”

This was undoubtedly the year of Lil Wayne. Having sold a million records in a week, the wee man took home his fair share of awards in ’08. A limo truck full of models driving Weezy and Static Major to a party thrown by, one would assume, Birdman. What sort of parent is Baby? Wayne has been calling him ‘Daddy’ for years. Is he a disciplinarian or the kind of dad you could hang out and enjoy a quiet pint (of sizzurp) with?

Honorable Mentions:
Snoop Dogg: “Sexual Eruption” ; Lupe Fiasco: “Paris, Tokyo” – 2008

2009: It’s a bit early in the year to pick a video, but let’s finish by coming to an understanding of the game in its’ current position; we’ve reached the point where Youtube has made it possible for literally anyone to make a promo clip and share it with the whole world. Now rappers seem to like making videos to tell you they’ve been filming a video – Yes, Jim Jones – we’re talking about you – which may or may not ever see the light of day. Despite this, we at Format encourage you to keep on clicking. Who knows, you may find the next Spike, Hype or Chris one click away. Or it could be another ‘rapper gets exposed’ clip….

Holland’s crown jewel, Amsterdam, has a long-standing reputation for being a city where seedy vices are as common as say, tulips and cheese. It’s a well-known fact that just about anything is acceptable in Amsterdam. And whilst we’re not ones to critise these x-rated shenanigans, we thought it would be fun to dig around and find some less risque activities to enjoy in Europe’s city of sin.

1. De Pannenkoekenboot (The Pancake Boat) — As a child my mom would take me on the Staten Island ferry and buy me a hotdog. I would eat it and watch the city get smaller while running around the decks looking for people to annoy. If I were Dutch, I would’ve been eating pancakes in this memory (Dutch pancakes are more like crepes). De Pannenkoekenboot is right behind Central station, ready to take you on a free ride to the north side of Amsterdam. It’s hard to miss since it says De Pannenkoekenboot right on the side of it.

2. Tuesday Night Sneak Preview at PATHE – What’s better than €6 discount movie night? Going to €6 movie night with no idea what you’re going to see! The Sneak Preview has an almost cult like following in Amsterdam, bringing out almost every social group the city has to offer, and it’s almost always sold out. People pay-up to see a movie that is more or less a surprise, although some people cheat and check the schedule online. Week after week the PATHE shows a movie that’s not yet been released, you therefore have a chance to see a summer blockbuster weeks ahead of the crowds. Dutch audiences have a tendency to be a bit, um, mellow. This is more like Times Square in ‘82; in other words, fun.

3. Wine and cheese lunch at the De Kaaskamer — This cheese shop has been here for over 150 years and it’s not going anywhere. It outlived your grandparents and will outlive you too. They are more or less cheese smugglers, as they have cheese addicts from all over the EU bringing in the goods — highest quality is assured — 100% pure. You can show up without a reservation and enjoy the best wine paired cheese tasting of your life. People come to the EU looking for experiences like this, it’s like something out of a classic movie…

4. Skate parks — Amsterdam is amazing for this, that they encourage people to go get hurt all over the place. When I first visited in ’95, I was amazed that I found a number of huge metal ramps in centrally located areas. Now they’ve stepped-up and have huge parks set-up for unlimited free usage. An ‘80’s skate-movie dream that has sprung to life… a quick visit to Ben-G’s skate shop will lead you in the right direction.

5. Museum Pass – Sure I could tell you about all the amazing museums here, there are tons, but what’s better than having more museums in one town than people? The Museum Pass, that’s what! For €25, at any City run museum, you can get a pass that’s good for over 400 local museums (including the Van Gogh). This is the best way to save money. The pass comes with a list of all the museums around town and allows you to walk in and out of any of them, as often as you like, for up to a year.

6. Vondel Park — Home to all our parents hippie memories and countless addicts who still try their best to resurrect those long-gone good old days of supreme tolerance. To you and I, a wonderful space filled with trees, flowers, ponds, junkies and all the wonderful smells those things bring with them. It really is quite impressive to go during the summer, watch the dogs, kids and addicts play. Nothing really can sum up the totally alien feeling of the organized chaos this park has when it’s in full swing. People are sunbathing naked, junkies are shooting-up and you’re having a barbeque – Good times!

7. You can ride a bike to Paris — Say what you want about the price of gas these days but when the wells run dry, the Dutch truly have it all sewn-up. The infrastructure here is so strong in its support of riding bikes, that you can literally ride a bike to Paris and back without issue or any major detour. Not that anyone really does, but options are good no? There are side roads the entire way there, and a number of decent roadside restaurants to carbo-load before getting back on the road. And don’t worry about how you smell because once you arrive in Paris, you’ll fit right in.

