Sometimes...

My top emcees in the last 5 years are Crooked I, Royce Da 5'9", Ab-Soul & Sha Stimuli.

Everytime I hear a Crooked I verse, my response is always the same, "Crook is a beast!" He literally destroys every collabo that he is on. I can remember a Bishop Lamont track where he had a who's who posse cut from the West Coast and at the end he remarks "you n*ggaz are lucky I didn't get Crooked on this track!" The guy is a monster.

Ever since I heard Royce on "Scary Movies" & "Nuttin' To Do" he intrigued me. To some Eminem destroyed him. To me? He held his own. The only rapper to feature on Eminem's debut album, his debut album was ok, he had label and personal issues and for me his albums were good but you could tell the talent was there, but like a fine wine, he gets better with age! The new "PRhyme" album is superb and is something I constantly listen to.

Kendrick Lamar will take the plaudits, but for me, Ab-Soul is my personal favourite in TDE and I must admit I caught on to him very late. "Control System" to me was amazing and went backwards in his catalogue to listen to his other albums. To me, he is definitely underrated and one of the top 5 emcees in this moment in time. "These Days,,," is one of my top 5 albums of this year and his battle with Daylyt on the hidden track showed his diversity and was easily one of the best tracks I have heard this year!

Sha Stimuli is another emcee I caught on to very late. He had released various mixtapes until his official debut album "My Soul To Keep" which is what captivated me to listen to this emcee from Brooklyn. A couple of years ago he released the Rent Tape Series where he would release a mixtape every month about a certain topic. I would listen to them, let his rhymes marinate in my head and eagerly anticipate his next release.
For me, he doesn't get the shine his talent truly deserves and for me he is definitely a better emcee than your mainstream Rick Ross or your 2 Chainz.

When I was in the darkness and battling certain demons, there was a Sha Stimuli track that I would listen to nearly every day which captured my persona back then personally.

"Sometimes I rhyme slow, sometimes I rhyme quick
Sometime I love rhyming, sometimes it gets me sick
Sometimes I wanna skip the struggle and just be rich
Win the lottery or something or move a couple of bricks but shit
Sometimes I think about jail, when I get letters from my dog in the mail
Sometimes I feel like I failed, because I'm eating, gaining weight
But my dude next to me is starving, staring at my plate
Sometimes I wanna reach 'em, sometimes I wanna teach 'em
Tell the kids stay in school, study hard, live decent
But I was raised in these streets
Where either we moving keys, shooting threes or you weak
Sometimes I think how long I been doing music
Back when I couldn't get a beat CD from any producer
It makes me think about why I'm still doing it
Sometimes it's for the children, they the future, other times it's for the loot
I know you looking at me wishing that you had my job
Thinking "oh it can't be that hard"
To put words together and more words that rhymes like those
But sometimes at 5 o clock I wish I could go home
You lucky
Well not lucky, but your life has simplicity, mine doesn't and I'm so contradictory
One day I wanna help, give to charities, spread out the wealth
Next day I wanna make it, spend it all on myself

Sometimes I don't wanna be alone then
Sometimes I wanna be on my own and
Sometimes I wanna have me a drink
Sometimes I wanna smoke and just sit there and think about what?
My life, knowing I'm a die, don't know when, don't know why
No I can't change, no I can't cry
But I sit and analyze a lotta things through my mind sometimes

I think about my people's division
Vicelords, gangsta disciples, bloodin' and crippin'
And would we be trippin' on gettin' ice
If we was still out fighting for civil rights?
Sometimes I'm up at night, thinking bout my career
I wonder will I make it this year
Sometimes I wish the label wasn't so scared
Of making something like this a single, but in the club this ain't what I wanna hear
Sometimes I wanna be like Mos Def & Kweli
Another verse I'll sound like M.O.P.
God listen to me
Does poppin' at people that's hating on me
Mean eventually it's meant that the devil is waitin' on me huh?
There's days I'm quoting biblical scriptures
Other days I walk around toting militant pistols
I spot a happy couple thinking oooh I want a commitment
But then I see a fat ass and think I want someone different
Sometimes I want a ho
Sometimes I like to trick
Sometimes I want a woman
Sometimes I want a bitch
Sometimes I want somebody I can really kick it with
Other times I want a girl that won't say shit
I really wanna bless you with knowledge
You wanna vote? I want to break down the electoral college
But who the hell cares, I'll just tell you some garbage 
Bust guns, stack ones, sell drugs
Hit the club, that'll get you much farther you know

