| Hip Hop Tournament- The West Coast |
| Welcome to the final leg of the 1st round of the hip hop tournament here at Illuminati 2G. Today we are going to check out what is up with the West. With the impending rise of Tha Row, to growing dynasties at Doggystyle Records and Aftermath, the west is ready to hit the world with a fresh, new sound for the millenium. Here are some of the heavy hittters that are making noise on the west... |
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| If you do not know the artist Crooked I, you will know the name by the end of the year. Arguably one of the most talented lyricists on the west coast, Crooked I is the top artist on Tha Row. A quotable waiting to happen, Crook does not have any weaknesses other than we will have to wait and see if he can be marketed properly to blow up. But knowing Suge Knight, he will go to extreme lengths to make Crooked I a household name. Be sure to cop his new album this summer! |
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| Much like Crooked I's situation, Xzibit was in the same situation a couple of years ago. But now that he has a double platinum album under his belt, X is no longer a underground talent. A ferocious mc with a witty personality, X is poised to take the top crown out west with his 4th album, "Man VS The Machine". Dre will once again executive produce the album, so you know that it will be on point. Now that Kurupt is on Tha Row and DPG is now a afterthought, Xzibit would be a nice replacement for Daz and the DPGC. |
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| You cannot talk about the west and not bring up Snoop Dogg. He is becoming a smart businessman with his own movie company and label. His last album, "Tha Last Meal", is now 2X platinum and he is working on a new album, "Paid The Cost To Be The Boss", which will come out this year. His skills have diminished over the years, but Snoop still got it and if you doubt it just listen to the song "The Wash" with Dr. Dre! Now only if Snoop can put songs like that together for a whole album, then like Jay Z said, you are going to witness a dynasty like no other. |
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| Ras Kass has to be one of the most screwed over and still slept on artists on any coast! His "Van Gogh" album has been shelved more than canned goods in a grocery store, but the extra time has given Ras the added push to get Premier and Dr. Dre to add more beats to the album. Airtight and waterproof as he says he is, Ras Kass is probably only second to Rakim, the most gifted lyricist to come around so far. Now it is just a matter of time and promotion that is keeping him from being one of the best to ever do it. |
| Other Notables: Kurupt, Tha Liks, Ice Cube, DJ Quik, Dr. Dre, Daz, Rakim (although he is East Coast, he is with Aftermath) Blackalicious, etc Winners: Crooked I VS Xzibit- This is just too close to call, but if I had to pick an artist I would go with Crooked I and give him a edge on skills (slightly) Ras Kass would kill Snoop rapping so Ras moves on, and I pick Ras Kass over Crooked I slightly in the skills department as well. Check back later on as we will have the final 4 of the tournament and crown a new champion soon after. |