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EXT. ROOFTOP

Sycosis walks out of a rooftop entrance on top of a building in the city of Chicago. He contemplates the city’s skyline.

Cut To:

INT. CONCERT VENUE

Sycosis walks onto a stage. There is no one in the audience. He stares out into the open space for a few moments and then grabs the microphone from the stand.

Those are the first few lines from the treatment of  the “Check 1,2″ video that I began writing in November of 2010 with the help of a classmate Josh who I’ve known since 4th or 5th grade. I began rapping in 6th grade (1996).

In the 15 years since then I’ve changed stage names twice, recorded 5 mixtapes, been a part of 3 rap groups, had 3-4 unofficial Rap beefs, recorded 2 albums, graduated college with a Bachelor’s Degree, lost 100 friends, gained 100 friends, had 3 full-time jobs, and contemplated quitting music approximately 1,028,015,891,234,085 times…a day.

EXT. RECORDING STUDIO

 Sycosis walks out of the studio and accidentally bumps into a man and drops the CD.

 Out of all those things and all that time, the biggest accomplishment I had up until 2 months ago was recording a song in a professional studio which didn’t happen until 2009. For me music was like a personal release and I only half way flirted with the idea of taking it seriously. If I was feeling tense or upset I could take it out on a track and be as aggressive as I wanted to be (i.e. pick any Wolf Pack Mixtape). But as I got older I started to challenge myself to do something I haven’t done and make something I’ve never made before. Whether it was to use a new flow or spit over a different kind of beat I wanted to make each song I recorded (which cost me an average of $100 a piece) be different from the last. Eventually songs weren’t enough and accomplishments became my measuring stick for success. Things like getting  a song played on the radio, or in a club, or put on sites like HipHopDx became my markers. None of them have happened…yet.

Cut To:

 Sycosis sits next to an engineer in front of a giant mixing board. The engineer mixes the track and then pops out a blank CD and writes “Check 1, 2” on it with a red sharpie.

Shooting a video was never something I thought I’d be able to do unless I struck a major record deal. I had a dollar and a dream (shout out J. Cole) to start. I ended up with 2 videos from 1 camera man (Scott) a director (Reynaldo), an editor (Mike)  and a publicist/stylist/manager/promoter/ and street team (Me).

Sycosis begins his performance and the audience gradually becomes engaged. Everyone bobs their head in unison as Sycosis continues to perform.

Everyday I want to complain about how I should have more. How I should have more respect as an artist and more exposure for my music. How I should have more people asking me to colab or respond when I suggest it. How I should have more fans on Facebook (514) or more followers on Twitter (141). Even as I’m writing this article I checked my YouTube hits on both videos at least 3 times already (about 750 total so far..ugh!) but it’s not like I’m really counting *justifies lie in head*.

He gives his last CD to a young man. The young man looks at it, smiles, and shakes his head as he gives it back to Sycosis. Sycosis looks down at the CD. “Keep Writing” is written in red

There are somethings we are artist have to be willing to face or else this industry can crush you. Maybe I’m not meant achieve all of the things  I would like to from music (good thing I got that degree). And maybe I’m not meant to be well-known. Or maybe I am and my struggle all this time will add to what I do once I get there. Only time can tell. But what I have always had is a network of friends, family, and people I love who support me and push me in every aspect of my life. As an entertainer you never really know whose listening and whose watching. Whose life you are affecting and who you are influencing. They may not ever get the chance to tell you. But we have to recognize what is right in front of us, control what we can control, and progress. Be it small or large. Just progress. And be grateful for the opportunities that we have. Thank you all for motivating me. I love you.

He looks at his phone. It displays one missed call from Ant. He picks up the phone as he walks out of the room.

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Sycosis “Best You Never Heard Of”

Sycosis “Check 1,2″

1,188,000 is the total number of first week album sales between 2 of the biggest names in Hip Hop Drake and Eminem, 741K of which belong to the prodigal Emcee Marshall Mathers. This is the first time in years I can remember two consecutive weeks on the charts having 2 different rappers take the number one spot with little competition.