Sometimes I don't wanna be alone then
Sometimes I wanna be on my own and
Sometimes I wanna have me a drink
Sometimes I wanna smoke and just sit there and think about what?
My life, knowing I'm a die, don't know when, don't know why
No I can't change, no I can't cry
But I sit and analyze a lotta things through my mind sometimes

Sometimes I wanna be so famous I can't go to the mall
Sometimes I don't wanna be noticed at all
I wanna fall so deep in love I forget other broads
But then I get a phone call from a shortie with no drawers
Sometimes I want a smart girl with a nice brain
Other times I just want some nice brain
Or a light rain then a bright sun
Sometimes I wanna have a daughter or a bright son
It don't matter, sometimes I want a Benz or maybe a Cadillac
Sometimes I wanna turn back time and bring Daddy back
Sometimes I want a real estate, stocks and property
Other times I'm on sone nigga shit, chains and watches
Pieces and bracelets, half my budget on coloured diamonds
With the transparent setting I told you I'm sometimey
Sometimes it's Benihana's
Sometimes it's Wendy's, McDonalds
Sometimes I'm making you dance
Other times I tell you my problems
Sometimes I feel up
Sometimes I feel down
Some days I feel like I still wanna get around
Sometimes I wanna be mainstream
Other days I'm underground
Wanna be on the big screen
Next day don't wanna be found
Some days I don't wanna wake up
Some nights I can't go to sleep
At times I wanna be myself
Other days I don't wanna be me"

That verse summed how I was feeling perfectly. Sometimes I wanted a relationship, be close to someone, other days I didn't. I would look at couples and get jealous, other days I would be happy I was single. Sometimes I felt on top of the world, sometimes I would stay in bed for a whole weekend and gorge on takeaways.
That track felt like he was talking to me personally, like it was ok and it was perfectly normal to feel "sometimey!"
Since becoming a Christian, and being delivered from the darkness, I don't have those worries. I literally give everything to GOD. I thank GOD for the peace that I now have in my heart.

Philippians 4:6 in the NKJV says

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to GOD. Amen to that.
There are certain things that I worry about and hold onto, but that is normal, I am still a work in progress and I am only human but definitely don't worry as much as I used to and I have GOD to thank for that.

J-Live: Longevity (1996) (VLS)

1. Longevity (Main Mix)
2. Longevity (Headrush Mix)
3. Longevity (Headrush Mix Instrumental)
4. Longevity (Acapella)
5. Braggin' Writes (Dome Cracker Mix)
6. Braggin' Writes (Main Mix)
7. Braggin' Writes (Dome Cracker Mix Instrumental)
8. Braggin' Writes (Acapella)

http://ul.to/vt2apy2s

Ludacris: Area Codes (2001) (VLS)

1. Area Codes featuring Nate Dogg (LP Version)
2. Southern Hospitality featuring Pharrell (Explicit Album Version)
3. Area Codes featuring Nate Dogg (Radio Edit)

http://ul.to/796n3gnj

Kool Moe Dee: Rise 'N' Shine (1991) (VLS)

1. Rise 'N' Shine featuring KRS-One & Chuck D (Long Version)
2. Rise 'N' Shine featuring KRS-One & Chuck D (Short Version)
3. Rise 'N' Shine (Instrumental)

http://ul.to/ci604aqp

De La Soul: All Good (2000) (VLS) (320kbps)

1. All Good featuring Chaka Khan (Album Version)
2. All Good (Album Instrumental)
3. All Good (MJ Cole Remix)

http://ul.to/mh13u0gb

Craig Mack: Flava In Ya Ear (1994) (VLS)

