Murs - "316 Ways"

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Album Review: 9th Wonder - "The Wonder Years"

By Hardcore Critic
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Outside of J. Cole, not many people are aware of the hip hop scene in North Carolina. Because North Carolina is in the South, most expect the typical Southern sound. However, this is not the case. 9th Wonder was among the many North Carolina rappers releasing their debut albums.

9th Wonder continues to buck the trends, on his album. Already a famous producer, 9th Wonder proves he is no slouch behind the microphone either. While his album likely will not receive the same commercial support as other artists, it is definitely worth a listen. 9th Wonder's best talent is his ability to fuse different genres of hip hop together.

One of the best tracks off The Wonder Years is "Enjoy," which features Warren G, Murs, and Kendrick Lamar, as 9th Wonder is able to switch it up and come with a West Coast flow. 9th Wonder proves he is one of the most-versatile rappers in the game with his debut album. Many rappers love rapping over R&B beats, but few actually master this. Not only does 9th Wonder master rapping over an R&B beat, he also holds his own against veteran rappers, Raekwon and Masta Killa.

The Wonder Years is a creative opus and it is obvious 9th Wonder put in the quality time and effort in order to make this album happen. While other albums may be better, few will have the sheer sincerity of the debut album from 9th Wonder. Years from now, or possibly sooner, hip hop critics will hail The Wonder Years as one of hip hop's classic albums.

Hip Hop Vibe's Rating: 8/10

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Russell Simmons joins Occupy Wall Street movement

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

For nearly two weeks, protesters have been lining up on Wall Street for their Occupy Wall Street movement. With the economy slumping and a recession looming, the people are filling the streets of cities around the country. Lupe Fiasco joined the Occupy Wall Street movement a few weeks ago.

Lupe Fiasco was quickly joined by Immortal Technique. When he joined the movement, Immortal Technique said:

“We talk about democracy so much, but we have supported so many governments around the world that are the farthest thing from a democracy, as long as they give us access to their natural resources, as long as when we say jump, they say, ‘How high?' That's it.

We have employed bin Ladens' plenty of times, when it serves our purpose. We employed Saddam Hussein when it served our purposes. And I say ‘we' because we are the people that have a responsibility to change that sort of behavior in this country. And if we don't, we will suffer the same fate as everything that never evolved.”

Now, the original president of hip hop, Russell Simmons, has joined the movement, along with Murs. When he joined the movement, Russell Simmons wrote a letter on his GlobalGrind.com website.

Read the letter below:

“For far too long in this country we have allowed the rich to get richer and the poor to get poorer.

I believe in a nation where everyone gets a fair share of the fruits of our labor and where everyone pays a fair share for what they receive.

I am asking the United States government to raise my taxes and not allow the Republicans to use this economic recession as an opportunity to strip the basic programs that protect our most vulnerable.

Lastly, I am demanding that the big banks and corporations stop unduly influencing our government to make decisions that are not in the best interest of the majority of our citizens.

We need to re-examine our whole American political system that allows corporations and their lobbyists to rule over the people.”

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9th Wonder ft. Warren G, Murs, and Kendrick Lamar - "Enjoy"

9th Wonder recruits Warren G, group-mate, Murs, and the West Coast sensation, Kendrick Lamar for "Enjoy," another song off his debut album, The Wonder Years.

Listen to "Enjoy" by 9th Wonder ft. Warren G, Murs, and Kendrick Lamar below:

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Murs - "Remember to Forget"

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