8. Jimmy Woo — This is Amsterdam’s attempt at a world-class club, a nice spot, with not so much attitude. One of the best things about Holland is that, for a small place it has almost everything, including its own celebrity scene. This is where they go to let their hair down. Of course any local credit that they have will be lost on you, so your chances of scoring are going to go way up. Find the local equivalent of Lindsay Lohan, ply your skills over a few lines and some drinks, land up in a Dutch tabloid and start a singing career. Or you can just get a group of your friends together and play notorious. Thursdays play well with the hipster crowd, offering hip-hop delights from some really talented local DJ’s.

9. Dine with strangers — The next best thing to having cool, connected friends in town is hiring a few. The quirky company Like-a-Local connects tourists with (hopefully) friendly locals who’ll invite you into their homes and cook dinner for you. Choose the 1930s-style apartment of a graphic designer couple, dinner on a houseboat or a traditional three-course Dutch meal in a classic canal house. These dinners are not only fun and potentially informative, but they’re a great deal too as most Dutch restaurants are outrageously overpriced. Meals range between €23 and €35 which hopefully includes enough wine to ignore the political conversation…

10. The Kröller-Mueller museum — Amsterdam is a small place, so after a few days it’s more than likely your psyche will long for open areas, out of the madness of the city center. Once you get off the train (or bus) you’re greeted by hundreds of white bicycles. Soon as you find one that is your size you’re treated to a ride through dense woods until you get to the museum, which thankfully, is in the middle of nowhere. Kröller-Muller is home to one of the best collections of late 19th and early 20th century art in the world. Which is to say, you can find gorgeous works by Picasso, van Gogh, Mondrian, Leger, and just about anyone else you might have heard about in those college art classes you thought would never come in handy. There are no cars, no noise and no distractions (other than the other bastards who have chosen to partake in this adventure).

There is no questioning that 2008 was a raucous year for hip-hop. Miami’s own Rick Ross (the boss?) was outed for being a former parole officer. The word “swagger” reached “A Milli” status, chopped and screwed in every way possible. T.I. (not to be confused with T.I.P.) created a damn near bullet-proof album and Dipset Capo Jim Jones made his off-Broadway debut. Queens emcee Nas nearly titled his ninth effort the most vile word in English vernacular, while Remy Ma was sentenced to eight years in the slammer. Young Jeezy even prophesized the forthcoming financial crisis with his third installment, The Recession, and rapper Maino’s ubiquitous “Hi, Hater” anthem stole the heart of every young rebellious teenager worldwide. And who could forget Kanye’s deeply personal, oddly-poetic 808s & Heartbreak and Q-Tip’s tour de force, The Renaissance (not always on time, but always on point).

So as the year comes to a close, the STD crew presents 10 artists (nine emcees and one producer) that will make a mark in 2009—we’ve dubbed this our “TOP OF THE CLASS” Issue. Some names you recognize and some you don’t. Either way, each artist promises to fly higher than the weather in ‘09. Let the debates begin.

B.o.B
Label: Grand Hustle/ Atlantic

This newcomer from Atlanta’s Eastside raps with more energy than a case of Red Bulls. Now with a well-respected co-sign from T.I. the sky is the limit for B.o.B. Luckily he puts a lot more thought into his music than he did into picking his rap alias.
- A. Hugh Leonard

Blu
Label: Tres

As rap names get worse and worse, the music gets better. Not many artists can drop a classic debut album without batting an eye, but that’s exactly what Blu did last year with Below The Heavens. Though the album cover looked like a movie poster for a film about a bum from the afterlife, it proved that Blu has enough talent to make him one of the elite emcees in the game in the very near future.
- A. Hugh Leonard

Wale
Label: Interscope

It’s a known fact that not a single soul outside of the DMV (D.C./Maryland/Virginia) enjoys go-go music. Actually, it’s absolutely despised by the rest of the world. Somehow D.C. native Wale thought it would be a good idea to rap over go-go inspired beats and surprisingly it sounds great! Don’t worry, go-go still sucks, but when you add lyrics from a rapper of Wale’s caliber, it’s actually tolerable.
- A. Hugh Leonard

Drake
Label: Interscope

Everybody usually pokes fun at Drake for two things: 1) he stars in a television show that’s the Canadian equivalent of 90210 and 2) he’s easily the lightest light-skinned dude on the planet. Regardless of the jokes though, Drake has talent and mass commercial appeal. If he keeps the Lil’ Wayne appearances down to a minimum, next year should be a good one for the kid.
- A. Hugh Leonard

Rapper Big Pooh (of Little Brother)
Label: Hall of Justus

Pooh has always been known as the “other” member of Little Brother, but over the last couple of years he’s quietly surpassed group mate Phonte. And now that Phonte has begun his quest at becoming the next R&B superstar, it’s all up to Pooh to hold down the fort lyrically. As long as he doesn’t take up singing as well, ’09 will be a big year for the North Carolina wordsmith.