1. Flava In Ya Ear (Club Mix)
2. Flava In Ya Ear featuring Rampage, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes & The Notorious B.I.G. (Clean Remix)
3. Flava In Ya Ear featuring Rampage, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes & The Notorious B.I.G. (Dirty Remix)
4. Flava In Ya Ear (Easy Mo Mix)
5. Flava In Ya Ear (Nashmack Club Mix)
6. Flava In Ya Ear (Radio Edit Instrumental)

http://ul.to/kowx8c5l

Group Home: Suspended In Time (1996) (VLS)

1. Suspended In Time featuring Groove Theory (Groovy Street Remix)
2. Suspended In Time featuring Groove Theory (Groovy Clean Remix)
3. Suspended In Time (LP Street Version)
4. Suspended In Time (LP Clean Version)
5. Tha Realness featuring Jack The Ripper & Smiley The Ghetto Child (Street)
6. Tha Realness featuring Jack The Ripper & Smiley The Ghetto Child (Clean)
7. Tha Realness (Instrumental)
8. Suspended In Time (LP Instrumental)

http://ul.to/sanw5twh

The D.O.C: Heltah Skeltah LP Sampler (1996) (VLS)

1. Return Of The Livin' Dead
2. Da Hereafter featuring Erotic D
3. Erotix Shit featuring DFC, Erotic D, MC Breed, Mz Allen & Jamal
4. Brand New Formula

http://ul.to/hz5w2tf8

Broadway: Must Stay Paid (1996) (VLS)

1. Must Stay Paid (Clean)
2. Must Stay Paid (Street)
3. Must Stay Paid (Instrumental)
4. Enjoy Yourself (Clean)
5. Enjoy Yourself (Street)
6. Enjoy Yourself (Instrumental)

http://ul.to/p6fr7twe

Son Of Bazerk featuring No Self Control & The Band: Bang (Get Down, Get Down) (1991) (VLS)

1. Bang (Get Down, Get Down)
2. The Band Gets Swivey On The Wheels
3. Bang (Get Down, Get Down) (Instrumental)
4. The Band Gets Swivey On The Wheels (Instrumental)

http://ul.to/ddvwixed

Pharoahe Monch: Got You (2001) (VLS)

1. Got You (Radio Edit)
2. Fuck You (Explicit Version)
3. Got You (Instrumental)

http://ul.to/tbi015q7

Roots Manuva: Dreamy Days (2001) (VLS)

1. Dreamy Days (Album Version)
2. Dreamy Days (Roots Manuva Remix)
3. Fly Turd Fly

http://ul.to/k267gjfq

Outsidaz: I'm Leavin' (2002) (VLS)

1. I'm Leavin' featuring Rah Digga & Melanie Blatt (Full Length)
2. I'm Leavin' (Instrumental)
3. I'm Leavin' (Grunge Boyz Vocal Dub Remix)
4. I'm Leavin' (Oddsmakers Clean Remix)

http://ul.to/w4nruuc0

MHz: Rocket Science (1999) (VLS)

1. Rocket Science (Main Mix)
2. Magnetics (Main Mix)
3. Absotively Posolutely (Main Mix)
4. Rocket Science (Instrumental)
5. Magnetics (Instrumental)
6. Absotively Posolutely (Instrumental)

http://ul.to/mpky47ia

Nice & Smooth: Sometimes I Rhyme Slow (1991) (VLS)

1. Sometimes I Rhyme Slow (LP Version)
2. Sometimes I Rhyme Slow (Original)
3. Sometimes I Rhyme Slow (Low Key Acapella)
4. Sometimes I Rhyme Slow (Stay Faithful Remix)
5. Sometimes I Rhyme Slow (Stay Faithful Remix Instrumental)
6. Hip-Hop Junkies (Spanish Fly Mix)
7. Hip-Hop Junkies (LP Version)

http://ul.to/j8hsd8r5

Lord Have Mercy: Come On Down (2001) (VLS)