2 weeks ago the world finally got to hear the debut album from the Rookie Of The Year Drake, when he released “Thank Me Later”. The most talked about and hyped new artist since 50 Cent, Drake combines witty punch lines, personal short comings, relationship woes, and ”BitchImMe-ness” while both rapping and singing. Although Drake is clearly the most lyrically talented newcomer since ______ ?(fill in the blank), his emphasis on singing on this particular project may not sit well with much of his male fan base. Even still tracks like “Up All Night” fet Nicki Minaj, “Show Me A Good Time” produced by Kanye West, and “Light Up” fet Jay-Z show exactly why he is where he is. His ability to get you hype and make you think at the same time is both refreshing and needed in Rap.

Last week the world also saw the return of Eminem…the REAL Eminem. Last year Eminem returned with Relapse, his first album in 3 years which should have been named “Just Kidding” having the ” good song” equivalent of a bad hand in Spades (2 and a possible). However Recovery is the total opposite. From the first track he goes crazy and doesn’t stop. By track 2 “Talking To Myself” he shows he is serious and wants to regain his respect the hard way, by getting his lyrics back on point. He confesses he thought about dissing Kanye and Lil Wayne for getting more attention than him, but he knows he woulda lost the battle. Other tracks like “Seduction”, “No Love” fet Lil Wayne, and “25 To Life”, give listeners the versatile and creative artist that fans were wowed by almost a decade ago. With a new found focus Eminem may be finally making a serious campaign for that Number 1 Spot (no Ludacris).

Mostly Me Poster

Since the album is entitled Mostly Me I figured who better to review it than myself. Mostly Me is the debut Re-Introduction of Sycosis as an artist. I’ve been recording songs and Mixtapes for over 10 years but this is the first solo project/CD that I released featuring all original production (the only other original project was the U.N.O. album I did in High School with Mic Terror).  This project came together with about 3 years of planning, over 40 hours recording time ,and a lot of emotion which hopefully I was able to capture within the 14 tracks. So I’ll take you on a quick behind the scenes look of how it came together, and what it all means.

Track 1 Psychosis

Over the years a lot of people have asked me how I came up with the name Sycosis, or what does it mean. I guess because its hard to pronounce and is kinda unusual I owe the explanation. I tell people how as a kid I was looking in the dictionary and found the word and what it means but people still look at me like “oooh that’s cool” not really fully grasping it half the time. So I wanted to make a song where I could show you better than I could tell you what it means.  I was a huge scary movie fan as a kid which still reflects in my work you may notice me mentioning them or even in the cover itself how it takes that approach. Produced by Audi0.Ph1le this murky or “moody” track as he calls it fits perfect into that idea so I just added some audio clips (the doctors talking) and sound effects to enhance the whole piece. Even though its the intro it was actually the second to last song I recorded, like the capstone. I think the end result is me setting the stage for Sycosis the character. Unpredictable, aggressive, but yet introspective and reflective.

Track 2 Never Fails

This track was actually recorded early 2009 by Black Noiz of Da Internz (upcoming producers and video directors from Chicago). Produced by Hearon Trackz I’m pretty sure the beat originally belonged to one of his guys but idk I had to have it so hopefully by the time he finds out and sues me I’ll be rich enough to pay him. Anyway this beat was so unique to me because it has a hard dark thud thumping baseline with an Andy Griffin whistle melody and some little weird baby sounding voice in the back ground. The beat was a contradiction that fused perfect. My idea was to make like a warriors chant of triumph. The hook has the (ayeah ayeah ayeah ) in the back ground to add to it. First verse was the setup second verse was the spike. I wanted to use some of what I learned in English class when I wrote it. So second verse has a lot of alliteration, personification, and symbolism. Especially the “transform to a werewolf so I can Liken to a Liken/Underworld (scary movie) Underground fighting like a Viking/trying to make it to the surface like Shredder/kidnap April drop in May and be grateful”. The last part is a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle reference (loved them too).