- A Hugh Leonard

Fashawn
Label: Unsigned

Fresno, CA has never really been a breeding ground for dope emcees (save for Planet Asia), but Grizzly City’s Fashawn could change that. At only 20, he’s released six mixtapes and is dropping his debut opus Boy Meets World in 2009, to be exclusively produced my beat maestro Exile. His ferociously poetic rhymes are revitalizing the west coast narrative. Throw ya dubs up.

- Jay Wonder

P. Casso
Label: Unsigned

It’s hard to make a name for yourself in New York. Everybody is the next big something these days. P.Casso is different, though. Not the most seasoned lyricist, but the Brooklynite’s swag is indelible. Amid Jay-Z’s quasi-braggadocio persona and 50 Cent’s misogynistic rhymes, P.Casso’s narrative is not only refreshing, but mad relatable. You’ll definitely know the name by the end of 2009.

- Jay Wonder

Evidence
Label: TaylorMade/ Decon

Best known for his infectious flow as a dialed people, Evidence has long held the West Coast down. His solo debut, The Weatherman LP (a Format favorite), was noted for its quality production and verbal chemistry, but was somehow overlooked by mainstream enthusiasts. His most recent effort, The Layover EP, will have you scratching your head in disbelief—it’s easily one of 2008’s top 10 albums. The SoCalian MC proves it’s more about quality than quantity. Word to Mickey Factz.

- Jason Parham

Co$$
Label: Tres

You haven’t heard the name. Yet, anyway. Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Co$$ molded his flow after some of the city’s most heralded artists—Cube’s candor, Pac’s introspect, and Pharcyde’s laid back flow. He may not push the most units, but he’ll definitely impact the game. Backed by polished production, Co$$ is a sure bet in ’09.

- Jason Parham

Jake One
Label: White Van Music

Regardless of how dope an artist is, it always comes down to the production. That’s why Jake One is the only producer to grace our list. His beats alone are the stuff of legends. But backdropped to the brandished flow of a voracious emcee and you’ve got the makings of classic material. Like the Beastie Boys and Eminem before him, beat maven Jake One will drastically change the sound—and perception—of the genre. His soulful soundscapes will keep heads nodding well into the next decade.

- Jason Parham

We’re still ridin’ high from President-elect Barack Obama’s historic election. In that vein, we’ve decided to do a “BATTLE OF THE 40oz” issue. Genius, right? We figured that you would be partying all year long (as you should be), and what better way than to do it on a budget? Sure a 40 isn’t the most respectable drink, but in these harsh economic times, you’ll be glad we put you up on game. The list is bullet proof—from Steel Reserve to Old English, we have it all; even the cult classic Colt 45 made the list. All jokes aside: Drink responsibly kids. Well, get started already!

Bud Light
Alcohol: 4.2% | Price: $3

Yeah, it’s just regular Bud Light, but what about those nights when you don’t have the time or the money to go to the grocery store for a six or twelve pack? There’s nothing like dropping three bucks on a 40 oz. of good old fashioned American brew to achieve that desired buzz. You know…the buzz where you’re sober enough to drive straight, but if the police were to pull you over and ask you questions you’re pretty much screwed.

-A. Hugh Leonard

211 Steel Reserve
Alcohol: 8.1% | Price: $2

211 is the police code for robbery (that should be common knowledge to all you lawbreakers out there). 211 is also the code for “I’ve lost all feeling on my right side after downing a few Steel Reserves!” These beers should be sold with a video disclaimer that shows the side effects of drinking too many. At over 8% alcohol per bottle it should be in your best interest to save these for the weekend…the weekend when you’ve given up on doing anything productive with your life for the next 36 hours.

-A. Hugh Leonard

Crazy Stallion
Alcohol: 5.9% | Price: $1.75

Don’t let the name fool you, taste-wise Crazy Stallion isn’t as wild as it sounds. Aside from drinking straight beer, this is one of the smoothest 40 oz. on the market. The smooth taste is what often gets you in trouble though because it will sneak up on you in an instant. One minute you’re partying hard and the next you’re gripping the toilet like rosary beads. They call it Crazy Stallion, but your head will be riding the non-stopped Bucking Bronco if you’re not careful with this one.

