Listen: RAP DEMON - Shiitbagg

Shiitbagg comes fresh off the plane with a brand new freestyle, RAP DEMON.

You could have guessed the beat is the MGK's diss to Eminem, Rap Devil. Here's the difference: Vqrhees killed this beat. What I love most is that he doesn't adopt anyone's flow here. In fact he keeps changing it over and over without making a hook. I think the best rap is when the artist doesn't have a chorus.

"I am not a saint, I'm a demon, 

You are not a thug, you a deacon. 

Came up from the mud, I was bleeding, 

I don't f*ck with 12, I ain't speaking."

Let's be real: The Neptune upstart can flat out spit. Don't believe me? Check out his newest project, Metal Gear Solid. In fact, look out for our A-Side B-Side Podcast Interview coming out soon.

Listen: Walk on Water - @Eminem & @Beyonce

I must have listened to this song a handful of times every day since it released. I didn't really want to write about it but it's not everyday Eminem and Beyoncé drop new music.

In fact Walk on Water is their first collaboration together period. You haven't lived under a rock you know all about this so I don't talk your ear off. What I even heard is it took a nudge from Hov to get her to sing on this record but the message is so important.

"Cause I'm only human, just like you

Making my mistakes, oh if you only knew

I don't think you should believe in me the way that you do

Cause I'm terrified to let you down"

Yes, Beyhive I'm sorry your Messiah is a human too. Marshall Stans too. Marshall takes us on a trip after the days he washed the blonde dye out and when he left the game for a few years. Em has always been a great storyteller and gives great introspection. This song sounds like a part two to When I'm Gone 12 years later. Just a little less anger. In fact I thought I pressed the wrong button because the music was piano chords and no percussion. Still, both artists floated all over this one. Em's next project is looking more promising than his last two offerings. Listen to walk on water after the break.

YMCM or Bust

For awhile I was thinking rappers on the tail end of their careers were just headed to the money.

Nothing wrong with that, especially when you've contributed to the art the way Busta Rhymes has. Yesterday, he announced we would be parting ways with YMCMB after one album, Year of the Dragon. To be perfectly honest I couldn't tell you two songs off that album being that I did not listen to it. Don't mistake me saying that for it was a bad album, I just wouldn't know.

People didn't like the move to YMCMB from jump. I'm not saying that is a sell-out label but I know a few bloggers who'd say it is. Busta Rhymes had come off success with Look at Me Now with Chris Brown and signed a huge contract with them and Google play. The money was probably right and it's hard to say no to that. He described it as "A Milestone in his career thus far." It's funny the most paid man in YMCMB (and 4th in hip-hop according to Forbes) has the least to do with the music (Not taking away from how hard he works as a businessman but I'm just a music fan). Oh well I guess...

It hurts to say it but many label Bussa Buss as the greatest emcee without a GREAT album. Many singles come to mind but no great project when you think about it. YMCMB wasn't really gonna do it anyway were they? The lead single King Tut did fairly well being that the album was a free download, thank you Google. Thank You featuring Q-Tip and recently Calm Down with Eminem might be the best thing to happen to Busta Rhymes since signing his contract anyway. Oh well, all in all both parties agree and there are no hard feelings. Busta Rhymes went on Sway in the Morning and described the issue to be "Creative Differences." You can catch the interview here (via youtube).

#AOTY 2013 Number Four The Marshall Mathers LP 2 by Eminem

 Another emcee returning to the microphone was the Rap God himself, Eminem. I must admit at first I really wasn't feeling this project. I even fell asleep the first time through prematurely deeming this album Nap-Time music joining a host of artists that include Toni Braxton and Jill Scott (don't murder me I just don't feel their music like the rest of you all, doesn't take away from their talent though). Anyways, the second, third, and eighth listen had me hooked. The LP didn't make my personal list for previously mentioned reasons but the panel couldn't refuse the album. My bias opinion still doesn't take away from the judging categories by lyricism, uniqueness, production, popularity, and album sales. With that said, The Marshall Mathers LP 2 was one of three hip-hop albums that went platinum in 2013 (The number one and two albums on the list were the other two respectively). In an age where record sales are declining going platinum is more than impressive, especially when he hasn't dropped a solo album in almost two years.

The singles on this record were solid. Lots of listeners couldn't wait for this record to release. The Monster with Rihanna and Survival featuring Liz Rodrigues were nice radio friendly cuts. Over all the years he still keeps the same angry but conversational flow crossed with a catchy hook. Bezerk and Rap God were good but not great songs.Many people also enjoyed his song with Kendrick Lamar, Love Game. Both had solid verses that kept in context with the song title and story. What I respected most about this album was the features. Unlike many artists this year, he didn't overdue the amount of tracks with featured artists; he showcased his own skills.

People say the sequel is never better than the original. In this case I agree but it was still the third best album this year. Marshall Mathers II got 4 out of 5 stars on the Ramsey Rating Scale.