Track 3 Can’t Know

Ok here is the dilemma every artist faces. How do you be yourself and make a commercially popular song at the same time. I think Can’t Know was my answer because its a single that sounds like a single but not really. The singing  of C.B. was to appeal to women but the song actually is for men. Its about a guy being sprung on a woman who is taking him for a loop. So I think guys relate to it cuz they’ve either been there or know a guy who has and women like it cuz they’ve either done it or has a friend who has lol. But its kinda me allowing myself to be vulnerable to say damn this is all I’m dealing with emotionally with this girl but I’m gonna stick it out just cuz I can’t leave. The beat is crazy by Mush Millionz so all I had to do was show up he had already did the work but I actually revised this song about 4 times before the finished product. I worked on the concept for about a year.

Track 4 Everyday

I recorded Everyday in the summer of 2007 @ Studio Chicago my man Larry was the engineer (looked a lot like Steve Nash). That was my first time in an official studio took my cousin Boo with me (he’s been like my mentor) they got a real nice setup but they are TAXING f.y.i. Anyway this was the first beat I got from Mush Millionz who I met through Hearon. First day I met  I was with Bobby J (now Word Play). We were sitting in his crib he was smoking and thinking, smoking thinking some more then tells me I like your shit and hands me a CD full of beats. It was like Christmas. All I can say about this beat is Pianos. I watched him sequence it and was amazed. So all I could do was try to chase those pianos. It gave it a classic Chicago feel because we rap fast here (or used to) so I think I held on to it as a tribute to that style.

Track 5 Last Request

In the never ending battle of pushing myself out of my box I got this crazy sample from Total Kaos early 2009. It was waaaaay different than what I would normally do but it had so much feeling in it that I gave it a shot. I actually freestyled the whole first verse in my car listening to the beat one day and I was like whoa, yup, definitely using that. The guitar of this beat was an important as the piano in Everyday. I love natural sounding instruments so I wanted to chase it in the same way. This emo track is basically saying no matter what happens to me my music will live on.

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Track 6 Big Money Talk

True Story: I told my boy Ant Deez “I’m gonna make a song about money, but not the typical money song, like I’m gonna talk about investing, and real estate, and savings but its gonna be a banger so I can brainwash people”. That’s how the idea of this song came about about a year and a half before I actually did it. Produced by Total Kaos this beat has high energy written all over it and a lot of people don’t expect me to do a track like this, exactly why I did it. I like to bounce and blast my shit in my car just like you do. That doesn’t mean you can’t have good lyrics on those songs too. So this whole track was me saying how Big Money isn’t what you buy its what you own. My engineer Matt @ Suburban Pro Studios in St. Louis actually chopped the beat up like crazy so the finished product is totally different than where it started. The chipmunk affect was put in to add to the brainwashing affect (get it stuck in your head) but just my luck Ludacris releases “How Low” right before I drop the cd. Hater! Also you may notice this song is clean, no curse words. That was intentional. Hello radio!!!

Track 7 In Here

So THC hit me up one day like “I got something for you KING, got a nice sample like Let ‘Em Know We In Hurrr you know since yall say it country it Chicago” He brought it to the studio and I went to work on it right away. I thought this track was important too because it was bass heavy and sounds real street but the whole song is about us as REAL artist needing to stand up and let them know we still alive and in this Rap game. First couple lines sums it up “I’m a Rapper, I’m Rapper/not an actor like these rappers/who be acting like they trappers but actually they actors”. I think this could eventually be a club song with lyrics too. Who knows maybe I’ll start a trend.

Track 8 Reign Supreme

I recorded this track in 2008 as a tribute to the crew. Hearon invited me out to the studio where he works as an engineer and producer for himself and artist like Marvo and Jak Frost. This was actually the first track I got from Audi0.Ph1le and I thought it reminded me a lot of a Jay-Z blue Print 2 feel so I added the “swag right (check) flow tight (check)” in the hook. 3 of my guys in the crew are the biggest Jay-Z fans of life so I figured I’d give them one in the similar direction. This was like a motivational song for all of us who were stretched thin trying to do a million different things. Also somehow I forgot to mention my boy Arami$ at the end. I wonder if he knew all along and just didn’t say anything lol.

