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This week I have been keeping it real trill... 

I wanted to do something a little different in light of the Oscar Grant tragedy and the Johannes Mehserle trial, so instead of reviewing one album I wanted to talk about some songs that were written in response to the situation.

First I want to talk about Mistah F.A.B.'s My Life produced by Amp Live of Zion I. If you have ever really listened to F.A.B., you know he can rap about relevant issues, not just about riding the yellow bus. My Life is one of his best. My Life is a heartfelt tribute to one of Oakland's own; Oscar Grant might as well been F.A.B's brother because he pours his heart out on the track. My Life is not just about one incident, but the song questions the whole system, and why it is so hard to change. Mistah F.A.B. even ask the question why is this opression of minorities still happening when there is a Black man as president? Powerful and relevant all at the same time; Amp Live and Mistah F.A.B. did an excellent job with My Life it is a testament to the young mans life.

AP9 of the Mobb Figgaz has a more aggressive "street" approach to his Oscar Grant tribute, entitled Oscar Grant Tribute off his I Am Legend album.  AP9 rallies all races and people to fight back against the power and the police. AP9 realizes that it needs to be a united front to make a change. I think that he has it right, unity is the answer. Oscar Grant Tribute is one of AP9's deepest and best songs to date, but it is sort of sad that the killing of Oscar Grant has to be the trigger for these artists to make some of their best music.

Many other Bay Area artists have come out publicly to speak on the Oscar Grant situation including Too $hort, Beeda Weeda, Zion I, and J. Stalin. I would like to say also that the "riots" after the verdict was read were totally fabricated by the media, the real citizens of the Bay and Oakland kept it peaceful. Much respect to that!

Keeping it light, this week I have been slappin' Laroo's latest release, Live By Night. Live By Night was released on July 13, 2010 by Sick Wid It/Timeless and features a wealth of Bay artists such as E-40, Andre Nickatina, Ya Boy, Beeda Weeda, Big Rich, and Clyde Carson. I have never really listened to a lot of Laroo before, so I really don't have anything to compare it to, but you best believe I will soon because Live By Night is hard as hell! Live By Night opens with Top Spot featuring E-40 and Mic Conn, which is a victory slapper. I like to call it a victory slapper, because when you play this song you feel like you're winning. Live By Night quickly moves into one of my favorite tracks Show Me Sumthin' featuring Clyde Carson. Clyde really doesn't rap on the track, just sings the verse but, this allows Laroo to straight murder the beat. Heavy hitting drums and crunchy synths make Show Me Sumthin' an official Bay slapper. If you didn't know that Laroo was from the Bay, after Show Me Sumthin' you will. Then there is the club banger Put Me On (Remix) featuring Andre Nickatina and E-40. If you haven't heard this song on KMEL or in the club, you haven't been listening. I also think this the first appearance for Nickatina and E-40 on the same track. Leave me a comment if I am wrong. Of course there are a few tracks for the ladies including Take A Shot, and All Night. Both tracks have real laid back beats to them that make them real smoothed out jams. The ladies must love them some Laroo. Other bangers on Live By Night include Blood Shot Eyes featuring the Jacka, Bone'n featuring Beeda Weeda, J. Stalin and Big Rich and The Company I Keep. I became an instant Laroo fan when I played Live By Night, it's that good. Go out and cop this new joint from Laroo.