1. Come On Down (Dirty)
2. Come On Down (Clean)
3. Come On Down (Instrumental)
4. Charge (Dirty)
5. Charge (Clean)
6. Charge (Instrumental)
7. We Will (Bonus Track)

http://ul.to/6zexsyzp

Kool G Rap: Can't Stop The Shine (1998) (VLS)

1. Can't Stop The Shine (Clean)
2. Can't Stop The Shine (Album Version)
3. Can't Stop The Shine (Acapella)
4. Can't Stop The Shine (Instrumental)
5. Thugs Anthem featuring Johnny 2 Gunz & Pokaface (Clean)
6. Thugs Anthem featuring Johnny 2 Gunz & Pokaface (Album Version)
7. Thugs Anthem featuring Johnny 2 Gunz & Pokaface (Acapella)
8. Thugs Anthem (Instrumental)

http://ul.to/tw7ju1of

Gravediggaz: Nowhere To Run, Nowhere To Hide (1994) (VLS)

1. Nowhere To Run, Nowhere To Hide (Album Version)
2. Nowhere To Run, Nowhere To Hide (Clean Radio Edit)
3. Nowhere To Run, Nowhere To Hide (Instrumental)
4. Freak The Sorceress
5. Freak The Sorceress (Instrumental)
6. The Reincarnation Of Freud
7. Nowhere To Run, Nowhere To Hide (Acapella)

http://ul.to/1x9j6gvr

Jeru The Damaja: Ya Playin' Yaself (1996) (VLS)

1. Ya Playin' Yaself (Street Mix)
2. Ya Playin' Yaself (Instrumental)
3. One Day (Album Version)
4. One Day (Instrumental)
5. Ya Playin' Yaself (Acapella)

http://ul.to/g4q8t972

Danger Mouse & Jemini: Take Care Of Business (2002) (VLS)

1. Take Care Of Business featuring J-Zone (Club Version)
2. Live On Both Sides (LP Version)
3. Don't Do Drugs (LP Version)
4. Take Care Of Business featuring J-Zone (Radio Version)
5. Take Care Of Business (Instrumental)
6. Live On Both Sides (Radio Version)
7. Live On Both Sides (Instrumental)

http://ul.to/qs9wr1ir

EDO.G: Work For It (2001) (VLS)

1. Work For It featuring Guru (Street)
2. Work For It featuring Guru (Radio)
3. Work For It (Instrumental)
4. Extreme featuring Deric Quest (Radio)
5. Situations featuring Pete Rock (Radio)
6. Situations (TV Track)
7. Situations (Acapella)
8. Extreme (Instrumental)

http://ul.to/ug7zdfv9

Foxy Brown: I'll Be (1996) (VLS) (320kbps)

1. I'll Be featuring Jay-Z (LP Version)
2. I'll Be featuring Jay-Z (D&A Remix)
3. I'll Be (Instrumental)
4. Foxy's Bells (LP Version)

http://ul.to/ef77x9k5

Compton's Most Wanted: Compton's Lynchin: (1991) (VLS)

1. Compton's Lynchin' (B Mix)
2. Compton's Lynchin' (Radio Mix)
3. Compton's Lynchin' (B Mix Instrumental)
4. They Still Gafflin' (OG Version)
5. They Still Gafflin' (Radio Mix)
6. They Still Gafflin' (Instrumental)

http://ul.to/n42vw5na

Brand Nubian: Hold On (1994) (VLS)

1. Hold On (LP Version)
2. Hold On (Remix)
3. Hold On (LP Instrumental)
4. Step Into Da Cipher featuring Serge, Maestro Manny & Snagglepuss (LP Version)
5. Step Into Da Cipher (LP Instrumental)

http://ul.to/vsw7ra29

Artifacts: Dynamite Soul (1995) (VLS)

