2008 was a simultaneously ridiculous and inspiring year for the two things that we here at Proper Talks love: politics and hip hop. Yes, Obama won and more talking heads of color got a moment in the spotlight, but we saw the hideously racist and immature side of a lot of Americans as well. Yes, Q Tip released The Renaissance and we actually sort of enjoyed Tha Carter III (before we got tired of it), but Busta acted an ignorant ass and the scourge that is Yung Berg wreaked havoc on our eardrums as well (I wouldn’t let that little gnome give me “the business” for a million dollars). Such is life, I suppose.

 

All in all I’d say the good outweighed the bad, but here to help us recollect all of the ups and downs of ‘08 is Virginia-based rapper Skillz with his usual year-end rap up.

 

Known for his comedic lyrics and penchant for making fun of rappers who usually deserve to be made fun of, Skillz released an album this year, but he seems to only be able to garner mainstream attention with his year-end reports. I’m sure the 2008 wrap-up will be no different. They might actually be playing it on the radio in LA right now but since I’ve given up following all of the LA station format changes, I wouldn’t know [p.s. what the hell happened to KDAY??].

 

Skillz song covers a little bit of everything– from Jo Jo of Jodeci falling out on stage, to the rise and oversaturation of autotuned hip hop. My favorite lines:

 

-Wayne sold a milli in the week, and in 7 days I got sick of the A Milli beat.

 

-’A Raisin in the Sun,’ you lied, I heard that and thought Flavor Fav had a show outside. [LOL]

 

-The system is filthy for a G, how the hell R Kelly come out not guilty?

 

 -The economy is harder than McCain tryna put his arms up/ And Palin, I aint gone discuss her, she prolly on the porch now tryna look at Russia

 

-Haile Berry, she had a baby on the low/ The best thing on TV was Keyshia Cole’s show/ lookin good Keyshia, don’t thank me, you aint the star of the show, that woud be Frankie

 

-And President Bush so hated, he went to Iraq and almost got as-shoe-sinated

 

Enjoy.

 

[If you're interested, hella sites have the downloadable version of the song. Since in general I avoid Zshare and the random tooted-up female backsides displayed on that site like the plague (don't act like you don't notice them), feel free to visit 2dopeboyz for the file.]

Tags: 2008 Wrap-Up, Barack Obama, Jo Jo, Jodeci, KDAY, Proper Song of the Day, Q-Tip, Skillz, Tha Carter III, Yung Berg, Zshare