Crib Notes

WE THE BEST? YEAH, RIGHT.

Atlanta is top dog when it comes to hip hop cities, right? Having definitively vanquished New York, LA, and, um, Houston in recent years, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of debate on this issue. But believe it or not, folks in Miami somehow think they’re the best. DJ Khaled constantly yells out as much at the top of his lungs.

And sure, they’ve got something of a case, what with top-selling MCs like Rick Ross, Plies, T-Pain, Trick Daddy and Flo Rida residing in the general vicinity. Hell, even Lil Wayne lives in Miami Beach these days. A new disc from E-Class and Khaled — the ringleader of the bunch, even if he doesn’t really do much more than invite people to his recording studio and press record — is designed to drive this point home.

Live From the 305 features South Florida folks such as Ace Hood, Trina, Brisco, Trick, Flo and ten tons of other rappers I’ve never heard of. As a regional showcase, it closely resembles Killer Mike’s recent compilation CD, Underground Atlanta, which I liked a lot.

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Jay-Z used his appearance at last month’s Summer Jam concert to perform the first single from his upcoming The Blueprint 3 album, “D.O.A (Death of Auto-Tune).” The beat is nice, particularly the improv jazz-style opening and squealing electric guitar hook, and hell, I suppose Jay’s many years of hit making give him the right to compare himself to Sinatra.

The song’s premise is dubious, however. By denouncing the robotic-sounding vocal effect that’s ubiquitous on hip-hop radio, Jay is clearly trying to stay ahead of the curve. But in the process he’s demonstrating how out of touch he’s become.

For starters, it’s clear that Auto-Tune isn’t going away just yet. Many folks have noted that Hot 97 — Summer Jam’s sponsor — was playing Auto-Tuned tracks within a half hour of “D.O.A.”’s debut. One of the song’s producers, Kanye West, is one of Auto-Tune’s biggest proponents, for chrissakes.

Still, there’s no doubt that Auto-Tune will die off eventually. As with disco and nu-metal, it will inspire a massive backlash and we’ll all get on with our lives. Personally, I’ll miss it; I’m a huge 808s & Heartbreak fan and think that, when used right, the effect can make a track bigger and more fun. I don’t think it’s a panacea for rap’s problems, but I strongly disagree with those people, like Jay, who maintain that it’s somehow harming the genre.

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1. Atlanta-based bands repped our city at Bonnaroo. (via Metromix)

2. So now we know how T-Pain wooed Taylor Swift into recording a duet. He showed her his BIG ASS CHAIN. (via Concrete Loop)

3. And we thought Usher was boo’d up for life. (via Billboard)

4. Last week Jared Swilley was dishing it out. But can he take it? He might have to after this cutesy film soundtrack drops featuring a song (”Bad Kids”) from the Black Lips. (via Paste)

5. Still beating yourself up for missing Weezy earlier this year? Well, Christmas comes early for you my friend. He’s back in Atlanta this summer with Young Jeezy, Soulja Boy and Drake. (via Billboard)

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For those who missed the debut on SNL a couple of weeks ago, here’s Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and T-Pain “on a boat.” It’s good to see the dude has a sense of humor, but if T-Pain keeps this self-satirical shtick up much longer he’ll never again be taken seriously as an artist.

I mean, hits like “Buy U a Drank,” “I’m N Luv (Wit a Stripper)” — those songs had meaning.

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Janelle Monae is one of 19 Georgia-affiliated acts to get a Grammy nod

51st Annual Grammy Award Nominees Affiliated with Georgia (list courtesy The Recording Academy Atlanta Chapter)

Shaffer Smith/Ne-Yo (6)
Born in Arkansas, Raised in Las Vegas; Wikipedia

• Album of the Year: Year of the Gentleman
• Best Male Pop Vocal Performance: “Closer”
• Best Male R&B Vocal Performance: “Miss Independent”
• Best R&B Song: “Miss Independent”
• Best Contemporary R&B Album: Year of the Gentleman
• Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical: “Closer”

John Mayer (5)
From Connecticut, Resided in Atlanta; Wikipedia

• Best Male Pop Vocal Performance: “Say”
• Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals: “Lesson Learned”
• Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance: “Gravity”
• Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media: “Say” (From The Bucket List)
• Best Long Form Music Video: Where The Light Is — Live In Los Angeles

T.I./Clifford Harris (4)
Born/Raised in the Bankhead section of Atlanta; Wikipedia

• Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group: “Swagga Like Us”
• Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group: “Wish You Would”
• Best Rap Song: “Swagga Like Us”
• Best Rap Album: Paper Trail

Trisha Yearwood (3)
Born in Monticello, Ga.; Wikipedia

• Best Female Country Vocal Performance: “This Is Me You’re Talking To”
• Best Country Collaboration With Vocals: “Let The Wind Chase You”
• Best Country Album: Heaven, Heartache And The Power Of Love

T-Pain (3)
Born/Raised in Tallahassee, Fla., Resides in Atlanta; http://www.t-pain.net/biography

• Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: “Low”
• Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: “Got Money”
• Best Rap Song: “Low”

Gnarls Barkley (3)
Group’s origin is in Atlanta; Wikipedia

• Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals: “Going On”
• Best Alternative Music Album: The Odd Couple
• Best Short Form Music Video: “Who’s Gonna Save My Soul”

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