-A. Hugh Leonard

Miller High Life
Alcohol: 5.0% | Price: $1.25

Everyone has seen those High Life commercials where the Miller workers come to the classy events and overpriced stores and revoke their High Life privileges. Imagine something like that going down at your local corner store. Boxes of 40’s aren’t as likely to walk out of the door uncontested when there’s a double barrel shotgun resting behind the counter.

- A. Hugh Leonard

Schlitz Red Bull
Alcohol: 5.9% | Price: $2

Not to be confused with the energy drink, Schlitz Red Bull gives you anything but wings. The only way you’ll fly after drinking this is if you begin to hallucenate (which is very possible if you down too many of these). No need for alarm though. When done in moderation, this is one of the tastiest 40’s on the market. Just don’t expect to be ready to drive long distances or play contact sports after consumption.

-A. Hugh Leonard

Old English
Alcohol: 7.5% | Price: $2.75

This is the quintessential 40 ounce. It’s been rapped about, argued over, and even brightened a couple lives (ok, maybe more than a few) over the course of its prolific career. A few pointers: Consumed best when covered in a brown paper bag while sitting on the stoop/ porch. Rapper The Game sums it up best, “Drinkin’ out a brown paper bag on my first drive-by/ I was a menace to society/ But I never left finger prints on my Old English.” Yessir.

- Jay Wonder

St. Ides
Alcohol: 8.2% | Price: $1.79

Get the “High Gravity” version. It will having you on cloud nine all night. And when you do come down (days later?), at least you will have only spent $1.79 on it all. Whose says cheap thrills don’t pay off. At 8.2%, you’ll definitely be the life of the party. L,chaim!

- Jay Wonder

Colt 45
Alcohol: 5.6% | Price: $2

This is the baby that started it all. Every 40 on this list owes its success to this cold b***h right here—Colt 45. She’s the perfect balance between hood and middle class America, street prostitute and soccer mom. Colt 45 is a vet in the game. Who else has held you down summer after summer? Colt 45 is the Jay-Z of the 40 game. Act like you know an OG when you see one. Respect.

-Lacey Duvalle

It’s VIDEO GAME week here at STD. So, in the spirit of VP candidate Sarah Palin and her 17 kids we decided to give back to the children. Not losing sight of the bigger picture as well, we’re also extremely mindful of the fiscal crisis worldwide. STD feels for you. Really. That said, we’ve provided you with the best video game finds—ever. And they’re all for under $100. We figured you’re low on funds and needed some way to waist your last few. What you need, where to buy it, and how much, all in one place. Let’s be real, your cedis, dollars, pounds, euros, pesos and pulas won’t be worth much soon anyway. Just consider this an early birthday present from us. Speaking of presents, we’re still waiting on ours from the 50th Issue. Like Billy Paul says: “Let the dollars circulate.”

Pelican Accessories Afterglow Pro Controller
Playstation 3

What’s up with these PS3 controllers that shake throughout game play? Apparently this shaking isn’t a defect, but actually a feature of the controller. But what if you could get that desired Parkinson’s feeling and have a device that lights up all in one…and for half the price? It’s almost too good to be true! So turn off the lights and begin gaming in style.

Where To Buy: BestBuy.com | Cost: $23

-A. Hugh Leonard

Tecmo Bowl
Nintendo Entertainment System

If you happen to still have your Nintendo Entertainment System in working condition (i.e. you only have to blow into the cartridge three times before the game plays) there are plenty of copies of this one floating around on the Internet. With an extravagant playbook totaling four plays (Run 1, Run 2, Pass 1, Pass2), it’s pretty much impossible for the defense to figure out your game plan. We spit on John Madden and his breathtaking graphics, live roster updates and authentic managerial modes. If this game is before your time, you probably won’t appreciate it. But for those who grew up on it: Shell out a few dollars for this blast from the past.

Where To Buy: eBay.com | Cost: $10

- A. Hugh Leonard

FIFA ‘08
Xbox 360, PS2, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS

Let’s face it, soccer isn’t very big in the United States. In fact, the professional league here in the States had to import the biggest star in the sport just to make it a little bit more popular. So when it comes to video gaming you don’t have to spend the big dollars on the small sports. Odds are most people here can’t name more than a handful of soccer players, so playing last year’s installment won’t be that big of a deal. Unless Fifa ‘09 has a side feature on Ronaldo getting caught with that transvestite prostitute. Go grab a used copy of FIFA ’08 and score goals with the nameless athletes from last year.