1. Dynamite Soul featuring Mad Skillz (Lip Service Remix) (Original Mix)
2. Dynamite Soul featuring Mad Skillz (Lip Service Remix) (Dirty Version)
3. Who I Am (Original Mix)
4. Who I Am (Dirty Version)
5. Dynamite Soul (Album Version)
6. Dynamite Soul (Lip Service Remix) (TV Track Instrumental)
7. Who I Am (TV Track Instrumental)

http://ul.to/e2sbjsp7

Wreckx-N-Effect: Rump Shaker (1992) (VLS)

1. Rump Shaker (Radio Mix)
2. Rump Shaker (Radio Remix)
3. Rump Shaker (Teddy 2)
4. Rump Shaker (Percapella)
5. Rump Shaker (Dub)
6. Rump Shaker (Bonus Beats)

http://ul.to/tnnm1vqj

The Black Eyed Peas: Where Is The Love? (2003) (VLS)

1. Where Is The Love featuring Justin Timberlake
2. Sumthin' For That Ass
3. Where Is The Love (Instrumental)

http://ul.to/gqpsboye

Snoop Dogg: Snoop's Upside Ya Head (1996) (VLS)

1. Snoop's Upside Ya Head featuring Charlie Wilson (Album Version)
2. Snoop's Upside Ya Head featuring Charlie Wilson (Radio Edit)
3. Snoop's Upside Ya Head (Instrumental)

http://ul.to/4aabk2lm

Rok One: Certified Superior (1998) (VLS)

1. Certified Superior (Street)
2. Certified Superior (Radio)
3. Certified Superior (Instrumental)
4. Ninety Degrees A Piece featuring Shabaam Sahdeeq, Kwest & L-Fudge (Street)
5. Ninety Degrees A Piece featuring Shabaam Sahdeeq, Kwest & L-Fudge (Radio)
6. Ninety Degrees A Piece (Instrumental)

http://ul.to/6dzlabsh

Petey Pablo: I (2001) (VLS)

1. I featuring Timbaland (Radio Edit)
2. I featuring Timbaland (Album Version)
3. I (Instrumental)

http://ul.to/8tpw7x01

Outkast: Da Art Of Storytellin' Part 1 (1998) (VLS)

1. Da Art Of Storytellin' Part 1 featuring Slick Rick (Clean)
2. Da Art Of Storytellin' Part 1 (Instrumental)
3. Da Art Of Storytellin' Part 1 featuring Slick Rick (Dirty Mix)
4. Da Art Of Storytellin' Part 1 featuring Slick Rick (Acapella)

http://ul.to/uinwjs82

Nelly: Hot In Herre (2002) (VLS)

1. Hot In Herre (X-Ecutioners Remix)
2. Hot In Herre (Radio Edit)
3. Hot In Herre (Third Eye Remix)

http://ul.to/6cd6emju

MC Eiht featuring CMW: Geez Make The Hood Go Round (1994) (VLS)

1. Geez Make The Hood Go Round (Clean Hood Remix)
2. Geez Make The Hood Go Round (Dirty Hood Remix)
3. Geez Make The Hood Go Round (LP Version)
4. Geez Make The Hood Go Round (Hood Remix Instrumental)
5. Westsiders featuring N.O.T.R. & Tha Foe

http://ul.to/xr1rkfr7

LL Cool J: Father (1997) (VLS)

1. Father (Radio Edit)
2. Father (Instrumental)
3. 4, 3, 2, 1 featuring Method Man, Redman & DMX (Radio Edit)
4. 4, 3, 2, 1 (Instrumental)

http://ul.to/cg4xevfd

Knoc-Turn'al: Knoc (2001) (VLS)

1. Knoc featuring Dr. Dre & Missy Elliott (Amended Version)
2. Knoc featuring Dr. Dre & Missy Elliott (Original Version)
3. Knoc (Instrumental)
4. Knoc (TV Track)

http://ul.to/mm4ldfu4

Jedi Mind Tricks: Heavenly Divine (1999) (VLS)

