Our favorite category has to be “gustatory.” Click here for the full-size version. [via The Daily What]

Understand Rap is like Urban Dictionary, but for exclusively for rap lyrics. As they explain on their about page,

“Since music is an art form, lyrics are open to interpretation. Therefore, multiple explanations for lyrics from different perspectives are encouraged. With a greater understanding of lyrics, the genre as a whole can grow and be appreciated and accepted by people all over the world who like the music they hear but are confused or curious because they just don’t understand rap.”

After the jump we’ve rounded up some of our favorite Blueprint 3-related explanations for your edification. Let us know if you agree with what they’ve come up with in the comments.

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Hova’s had a big year: he turned 40, he went indie, his protégé Rihanna and collaborator Kanye rode their own superstar orbits into the stratosphere. Ah yes: he also made what was billed as a comeback album, The Blueprint 3. Despite some critical rumblings, Jay’s latest has taken over the proverbial airwaves, with the popular masses blaring that one song from Brooklyn to Charleston to Berlin and dubbing it the unofficial Yankees anthem and even the new “New York, New York.” Tonight, Beyoncé’s better half will ring in the New Year with Ri-Ri on Carson Daly’s New Year’s Eve spectacular and debut a new video for “On to the Next One” with Swizz Beatz. UPDATE: Included after the jump.

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Bobby Boris Pickett’s “Monster Mash” has been a Halloween staple since its release in October, 1962. Have you ever heard the Misfits’ cover? Or the Beach Boys’ version? Even the Smashing Pumpkins gave it a spin. While these are all classics, sometimes you don’t want to rock out on Halloween; you want to listen to some hip-hop. That’s why we’ve come up with a list of ten Halloween rap songs that might surpass Pickett’s legendary tune. Add to our roundup in the comments.

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Last year, Lil Wayne took us all to the moon, dropping Da Drought 3 in late 2007, The Carter III last June, and a seemingly endless stream of verses between. He wasn’t just on fire, he was fire.

Then 2009 hit like a hangover, with confusing Kanye and Jay-Z albums and lots of auto-tune. Something seemed rotten in the state of hip-hop, and nobody could tell if rap was dying or if we were killing it. All the while, our hero, Wayne, seemed more content with rockstar dreaming in that infamous purple haze. He gave us Drake, and a few nuts lines, but be it the syrup or the guitar playing, Wayne’s year has been generally underwhelming. Who was going to save us?

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Editor’s note: When we read Sasha Frere-Jones‘ recent piece on the death of hip-hop, we didn’t have a witty comeback. What we did have was one name on the brain: Das Racist. A favorite here at Flavorpill HQ thanks to their single “Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell,” the Brooklyn-based rap duo is one of the more exciting new acts on the scene. And as the New York Times recently said, “Das Racist’s lack of piety has become an aesthetic of its own, with songs that are as much commentary on hip-hop as rigorous practice of it.” OK. We’ll turn it over to them now.

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Or as New Yorker music critic Sasha Frere-Jones put it, “Another way to revive rap… take away the music.” What do you think? How long before he’s signed? [via Sasha Frere-Jones]

Back in 1994, Long Beach, California charged onto the rap scene along with a few other West Coast hot spots. While most of the major artists from the area (Pac, Dre, Snoop) stuck with the West by signing to labels like Death Row, one rapper in particular went East — Warren G. Read More »

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