Where To Buy: GameStop.com | Cost: $18

-A. Hugh Leonard

Mortal Kombat 2
Gameboy

There’s no debate: the original Mortal Kombat was ground-breaking. But MK2 was the ultimate fighting game of the nineties. Who do you think gave the Tekken games all their swag? MK2 will take you back to the days of those classic Sub-Zero vs. Liu Kang battles. For only $ 3.00 how could you not indulge over all the masterful storylines and cheesy one-liners—“Get over here!” You know you love it.

Where To Buy: GameStop.com | Cost: $3

-Jay Wonder

Sonic & Knuckles
Sega Genesis

I was always a bigger fan of Knuckles (probably because of the Hater in me). So when him and Sonic got equal play on the classic Sonic & Knuckles I was ecstatic, to say the least. Two characters and two different storylines all in one. And though Tails (Sonic’s ambiguous little buddy) wasn’t featured, the game is still as timeless as the entire Sonic trilogy before it. Take that Mario Bros.

Where To Buy: JJGames.com | Cost: $6

-Jay Wonder

Wii Dual Glow Sabers
Wii

You can kick ass and lose pounds all with the same Wii accessory. Star Wars has always been an epic story. Good versus evil. Love lost and regained again. Action, suspense, and drama. Jabba the Hutt and his slutty futuristic prostitutes. What more could you ask for? Luckily Wii found a way to enhance your celestial experience. And while you’ll never have real-life light sabers, it’s always fun to pretend. Just be careful where you point that thing.

Where To Buy: GameStop.com | Cost: $20

-Ahmad Smith

Need For Speed: Most Wanted
Xbox 360

Imagine being able to street-race and not get caught. Yeah, we were a little skeptical at first too, but hear us out. As part of the Need For Speed series, Most Wanted introduces all the fun of organized chaos back into your dull life. Sure, the original is a cult classic, but this is the streets homie. After all, who doesn’t want to be the most wanted? What up Hov!

Where To Buy: GameStop.com | Cost: $20

-Ahmad Smith

I guess the late Notorious B.I.G. was right: “Mo’ money, mo’ problems.” The financial crisis has had the STD crew a little bit shook lately. Amid banks being bought out and Congress deciding what to do we weren’t sure where we would end up. Between nightmares of MarthaStewart.com buying STD out and BET writing our paychecks it’s been pure madness at the office. Rest assured though, we still found time (between bathroom breaks, of course) to crank out Issue 51. The reviews are a little nicer than usual (two 5-rated albums), but consider that our gift to you in these depressing times. Word to Young Jeezy.

Raphael Saadiq
The Way I See It

Raphael Saadiq is different than other musicians. Either he’s older than we know or he’s an absolute musical genius. Those are the only explanations for how someone can make music that sounds dirt old but at the same time makes you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. I wasn’t even born in the 50’s and 60’s but listening to Saadiq takes me way back to those times: You know, before the wheel was invented and when people went out to kill their dinner every day.

-A. Hugh Leonard

T.I.
Paper Trail

It’s always good to see artists overcome turmoil and return to prominence by releasing a stellar album—aww hell, who are we kidding? We could care less about a musician’s personal trials and tribulations as long as they keep putting out hot shit. The only problem is T.I. has been releasing crap as of late so not only was he viewed as a deviant in society but he was also on the fast track to becoming a has-been in the music industry. Luckily, facing jail time seems to have slapped some sense into T.I. and made him realize a job as a Waffle House cook isn’t the most desirable post-penitentiary job. Using a wonderful balance of life lessons and just plain fun music, Tip validates his “King of the South” claim.

- A. Hugh Leonard

Heltah Skeltah
D.I.R.T. (Da Incredible Rap Team)

If there was a hip-hop award for “best comedic performance”, Heltah Skeltah would win hands down every time. How many artists can rap about pimp slapping your mother, having unprotected sex with R&B stars and dish out homophobic one-liners with absolutely no hesitation? It’s truly amazing how such an uncomfortable listening experience can simultaneously be so entertaining. After a 10-year gap between this album and their last effort, one has to pray these guys don’t wait until their 50th birthdays to make us laugh again. If so, maybe MTV can work out a deal for a reality television series because only God knows what the world will do without new episodes of Rob & Big.

-A. Hugh Leonard

Ne-Yo
Year Of The Gentleman

Ne-Yo must be playing a joke on us. His third solo album, titled Year of the Gentleman, is ok at best. What bothers me is the title. What exactly makes Ne-Yo a gentleman? And who gave him the right to tell us how to be one? Wasn’t this the same “gentleman” who was the topic of blog conversations everywhere when a photo of him receiving fellatio from a young lady popped up on the Internet a year or two ago (Side note: I guess the rumors weren’t true)? Your mother must be proud.

