A Seriously Happy New Year
Fuck 2007, 2008 is where it’s at. It’s such a great time to be in DC right now. First and foremost, the Redskins are 4-0 since burying Sean Taylor and look nigh-on unstoppable heading into the playoffs. A month ago I would have laughed in your face if you told me the Redskins would be in the playoffs, let alone looking like the most dangerous team in the NFC, but here we are cruising into the post-season on the strength of Todd Collins’ ridiculously hot hand and the sudden resurgence of Clinton Portis and Santana Moss as two of the most explosive offensive threats in the league. I mean, Todd Fucking Collins, people. Dude hadn’t played in ten years and now he’s orchestrated one of the greatest late-season turnarounds in NFL history. Amazing.
So yeah, obviously my DC pride is out of control right now, so I can’t help but get excited about the fact that the next great thing in mainstream hip-hop looks to be DC’s own Wale. My main man Zack got me way into him over the Thanksgiving break and his big single “Nike Boots” is everywhere on DC radio, and you really can’t listen to this guy and tell me he doesn’t sound like the next Kanye. Furthermore, he’s signed to Mark Ronson’s Allido label and seems to have impeccable taste in the tracks he remixes if his 100 Miles & Running mixtape is anything to go by. I know it’s a departure from the kind of shit we’re normally up on around these parts, but “Nike Boots” is as good a rap single as I’ve heard all year and his “D.A.N.C.E.” remix is just all kinds of amazing. Get at “Nike Boots” below, as well as that “D.A.N.C.E.” remix, which just might be my favorite Justice remix of the year (I know, call me crazy). I’d be lying if I said my heart doesn’t melt a little bit every time I hear that “I love you DC” right before the beat drops and that go-go beat he brings in at the end is just icing on the cake.
MP3s:
“Nike Boots” - Wale ((highly recommended)) [Alternate Link]
“W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.” - Justice ft. Wale ((highly recommended)) [Alternate Link]
In other news, Rya’s back and better than ever and will have her Best of 2007s all up in your kool aid tomorrow, and my lists will be following shortly thereafter.