Track 9 Hope They Listening

The beat to this song had me feeling like Cassidy mixed with Fab on lyrical steroids. I remember when I was in a listening session with Hearon and he was playing me beats and just skipped past this one like it was nothing I’m like whoa whoa what was that yeah I need that one and the other one (which later became “Leave”). Funny thing is if you know me and any of my guys we have text message rap battles all the time from work or when driving (yeah I know sorry). So I basically had one with myself to write this song. I did the whole thing via text to myself while driving to St. Louis one night last fall headed to the studio. Fresh off of work to the highway headed to my dreams. This song to me was what I was missing. Like I know I could rap like this whenever I want but its not as meaningful to me so I don’t do it. It’s like when you know you can do a 360 do you do it on every fast break to prove a point on the court? Naw you probably lay it up half the time just cuz you know they already know. Well most people don’t know so I had to show them I could 360. Punchline songs are always exciting and this is what that was, no hook, no message, nothing deep, just straight shut up and listen.

Track 10 Fall Back

I actually was saving this beat for two  potential Rap beef situations that I was going to address but I chose to eventually let slide. One was personal the other was because of a YouTube incident. If you ever search for me on Youtube you will notice there is another guy whose videos pop up under the name Sycosis. Turns out there is a rap group also from Chicago with the same name. Ontop of that somehow they got it into their minds to think I took the name to be like them and made a ridiculously funny diss track about me. Soooo I was going to smite them from the surface of the Earth with my awesomeness but it woulda been like slap boxing a kid with no arms. Instead I made a general diss record for all internet thugs who leave comments on website and get on Youtube “Pointing pistols at cameras but aint shooting shit but videos”. But anyway for your enjoyment this is me getting merked by Carl Winslow and friends. Enjoy!

Track 11 Leave

So I know its hard to believe but it turns out that everybody raps. Not only that everybody is also rich off cocaine but still rapping. I missed the sign up sheet for that so I actually ended up with a job until I can convince enough of you that you should pay me to talk over beats (working on it). Leave is a song about trying to get away from the stress of life and working and haters and whatever else. I wanted the concept to be simple, the title to be simple, the hook to be simple, but not the delivery. I’m kinda all over the place with the delivery from verse to verse trying to bring back that kinda manic state of urgency vibe that the intro has. The horns on this song are the leading instrument to me and I went where they told me to go on this one. Away, far away.

Track 12 Here I Am

This was another one of those out of the box tracks for me. Its almost alternative music that I’m rapping over and even singing on the hook. I wanted a positive inspirational song that wasn’t corny so I decided to do a concept song about my life. So the concept of this song is me speaking as if I’m Barack Obama. I never say his name, never directly tell you what I’m talking about, you think its about me but its not. Its like me drawing the similarity of how I feel to what I think he is going through. Its like so many people look at him like he doing all this cuz he wants to or cuz he wants some kind personal recognition but in my opinion he is doing the best he can with what he was given to work with. So shout out to my president from my home town. Big ups Barack.

Track 13 Sacrifice

You ever watch a Behind The Music on someone and it shows you how they used to be then skips to once they got famous. Never explains the middle of how they met the guy who introduced them to the guy that took they music to the person who signed them. Yeah it talks about their hard work but doesn’t tell you everything they give up and pay for it get where they are at. I think that’s what most people don’t know at all which is why 90% of arguments about who the best artist is comes down to who has the most money. In reality the artist makes very little if any of the money they pretend to have. So this is a song about what I personally know that you have to give up to make it out here.

