Songs of the Week (March 26th)

Saturday means Songs of the Week, the follow-up to one of the most popular posts on StraightFresh thus far. This week we have hot joints from Game, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Charles Hamilton, Big Sean, Wiz Khalifa and more. Hit the jump to get familiar with some of the hottest tracks occupying my hard drive. And if you don't agree then....

Game - Cali Niggas (feat. Ya Boy, Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Dubb & Eastwood)

It's true that this "Ignorant Shit" beat has been done to death, but Game and his west coast cronies go hard as fuck on it. It's better then the Jim Jones version. It's better then the Jay-Z/Beanie Sigel version. I might even be bold enough to say it is as good, if not better, than the Wayne/Drake version. Maybe. Anyway...listen and you'll see.

Hip hop trying to take the life of us *Cali Niggas*

Don't call them rappers, address them as Bill O'Reilly niggas.

I am a good dude to work with,

Destroy your life or destroy these rap verses.

Life's a bitch, but I buy whatever she wants,

And hope heaven can be my reimbursement.

Download: The Game - Cali Niggas (feat. Ya Boy, Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Dubb & Eastwood)


Red Cafe - Certified (Massive Trip Remix) (feat. Joe Budden & Fabolous)

I'm aware that many people don't like blends. "It doesn't match with the beat! It doesn't flow right!". I know I know. With that said, this is one of the best I've heard. The Budden and Fab verses were taken from the track "Family Reunion" and infused onto Red Cafe's "Certified" beat, with a mean Simple Mind's sample. The verses on this beat give them a feel that's not as grimy as the original, an upgrade in my opinion.

Money is the root of all evil I thought,

But when I'm broke is usually when I had the most evilest thoughts.

That's when the arms come out, like sleeves when it's short,

With more bullets then your favorite wide receiver has caught.

And that Randy Mossberg, will Steve Smith & Wesson ya,

The shooters pop up like instant messenger.

You got mail? Nah nigga you got shells,

And my Mac, you can't use for iChat.

Download: Red Cafe - Certified (Massive Trip Remix) (feat. Joe Budden & Fabolous)


Joell Ortiz - Sing Like Bilal (Remix) (feat. Sheek Louch)

With the original version appearing on Joell's recently released Free Agent album, the remix appeared on the above EP a few weeks before. Ortiz and 1/3 of The L.O.X. go in over an unused DJ Premier beat and leave it in ashes. The only bad part about the song is that it's only 2 minutes long.

It's so safe when you nice with the ink,

All my beef comes with french fries and a drink.

Nobody want it, can you blame though?

When you see me, scream W-A after the Y-A-O.

Download: Joell Ortiz - Sing Like Bilal (Remix) (feat. Sheek Louch) 


Saigon - Ryders (Da Ville To Da Stuy) (feat. Memphis Bleek)

Sai brings this heater from his mixtape shown above. If you can get by the first 15 seconds of fuckery, you'll be hit with the exceptionally good beat, produced by J.Cardim, and utilizing a sample from Bon Jovi's song "Runaway".

I'm holdin' my nigga M-Eazy down for real,

Cause if it was for me I know he'd be down to peel.

Couple shots from the masta masta

And I'll be laughin' atcha.

It'd be funny to see a platinum rapper clappin' atcha.

Download: Saigon - Ryders (Da Ville To Da Stuy) (feat. Memphis Bleek) 


Charles Hamilton - Prada Body Bag

It is true that Charles Hamilton has taken more L's in the last few years then most people take in a lifetime. Even though he's dropped in relevance, the bottom line is that although he may be mentally unhinged, the kid is skilled. Here's a freestyle from the Binge 3 mixtape over the "Throw It In The Bag" beat. 

With my bee stings, got you weeping.

BBM flow, get it? We-ping.

The Hamathemagician, peep my American Pi

I, give the Mic ecstasy, so Hi

Call me mallsexual, because I buy

Be you, why? No DUI's.

Download: Charles Hamilton - Prada Body Bag


French Montana - I'm On It (feat. Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean & Nipsey Hussle)

Last song for this week is a great collab involving four artists who were (at the time) relatively unknown and still building up a buzz. It's songs like this that propelled them to the place they are now and even French Montana spits a hard verse...how you gonna argue with that??

Slim type of nigga they know not to push,

Plus I got them kinda choppers leave Osama shook.

Real crook, you would think I'm some type of Bush,

Bitches open their legs so I octopus.

We just do us, you just copy them.

2 X's 1 L, we the top ten.

Download: French Montana - I'm On It (feat. Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean & Nipsey Hussle)


Locksmith - Rare Form

If you didn't know, Locksmith is one of my favorite MC's and definitely doesn't get the recognition he deserves. This is the first song I heard by him and still one of my favorites. Although in my opinion, the shots he tosses at Kanye & Wayne were just used to get his name out, you can tell by his Grind Time battles that his lyrical skills are more defined then most of the rappers in the game now.

I'm the motherfuckin' problem feeder,

And if that nigga's the best, then I'm a goblin eater.

There's whack niggas everywhere, not just here

And it's not just queers, no problem rock steady,

But will Kanye please come out the closet already?

For god sakes, it's 2009.

If you sort of like guys, just shout it it's fine.

Download: Locksmith - Rare Form