-Jay Wonder

TV On The Radio
Dear Science

Hello Brooklyn! Your favorite indie-alt band from BK is back with their best effort to date. TV on the Radio’s third album, Dear Science, meshes sounds only real music purists could appreciate. Their soulful soundscape is a hybrid of new wave hooks, hipster dance beats, Afrobeat rhythms and funky production. No doubt, a true musical jambalaya. The revolution will be televised (and danced to). This is the part where you pop, lock and drop it!

-Jay Wonder

My, how the game has changed in the two years since Format’s inception. Rappers’ threatening to retire has become an industry norm. R&B and Foxy Brown are still trying to find their way. Rock is dead and John McCain is still alive. George Bush is closer to being out of the White House (What up Barack!). And yet, Format is here—50 issues deep, 50 issues strong. The STD crew salutes you.

So, to celebrate this achievement, we decided to do something special: “The 8 Worst Albums of the Format Era (2006-Now).” The list has everything, from a rap legend and a rock god to two R&B divas and a questionable hipster alt-rock band. We even threw in Colby O’Donis for shits and giggles (you’ll get the joke later). What more could you ask for? Haters, this one’s on us.

T.I.
T.I. vs. T.I.P.

2007 wasn’t a good year at all for T.I. Not only did he drop this dud, but he also got caught with enough guns to give George W. Bush a hard-on. Seriously, dude’s closet looked like the prop room for Saving Private Ryan. What the hell is he going to do with hand grenades in Atlanta? I digress. Apparently being diagnosed with schizophrenia wasn’t good for his rap career either as T.I. & Co. piled up enough garbage on this disc to make a bum grab a fork. Not sure which T.I. is going to be serving his jail time next year but hopefully it’s the one responsible for this monstrosity.

- A. Hugh Leonard

Jay-Z
American Gangster

Remember Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite? He was an old washed up loser who used to be a football star and had to reflect on his past greatness to make himself feel better. If Uncle Rico doesn’t ring a bell how about the guys who graduated from your high school 4 years ago but they always came back to hang around, thinking it was a cool thing to do? In case you’re not following, rapping about drugs is Jay-Z’s high school and American Gangster is where he comes back to visit, expecting all of his peers to be in awe of his return…not so much. American Gangster is far from a terrible album but the idea of a 45-year old man rapping about cooking and selling drugs is absurd. Until Al Pacino starts filming Scarface II, Jay-Z should ‘JUST SAY NO’.

- A. Hugh Leonard

Ozzy Ozbourne
Black Rain

This is not the Ozzy Ozzbourne you know. Rock legends set standards and blaze trails. Yet, the former architect of revolver rock sounds like a cheap, old imitation on this go-around. Grandpa-esque even. Where’s the defiance? The inspiring immorality? The rebel we fell in lust with at Ozzfest? Black Rain is like a bad, bad birthday party—complete with the drunk uncle, unruly friends and outdated tunes compliments of the whack DJ. Somebody find Ozzy his wheelchair and oxygen tank, stat.

- Ahmad Smith

Janet Jackson
Discipline

They say if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But if you’ve noticed a pattern, isn’t that incentive to try something new? Apparently not to Janet, who will not be denied the right to dish on her desires on KDiscipline. To her credit, she did embrace change to some degree by seeking new producers. Too bad they’re limited to the touch me, tease me, damn near beat me subject matter Janet’s been stuck on for over a decade. No greater proof than how tired this shtick has become than the title track—an ode to masochism and S&M in which she asks “Daddy” to make her cry. That line, like much of the rest of the album, sounds more like a cry for help than an appealing come on. While Jackson may have succeeded in again pushing the sexual envelope, on Discipline she doesn’t make a dent in the creative one.

- Michael Arceneaux

Mariah Carey
E=MC2

Though the album’s title suggests it’s a superior sequel to The Emancipation of Mimi, E=MC2 is anything but. With her now whispering about calling up Shawntae and Mae-Mae to sip Pinot Grigio (possibly the Boone’s Farm brand, since Mimi is hood now) at the club with T-Pain and complaining about a man with baby mama drama (six fold), Mariah Carey continues to regress both lyrically and vocally. When she’s not following the bird’s guide to singing R&B, she’s recreating “We Belong Together” several times—reminding listeners that she often writes about love from the perspective of a junior high school girl. Still, Mariah’s merely doing what she’s always done: Create music for the time. And if mediocre hip hop influenced radio-friendly songs is the current standard, that’s what Mimi’s going to release.