Track 14 The End

This is the first time I’ve ever done an “Outro” for a project but I wanted to make something that had that 300/Clash of the Titans – takeover the world feel. “The End” is really more like the beginning, that I’ll be back for a sequel song. It also has no hook and barely any talking before or after. Just wanted to get right to it and end it the right way. It took about 3 days of mastering to get this one to a level me and the engineer Dirk Sonic were good with. Longer than any other song. He wanted it to be powerful like the trumpets and choir effects to be cinematic. I of course wanted you to hear the words, but we met somewhere in the middle. Funny thing about Dirk is he normally doesn’t master Hip-Hop. He does works with orchestras and symphonies and does sound recording for corporations. He looks like an IT guy and sounds like a character from The Office. But he told me he felt my whole project. he said it was a story that he thought was honest and real. He said “I think most Hip-Hop is kind of posing but I felt your music was very real and made you vulnerable which is powerful.” To have a mid 30′s corporate white guy from a wealthy suburb say that  to me says it all.  No matter who you are or where you are from if its real they will feel you.

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The Roc is in the building, well not really but Freeway is still standing with his latest independent album called “The Stimulus Package”. “The Stimulus Package” sees Freeway giving the people what they want which is good music to get through these tough economic times and Freeway succeeds by keeping you entertained for the entire album. “Stimulus Package” was produced entirely by Jake-One who gives Freeway a very soulful and cohesive sonic backdrop. “She Makes Me Feel Alright” sees Freeway smooth it out which this ode to that special lady who makes you feel good versus “One Thing” which sees Freeway and Raekwon going & back forth talking about snitches & backstabbers. The best track on the album is “Money” where Freezer Freeway spits tales of the various ways that he has gotten money in his life and the beat is quite infectious. Another standout track is the creative “Stimulus Outro” where Philly Freezer spits about the fan mail he receives while also detailing certain points in his career so its an open letter to how much he appreciates his fans. Freeway isn’t a punchline rapper but his specialty is his flow and being able to ride to any beat effortlessly which he does very well on “The Stimulus Package” which is a quality thematic album and good music to vibe/zone out to…Philly Freezer is still in the building!!!

Overall: 3.75 out 5 *****

“Til The Casket Drops” sees the return of the Kings Of Coke Rap in The Clipse for their long-awaited third album. The Clipse claim that this album is “Hip-Hop on Steriods” aka every song will have you juiced and like always the Clipse don’t disappoint. From the beginnning to the end, this album is filled with unbelievable next-level production along with realest street tales on how the life of drugs, money, girls, and material things can affects one’s psyche. The album begins with “Freedom” which see The Clipse contemplate how the rap/crack game has affected their family and the mistakes they have as they ask for freedom. The very next track is the instant head-nodder in back by “Popular Demand” which everyone loves and Malice (bald-head one) kills the last verse with lines such as “Money and hoes, it’s deeper than that/Fight the temptation, but it keep comin’ back/Money stack to the ceiling just as quick as it dispense/Who knew those commas meant you could lose your common sense?/Before it’s too late, all I can tell ‘em is repent.” “Kinda Like A Big Deal”, “I’m Good” and “Showing Out” are all huge ego boost songs that make you feel good about your day and living the life of stunting on people. Which leads us to “Door Man” which is another dope boy & baller anthem which should be played at very high volumes with the windows down especially come summer time.

“Champion” which is an anthem for life to live by for success and is a song that will be on repeat for a very long time and Pusha T (the one with braids) spits money to blow lyrics such as “Hold up that rose’, pourin half the bottle out/If you from where I’m from, you know where I’m flowin out/Overcame the odds, so we overdue them cars/We done balled around the world, now we reaching for the stars.” As the album ends, “Footsteps” is the cautionary tale track where The Clipse tell you why following in their footsteps might not be the way to go because it’s not as sweet as it looks as they beg all who hear it to listen before choosing the streets. Overall, this album is a slight departure from the normal punchline heavy Clipse you expect but their rhymes still give you food for thought and the features from suspect rhymers such as Camron & Yo Gotti are on point like wait a sec, did Cam & Gotti come off as tight, yes they did. The dynamic duo plan on doing this “Til The Casket Drops” which is another banger of an album added to The Clipse resume with superb production, tracks that can be soundtracks to your life, and great introspective lyrics from the best duo in rap….Clipse have another hit, Barry Bonds!!!

