Saturday Night Video: Hip Hop is NOT Dead

I’ve been meaning to get a quick The State of Hip Hop post up for a minute – for the first time in a while I’m pretty excited about some new album releases and some up-and-coming stars.

Let’s begin with the miracle that is Nicki Minaj, the sickest new female MC to emerge in at least a decade.  She combines clever wordplay, an aggressive flow and a habit of speaking in tongues on the track.  The resulting mixture is irresistible.  For a reference point, consider the song Monster.  It features Greatest Rapper Alive Jay-Z and it’s on Kanye‘s album – but Nicki eats both of them alive on the track, it’s not even close!

She’s big but she’s about to get huge when her debut album, Pink Friday, drops on November 23rd.  You heard it here first.

I also need to mention the fact that Jay Electronica‘s debut album, Act II, could be hitting any day now – he is literally afraid to put it out because of how high the expectations are.  His song Exhibit C became an overnight sensation, the hottest underground jam in, like, forever.  This kid, from down-south but with a Brooklyn flow, went from being homeless and sleeping on the train to being the most anticipated new MC in the game overnight.

Put the album out already, Jay, we’re dying to hear it!

Finally, I’ll give Eminem and Lil Wayne a quick shoutout; everytime these two get together it seems like there’s a contest afoot in terms of who will have the hottest verse.  The latest collaboration, on Em’s disc, is called No Love.  It’s fire and I’d have to call it a tie.  The video, which premiered a week ago, is below so you can judge for yourself:

Have a great Saturday night, everyone!