- Michael Arceneaux

Evanescence
The Open Door

Here’s a hint: When your founder/ lead songwriter leaves the band, stop while you’re ahead. Despite the commercial feats reached by the album’s success—five singles, two world tours, certified platinum in the United States just a month after its release, and, to date, selling more than four million copies worldwide—it’s content and direction was lacking. The Open Door was more like a closed door. Don’t believe me? We haven’t heard from the group since this 2006 massacre. The success of the album only proves one thing: Substandard music is contagious. What up Soulja Boy!

- Jay Wonder

The Bravery
The Sun and the Moon

The Bravery ain’t so brave. The Sun and the Moon ,the follow-up to their self-titled debut smash, is far from anything implied by their bold moniker. At least I knew going in that this wouldn’t be a classic album. And one would think when working with production wizard Brendan O’Brien—whose resume includes Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Velvet Revolver—the album’s sound would break sonic barriers. But, after all, there are three things guaranteed in this lifetime: death, taxes and the sophomore slump. Will the real Monkees-esque, New York hipster band please stand up?!

- Jay Wonder

Colby O’Donis
Colby O

It’s all Akon’s fault. We have the pop crooner to thank for introducing us to T-Pain—the half man, half court jester who stole our hearts with his smile and his voice modulator. Now we can thank Akon for introducing us to Colby O’Donis—the newest New York R&B heartthrob. Diddy and Day 26 better watch out. I mean, when you have Lil Romeo and Paul Wall on your debut album how could it not be a hit? Is the sarcasm obvious? Akon, stick to what you do best: Physically throwing your fans off stage at concerts. Aww, the wonders of YouTube.

- Jason Parham

Suge Knight and DMX are out on bail, Michael Phelps won eight gold medals, Laurie Ann Gibson is back on “Making the Band 4,” OJ Simpson was reportedly beat up by his daughter (for real!) and Usaian Bolt has, quite possibly, the coolest name in Olympic history. All is truly right with the world. Too bad the same can’t be said for the music industry. Sales continue to fall, Lil Wayne is still … well, being Lil Wayne, T.I. teamed up with Justin Timberlake for his new album (say what?), Lil Kim won’t stop making music, and Saigon’s album is still set to drop sometime this century (don’t hold your breath). Yet in the midst of all this chaos, the STD crew continues to find ways to dampen your spirits with substandard—yet witty—reviews about your favorite artists. Like Barack Obama says: “Yes we can!”

The Game
L.A.X.

Listening to an album by The Game is like listening to someone read off the guest list for a not-so-exclusive party. If you’ve ever met him—or even know someone who has met him—you probably made the list. I mean, this guy drops more names than the “with appearances by” list at awards shows. As annoying as it is, by now you’ve come to expect it from Jayceon so it doesn’t ruin the album too much. Whereas most thought that his departure from under 50 Cent’s umbrella would cause him to drown in the torrential rains that are hip-hop, The Game has surprisingly begun to rise in popularity as Curtis continues to do his best impression of leaves in the winter time.

- A. Hugh Leonard

Ice Cube
Raw Footage

Ice Cube is old. Ice Cube is a legend. Anytime you listen to his present-day material you have to hope the former prevails over the latter. With a string of less-than-desirable albums in his recent past, Cube recaptures some of his aggressive/anti-government attitude that led him to classics in the early 90’s. But like any other senior citizen, he can only keep it up for a short time before reverting back to the off-beat delivery and simplistic rhymes that had two legs and an arm of his rap career in the grave. But his latest effort looks to be enough to keep the casket open for a little while longer.

- A. Hugh Leonard

V.I.C.
Beast

Sometimes you just have to question the competence of music executives. Common sense would tell any reasonable person that after lucking up on Soulja Boy you won’t be successful with another kid from Atlanta that raps about nothing and makes his own beats. Apparently Mr. Collipark didn’t get that memo. V.I.C. makes Soulja Boy look like a musical genius At least Soulja Boy had a gimmick that was responsible for his popularity. This dude V.I.C. didn’t even make an effort to create a catchy dance to go with his music. He couldn’t have possibly thought people would like him just for his lyrics, could he? After listening to this album it’s apparent that Atlanta has yet another “V.I.C.(K)” that should be thrown in jail. Ouch!

- A. Hugh Leonard

Jonas Brothers.
A Little Bit Longer

Imagine N’Sync backed by a live band and slightly more doucebag looking. Jersey-born Jonas Brothers, Kevin, Nick, and Joe return with their third G-rated album—A Little Bit Longer—of bubblegum rock. Along with scream-worthy cuteness of every young, white suburban girl, the Jonas lads offer up their training-wheels version of vintage rock, chockfull sappy love songs and high school hissyfits. Despite the limited shelf life and artistic merits of the G-rated threesome, it’s nice to finally see Miley Cyrus has some boy toys to play with at recess.