Overall: **** out of 5


Its been a long time, I shouldn’t have left you/

got more lines than college classes I slept through/

Speakers hit harder than stages frats step to/

doing this a while I could call Snoop nephew/

I’m a refuge they looking for me to rescue/

What The Game’s been missing no Santana but I’m next dude/

Really I’m right now why wait on the next dude/

King to Rook look I’ll take you out for my next move/

And that Mostly Me album on the way/

meanwhile that Ryan Leslie my album of the day/

I’d rather listen to singers than hear weak rappers/

Really I blame yall with no support they not a factor/

But I guess they entertaining hell even I laugh/

bout to link up with Deez again to even out our Math/

that mean get the money right, its funny tight lately/

Loaded Deck on the table don’t get dropped like McGrady/

And everything I drop you know it pop like Shady/

And this is strictly for my N words like Pac/

What I think can’t be put in words or a box/

Can’t categorize, bet I capitalize/

This is SycosIs, yeah a capital I/

In So You Want To Be A Rapper 101 on SycosisMusic.com I outlined how to do the first essential step in becoming a Rapper which is picking a stage name or alias. In this installment I present to you the second step which is “Picking A Lane”. All that means is chosing the direction in which you would like your music to go. This includes

1. Your Style: Your voice, delivery, and lyric/song structure

2. Your Content: The things you talk about; subject matter

3. Your Likelys: The people you are mostly likely to be compared to or in competition with

There are a dozen categories your music can fit into and if you are talented enough you can do a little bit of everything. In fact most rappers use at least 2 lanes on a consistent basis. One for their singles, one for the majority of their projects. We’ll get back to these 3 components of a Lane in a minute but first let’s identify what the Lanes are.

What “Lanes” are there in Rap?

Currently I would say there are 5 major Lanes with other sub categories that Rap falls into. I identify them as…

I. Street Lane: (Young Jeezy, 50 Cent, T.I) The ”Street Lane” is the most notorious and also the most overused lane that exist in rap. It includes content of violence, drugs, gangs, guns and in general tough talk. As a younger rapper you probably learn this lane first because the expectation is that the streets must embrace you and respect you first. The Street lane can be diverse if used properly. It originates in stories of overcoming poverty and adversity generally from the perspective of a young black male. However if used incorrectly it can glorify the worst parts of society. Two major subdivisions of the Street lane are

A. The Battle Rapper Lane (Murder Mook, Cassidy, Serious Jones) This lane has an emphasis on one of the fundamental elements of Hip Hop, the battle. In order to improve in the ranks as an upcoming artist, sometimes you have to lyrically assassinate another man’s character with carefully crafted sharply pointed punch-lines. Due to the fact that most battles are performed impromptu and live in front of  an audience, an emcee can hone his skills of performing, stage presence, and crowd control through this lane. But be cautious, battle rap is an Ego sport not to be taken too seriously get too into this lane and you could end up a Rap Beef fiend always looking to show he’s better instead of letting other people tell him.

B. Psycho Lane  (DMX, Eminem, Ludacris) This lane can cover anything between demented crazy or dark music to overtly silly and exaggerated funny songs. The key to this lane is to use the unexpected as an advantage. Say what you think people aren’t expecting and it will pay off as long as you not too damn weird.

II. LL Lane: (Drake, Fabolous) The opposite of the Street lane is the “LL Lane” named after its founder LL Cool J. The LL Lane has a softer focus with content of relationships, love, and sex. Drake is probably the best new example of this lane. Even tho he doesn’t take his shirt off onstage he has a large female fan base from his subject matter and look. Although like I said most rappers have at least 2 lanes they are good at. Fabolous would be all out of place in this category until you consider his singles/features dating back to the start of his career.  Take  “Throw It In The Bag” or “You Make Me Better”  for example.  This lane isn’t to be looked at as a bad thing or soft. In fact women represent a large amount of people who actually BUY albums. So if you don’t know by now have a track or 2 that’s a banger for the ladies and you will find success. Just don’t over do it i.e. Ja Rule

A. Lil Kim Lane: (Trina, Niki Minaj) A subdivision of the LL lane is the female version where the majority of the lyrics and the buzz are  based on sexual lyrics of promiscuous nature. Sadly most new female rappers automatically jump into this one for acceptance but some actually show they can spit good lyrics on top of being able to give you wet dreams.