1. Heavenly Divine (Dirty)
2. Heavenly Divine (Radio)
3. Heavenly Divine (Instrumental)
4. Trinity featuring L-Fudge, Louis Logic & Ikon The Hologram (Radio)
5. Trinity (Instrumental)
6. Heavenly Divine (Remix Radio)

http://ul.to/3xdv4i4o

House Of Pain: Over There (I Don't Care) (1995) (VLS)

1. Over There (I Don't Care) ('95 Radio Version)
2. Runnin' Up On Ya (HOP Vs. Kerbdog)
3. Over There (I Don't Care) (Da Beatminerz Clean Version)
4. Shamrocks & Shenenigans (Boom Shalock Lock Boom) (Salaam Remi Main Pass)

http://ul.to/xvqreq29

Grand Puba: I Like It (I Wanna Be Where You Are) (1995) (VLS)

1. I Like It (I Wanna Be Where You Are) (Dirty LP Version)
2. I Like It (I Wanna Be Where You Are) featuring Sadat X (Dirty Buckwild Remix)
3. I Like It (I Wanna Be Where You Are) (LP Instrumental)
4. A Little Of This (Dirty LP Version)
5. A Little Of This (LP Instrumental)
6. I Like It (I Wanna Be Where You Are) (Buckwild Remix Instrumental)

http://ul.to/u6ivtq2p

Fu-Schnickens: Ring The Alarm (1991) (VLS)

1. Ring The Alarm (LP Version)
2. Ring The Alarm (Steely & Clevie Remix)
3. Ring The Alarm (Steely & Clevie Extended Mix)
4. Ring The Alarm (LP Instrumental)

http://ul.to/as8pktyg

Eve: Satisfaction (2002) (VLS)

1. Satisfaction
2. Double R What featuring Jadakiss & Styles P
3. Satisfaction (Instrumental)

http://ul.to/adwphweo

Da Youngsta's: I'll Make U Famous (1995) (VLS)

1. I'll Make U Famous (Edit Version)
2. I'll Make U Famous (Remix Edit)
3. I'll Make U Famous (Main)
4. I'll Make U Famous (Main Remix)
5. I'll Make U Famous (Acapella)
6. Bloodshed & War featuring Mobb Deep (Edit Main Version)
7. Bloodshed & War (Instrumental)
8. I'll Make U Famous (Remix Instrumental)
9. I'll Make U Famous (Instrumental)
10. Bloodshed & War featuring Mobb Deep (Acapella)

http://ul.to/oxj6sgfu

Common: Go! (2005) (VLS)

1. Go! (LP Version)
2. The Corner featuring Mos Def & Scarface (Remix)
3. Come Close featuring Mary J. Blige (Boojoo Bayou Remix)
4. Go! (Instrumental)

http://ul.to/hb6uf1cl

Blade: Rough It Up (1991) (VLS)

1. Rough It Up (Vocal)
2. Whatcha Waitin' For (Vocal)
3. You Better Go For Yours (Vocal)
4. Whatcha Waitin' For (Instrumental)
5. Rough It Up (Instrumental)

http://ul.to/f1cb4srx

All City: The Hot Joint (1998) (VLS)

1. The Hot Joint (Clean Remix)
2. The Hot Joint (Remix Instrumental)
3. The Hot Joint (Main Version)

http://ul.to/e79bepfe

Wyclef Jean: Cheated (To All The Girls) (1998) (VLS)

1. Cheated featuring Queen Pen & The Product (R&B Remix)
2. Chickenhead featuring Spragga Benz (Icerider Remix)
3. Cheated (Rock Remix)
4. To All The Girls (LP Version)
5. What's Clef featuring Naomi Campbell
6. Cheated (R&B Remix Instrumental)
7. Chickenhead (Icerider Remix Instrumental)
8. What's Clef (Instrumental)

http://ul.to/h69sq2yi

The Brotherhood: The Dungeon Town EP (1998) (VLS)

1. Dungeon Town (Vocal Mix)
2. Dungeon Town (Instrumental)
3. Six
4. Bare Destruction

http://ul.to/vgd53c96