- Jason Parham

Solange
Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams

Always being compared to your older sister must suck. Especially if said older sister is Grammy winner, platinum selling artist Beyonce Knowles. Actually, that must really suck. Besides questionable wardrobe choices, the album is pretty decent. It’s saturated in the sounds of late 60s and early 70s soul, with retro-inspired tracks from beat mavens Mark Ronson and Raphael Saadiq. If nothing else, Solange makes it very clear throughout the album that she doesn’t want to be compared to big—better, stronger, faster—sis, which is only fair seeing as there’s really no comparison. Give Solange a few more years of divatude, some singing lessons, a secret marriage to a hip hop giant and she might be on par with B—though those are some big prada pumps to fill. Still, you’ve got to give her points for trying.

- Jason Parham

Picture this: The best comics assemble from all over the world every four years to battle it out. Must-see TV, right? With the 2008 Beijing Olympics underway the STD crew decided that it was time for the Olympic committee to add a sport: The Comedic Decathlon. In the event that the IOC President responds to our 548th email and finally approves the decathlon for 2012 games we’ve been practicing:

Q: What insect is good at math?
A: An account-ant.

Q: What goes clop, clop, clop, bang, bang, clop, clop, clop?
A: An Amish drive-by shooting

Q: How are a Texas tornado and a Tennessee divorce the same?
A: Somebody’s gonna lose a trailer.

Q: Where do you find a dog with no legs?
A: Right where you left him.

Elzhi
The Preface

Unless you’re a true underground hip hop head, the mention of an album by Elzhi produced by Black Milk will draw more blank stares than Chinese arithmetic. But if you are familiar, you should know that the Detroit natives somehow avoided relentless gunfire from drive-by shootings to create an essentially flawless album. At least there is hope for Detroit youth now. If you do live to see your 18th birthday you can aspire to be a crooked politician or an underground rapper. How promising! One thing is for sure: If the Detroit hip hop scene continues to rise like its crime rates, acts like Elzhi might not be underground for long.

Reviewer’s Note: Consecutive perfect ratings (see Nas, STD Issue #47) are completely unacceptable so the names “Elzhi” and “Black Milk” seem to be ridiculous enough to warrant a deduction.

- A. Hugh Leonard

Re-Up Gang
Clipse Presents: Re-Up Gang

How many different ways can The Clipse talk about selling drugs? By the looks of things they’ve run out of ideas. And what do you do when you’re hard pressed for new tales of crack? Take songs from a free mixtape and strip them of their beats, replace them with worse production, then slightly alter the song titles, and finally package it and ship it out to music retailers everywhere and watch the money roll in. How genius is that? Who wouldn’t want to purchase a disc of recycled verses spit over uninspired beats? Sounds appetizing. Unfortunately for The Clipse, today’s technology allows people to hear records before they spend their hard earned money on them. If you really want to put as much effort into purchasing this album as The Clipse did making it just visit your local bootlegger.

- A. Hugh Leonard

Janelle Monae
Metropolis: The Chase Suite

The future of sound is here. Laden with new age soul and rooted in rhythm and blues, Bad Boy recording artist Janelle Monae sets—then resets—the standard for supreme musicianship on her debut effort. Set in the distant, and far off, future, the doe-eyed soothsayer speaks on everything—from social ills to political quandaries. Make no mistake; her music is light years ahead. Be forewarned though, if you plan on joining the unconventional sage on her cosmic journey, anything is bound to happen—ready, or not.

- Jason Parham

Shwayze
Shwayze

Hear me out at least. I’m from Los Angeles and usually root for the artist/group/band from my home state. However, this is where I draw the line. Alt-rapper Shwayze’s debut album is just plain bad. Like real bad. Besides the song titles—“Mary Jane”, “Hollywood”, and “Corona and Lime”—that remind me of good times in L.A., nothing else merits a listen to the Malibu rapper’s self-titled LP. It’s so awful I’m stopping my review here.

- Jason Parham

A.O.K.
If You Don’t Buy This CD the Terrorists Will Win

Despite the uncohesiveness between tracks and spotty production, rapper(?) A.O.K.’s solo debut is pretty decent. It’s like one long joke that, at times, isn’t funny—yet you can’t help but listen. It all begins to make sense when you realize A.O.K. is from Canada. And you have to give the guy credit; he’s definitely on to something with the album title— If You Don’t Buy This CD the Terrorists Will Win. It’s marketing genius. Who really wants terrorists to win at anything (save for the terrorists themselves)? In that spirit you should go out right now and buy the album. If not for him, at least for your country.

- Jason Parham