III. Dance: (Soulja Boy, New Boyz, GS Boyz) Although a lot of so called “True Hip Hop” heads look down upon this lane we can’t forget that some of the biggest records ever in the history of Rap were intended for parties. The problem is when it becomes a gimmick and the dance is more of the point than the song is. Nevertheless your good club song may or may not need its own dance to get popping nowadays just keep in mind once you choose this lane people aren’t too accepting of you doing anything else afterwards.



IV. Conscious: (Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Nas) Conscious Rap is almost a taboo lane to get into probably because the people that are associated with the lane in some cases are extreme. Not all conscious rappers are too deep to understand or too abstract to relate to the hood. In fact I would argue any artist who is introspective about his life or emotions is a conscious rapper. I could easily add Tupac to the list (although his dominant lane was Street) as well as other contemporary artist like Joe Budden, Kanye West, and the previously mentioned Drake. The key is to be versatile and you can use this lane as the most powerful form of Rap.

V. Pop: (Kid Cuddi, Flo Rida, Black Eyed Peas) As Hip-Hop expands to new frontiers (and sells less than it did before) innovation is bound to occur. The last 2-3 years has seen a dramatic increase in the amount of Rappers that don’t necessarily remind you of Rap in all genres. With the highest selling album of 2009, you probably don’t think of Black Eyed Peas as the same conscious Neo Soul Rap group as they started as. A small change in the line up (Fergie) and  some minor adjustments to tempo and now you have a Pop Rap Super Group known across the world that you won’t probably ever even hear on your Rap radio station.

Not your average club joint. Producer Trifeckta’s crazy beat plus Rocky’s signature delivery combine to create an STL anthem. Put the top down, turn the stereo up, and get ready to ride out. Download “Hater Invitational: (Shooting Star).”

So it’s that time again where we at Mic Hype like to recognize the Best of The Worst songs, artist, trends, of 2009 that somehow became popular even though we know its terrible. Here are the nominees.

Best Worst Slepted On Album: Young Jeezy “The Recession”. Although you might not realize it but this album was one of the few in distant memory that had 18 songs with no fillers. You literally could listen to the whole album and not skip any tracks (did it twice on the way home from STL). In fact it was so good that the lead single “Put On” fet. Kanye didn’t show up til #16. A true sign that in how confident they were you would listen to the rest once you started.

Best Worst Popular Artist: Gucci Mane. Although I gave his album review a pretty descent rating for effort I still think Gucci wins the title of Best Worst Popular artist simply off his “least amount of skill to most fame ratio” meter. Although I have a feeling his boy Wocka Flocka Flame maybe in the running next year if he keeps going.

Best Worst Fashion Trend: Skinny Jeans. If you are a male and or over 18 I think there should be a law against this trend (my personal opinion). The only thing worse than seeing a guy in skinny jeans, is seeing a guy in skittles colored skinny jeans. UGH

Best Worst Music Trend: Auto Tune. Even though this software has been around for a couple years Auto Tune got so popular this year that it got its own rap beef with Jay-Z on “D.O.A.”. I guess now it has some street cred.

Best Worst Saying: “It Aint Tricking If you Got It”. Probably the single dumbest saying in a couple years. It’s only  tricking if you got it. If you don’t got it, it’s called fronting.

Best Worst Celebrity Criminal: T.I. Even though the story has been overly covered you gotta think getting arrested the night of an awards show for buying enough guns for the Iraq War is pretty amazingly dumb.

Best Worst Comeback Album: Eminem “Relapse”. After a several year hiatus probably the most talented Rapper of the Decade released one of the worse rap albums of all time. Still going multi-platinum though, go figure.

Best Worst Rap Beef: 50 Cent and Rick Ross. The funniest beef in the history of rap only had about 2 actual dis songs. The majority of the battle was YouTube cartoon videos and radio interviews. Rap battles aren’t what they used to be.

