“Back when I was young there was massive niggas, but I past them niggas just being nasty nigga.” If you read that line without context, it’s ostensibly unremarkable. If you remember when Nasir still had the “Nasty” in front of his name, it’s both a commentary on greatness and rap history. By the time Nas […]

Max Bell always preferred Allen Iverson. Today marks the re-release of Shaquille O’Neal’s rookie-season Reeboks shoes, The Shaq Attaq. If I had some disposable income—$160, plus tax—I’d be outside of Footlocker with my lawn chair and G-Pen like all of the other sneaker heads. Instead, I’ve settled for DJ Goulet’s (that one) commemorative Shaq Attaq mix, which […]

Deen is in a New Jersey state of mind. I’ve been trying to convince a good friend of mine that Nas is really God’s one and true son in the form of a rapper. In other words, he’s the GOAT and failing that, I hope to at least convince said friend that he’s worth listening […]

On a Previous Episode of the Passion of the Weiss: The Top 50 Albums of: 2011; 2010; 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 50. House Shoes – Let it Go [Tres] No best album list is complete without something from Detroit. Nowhere else is as no frills and unvarnished. It operates as a palate cleanser to remind […]

Now with ZIP File.  Download: Passion of the Weiss Top 50 Hip Hop Songs, 2012: Part II (#50-26) (Left-Click) Passion of the Weiss Top 50 Hip Hop Songs, 2012: Part I (#25-1 ) (Left-Click) Previously: Passion of the Weiss Top Hip Hop Songs — 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 Novelty Bonus – “Hot Cheetos […]

Previously: Passion of the Weiss Top 50 Hip Hop Songs, 2012 (#50-26) Passion of the Weiss Top Hip Hop Songs — 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 25. Azealia Banks – “1991” As much as Azealia Banks’s Twitter is the worst thing on the internet and the blogosphere’s obsession with her Twitter is the second […]

So the summary speaketh: Chicago bred rapper Open Mike Eagle joins Nocando and Jeff Weiss this week to discuss Mount Rapmore AKA Biggie, 2pac, Nas, and Jay-Z. The guys define each rapper’s style, talk about the importance of street anthems & pop singles, ask who had the best sense of humor, and describe which was […]

In which Deen plays God. Its been approximately six weeks since I heard and later bought Nas’, Life Is Good. In that time, I’ve probably given the album around 110 listens – top to bottom (makes me wonder how I managed to listen to anything else). It’s safe to say that like most observers, I […]

Jonah Bromwich made Rick Ross take off his sunglasses for this picture. So Nas just made one of rap’s first great mature albums. It’s hard to describe the dull anticipation that “mature” conjures up in connection to rap. At best, mature albums are  showcases for craftsmanship and deft rhyming that don’t stick in your mind […]

20. Future – Pluto [Epic] Pluto is the rare 21st Century Atlanta Rap album that is an album in the classic sense of the word. It’s an experience, an etched aesthetic that demands end to end listens, and you may find yourself scrolling back to Big Rube immediately upon completion. While Drake, Frank Ocean and […]