Wilson Pickett - Solace In Suburbia

With the recent passing of soul luminary "Wicked" Wilson Pickett, the Washington Post just published an intriguing piece on his final years living in suburbia. More specifically, an Ashburn, VA subdivision.

According to the article, one neighbor brought him muffins after his move in. Another regularly went fishing with Pickett.

Incredibly cool. Last I checked, none of my neighbors had been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Shinoda & Friends

Quick Clip:

Here's a review of Fort Minor's debut disc, The Rising Tied.

If ya didn't know, it's Mike Shinoda's (Linkin Park) hip-hop project. Pretty solid, save for some of the utter corniness he ocassionally spits. What i'm really happy about is the record serves as a major label platform for long toiling indie rap trio Styles of Beyond.


If you like Tak & Ryu's tag team rhymes with Fort Minor, try Megadef on Spytech Records. This is a write up I put together on that disc a while back for URB (scroll down).

05's Top Tracks

As promised, my picks for the best songs of '05. Audio links courtesy HipHopSite.com.


1. Common feat. John Legend & Kanye West - They Say - Geffen
"They say because of the fame and stardom I'm somewhere in between the church and insane asylum" - Kanye
"They say life is a game, so I play hard / Writing for my life cause I'm scared of a day job."
Incredible combo of Com/Kan/John with Kanye on the beat. Slammin' & sincere.

2. Perceptionists - Memorial Day - Definitive Jux
Thoughtful anti-war verses from the perspective of enlisted soldiers.

3. The Game feat. 50 Cent - Hate It Or Love It - Aftermath
Forget what these top tier rhymers are talking about, Just Blaze absolutely killed the beat.

4. Paul Wall feat. Big Pokey - Sittin' Sidewayz - Atlantic
Sort of like diving into a bath full of maple syrup.

5. Matisyahu - King Without A Crown - Or Music
This hasidic reggae rhymer busts from the heart.

6. Kanye West feat. Adam Levine - Heard 'Em Say - Roc-A-Fella
Levine's high pitched wails make the ideal compliment to the upper piano notes that grace the track.

7. Fort Minor Feat. Bobo & Styles Of Beyond - Believe Me - Warner Bros.

8. Giant Panda - 90's - Tres
Yes, this tune is a sort-of-remake of A Tribe Called Quest's lazy classic "Midnight." Since we'll never have another Tribe LP, enjoy.

9. Amerie - 1 Thing - Sony
The year's most hypnotic jam, produced by DC's own Rich Harrison.

10. Madonna - Hung Up - Warner Bros.
Thank you Abba and Stuart Price.