Best Worst Hair Style : The Mohawk. Maybe I’m racist but I personally think the Mohawk and Mullet are the two most “Non-Black” hairstyles a person could wear so I’m still confused of how this became popular in the hood when we got teased for a Bald Fade in the late 90′s. Not fair man, not fair.

Best Worst New Artist: OJ Da JuiceMan. A close race for this one but I think OJ is slightly worst than the competition off the fact of he uses the same two adlibs in every song he has ever made “Eh” and “Ok”. Come on even in the early days of over used adlibs Jeezy at least had a good 3 to swap in and out. “Thats Riiiiiiiight!!!!”

Best Worst Dance: The Stanky Leg. I don’t know what kind of person you have to be to wash everything except one leg until the point that it stinks and you want to leave it behind but hey, who am I to judge.

Best Worst Accessory: Afgan Scarfs. Also known as “Swag Rags” got popular for a quick second then thankfully faded. Maybe next year the Koofi will make a comeback.

Best Worst Role Model: Lil Wayne. With a cup full of every pain-killer known to man, 3 seperate current court cases, 3-4 baby momas, and a tattoo on every visible piece of flesh available, Lil Wayne is the single biggest threat to your teenager. He’s the guy you don’t want your son to be and would have a heart attack from if your daughter brought him home. And guess what, they both love him!

Best Worst Thing You Bought Because Of A Rapper: Ciroc Liqour. Last year it probably was Vitamin Water but I give this year’s winner to Ciroc by Diddy himself. If you think about it 90% of Vodka’s taste like rubbing alcohol anyway so might as well get the $11 bottle of Svedka or Seagrams instead of the $30+ bottle of Puffy Juice.

Best Worst Disappearance By A Rapper: Shawty Lo. “Damn Homie, last year you was the man homie..”. After the career ending “What Up” video by T.I. the most popular rapper in the streets in 08′ is probably back in those Bowen Home projects right now.

Best Worst Video For A Popular Song: Drake “Best I Ever Had”. The biggest buzz for anybody since Lebron came into the NBA sorta fizzed down after the release of this boobi- filled, scriptless-metaphor of a video about making a bunch of different girls feel like they your star player. I’m pretty sure 99% of the female population didn’t get the message, once the seemingly sweet song turned into a video girl tribute.

Best Worst Debut Album: Asher Roth. After the Don Canon hosted “Green House Effect” Mixtape, I along with many other were excited about Asher. Unfortunately the best song on the album was the one where he talked about being compared to Eminem which he showed he didn’t have 1/4 the talent.

Best Worst Flopped Album: Slaughterhouse. The rap super group built a huge Internet following with sick freestyle after murderous verse. Unfortunately poor promotion, limited distribution, and a left field single (that’s actually tight but unexpected) saw the group’s sales in the 40k range first week. Probably 300k-400k less than expected but when your biggest fans are online, expect your shit to get downloaded not purchased (note to self).

Best Worst Hip-Hop Related Website/Blog: Media Take Out. MTO is the gossip capital of the world and even tho it mostly consist of images with big exaggerated captions its still hugely entertaining, even if its no real writing.

Best Worst Hip Hop Magazine: I don’t even know maybe Vibe? Maybe its me but I don’t even know anyone who actually buys magazines anymore but the reason I picked Vibe is because it’s probably 40% adds.

Best Worst Hip Hop TV Show: The O’ Reilly Factor. Probably the only person more annoying to talk to/about rappers than Terrance and Roxi is Bill O’ Reilly. With disputes from Ludacris to Snoop, Bill O’ Reilly is the embodiment of an important Hip Hop subculture…The Hater.

Best Worst “Kill YoSelf” Moment: Kanye West. Every time Kanye is about to take the crown as the best rapper he totally F’s it up. Last time he released “808′s and Heart Break” this time he pisses off the whole world by “goon style” defending Beyonce’s single lady video in the middle of Taylor’s acceptance speech. Don’t know how he gonna come back from this one, hopefully not a Rock album like that one guy.

Let me know your Best/Worst