I'm not just a doctor, I'm a man.

The link to the music is here.

This week is all hip-hop. I realize this means losing the interest of half of my 4 regular readers, but what can you do. They are missing out. Some of the most creative songs of the past few years have been made by hip-hop artists. This mix stemmed from what was posted on the internet. I originally was not going to do a hip-hop mix, but I downloaded some great songs and had to use them and eventually all my songs were rapping. I also downloaded some new songs by DJ Shadow and Kool Keith (Dr. Octagon/Mr. Nogatco) but decided the songs of theirs from the mid-90s were better. I'm old. Also, this is rap, while I avoided the worst offenders some of it is profane and not particularly feminist. You have been warned.

Also, I realized most people get this at work, so I wanted to be sure it was available all work week. So, I'm now putting it out on the weekends so you won't be coming to the website on Fridays before I post the new one and have no working link for th eold one.

Tracklist:

Dr. Octagon - I Got to Tell You / Blue Flowers

Word spread this week of prolific and insane rapper Kool Keith recording a followup album to Dr. Octagonecologyst. For me, the appeal of rap lies largely with the quality of the beats, so the lack of Dan the Automator's production on the followup tempers the excitement. However, Kool Keith is still insane, and rappers, like dictators, only get cooler with increased insanity.

Blackalicious - Alphabet Aerobics

So after expressing my love of the beat, I present a rap song that is largely entertaining due to the lyrical delivery. I saw this song done live back in the day. It was cool. 50 cent could not do this.

DJ Shadow - Changeling

Blackalicious opened for DJ Shadow at the aforementioned show. His album Endtroducing..., where this jazzy ditty comes from is a classic, not just of instrumental hip-hop, but of all time. I heard some of the songs he has worked on for the new album. All I can say is Yikes. It's not my bag. Doesn't even sound like the same guy. I'm all for evolving as an artist, but I just don't get it.

José González - Get 'Em High / Lovestain (w/ Kanye West, Talib Kweli & Common)

My iTunes shows the song like this. I guess José must do the guitar, but calling it his song is stretching it. Part of the reason for the hip-hop mix is the recent holiday for potheads. I don't know if you heard, but many rappers, they love the weed. Therefore they make songs about it, and then white kids post them to their blogs on 4/20. Then this white kid reposts it in his mix. Who said it has no value. Oh yeah, these brilliant guys.

Gnarls Barkley - The Boogie Monster

Gnarls Barkley is the new Knife. Search the internet for glowing praise and silly photos througout the blogsphere.

Pharcyde - Runnin' (Jay Dee Remix)

Yes, Pharcyde may be my favorite rap group ever. So what, I am a nerd. The original of this opener for their sophmore album Labcabincalifornia is great. This remix, by the recently deceased Jay Dee, slows it down considerably and gives it a totally different feel. Dig.

Mr. Lif - Phantom

Back in my radio DJ days the hip-hop director was great, thoughtful guy, who happened to be a communist. He loved all sorts of anti-establishment hip-hop, like this, for the lyrical content. I just love the El-P produced track. If capatalists/beatheads like me can find a common ground with communists/word-lovers in the space of one song then maybe Mr. Lif's message is truly the way. Bomb the System!