After roughly four years of constant label disputes (and amazing mix tapes), sibling rap-duo Clipse and the Neptunes are finally back to reclaim hip-hop with the return of rhyme-based rap (stupid chants and uninspired, derivative rap FTL) with unbelievable production to match. Malice, Pusha T, and the ‘Tunes are back in true form. Perhaps the best hip-hop album in many years, every single track is excellent. Once again, the Neptunes are sort of experimenting with their beats with the Clipse as their platform, although I have to wonder: what happened to Chad Hugo? Sure, the Neptunes are listed for the production of every song, but Hugo’s name is nowhere in the liner credits.

Anyone that’s ever been turned away from rap for its recent lack of creativity and talent needs to listen to this.

My picks: Ride Around Shining- Typical subject matter with super-atypical rhymes, in true Clipse fashion. Never have the ill-gotten gains of coke money been rapped about more effectively. The ringing beat is sparse and ominous, certainly a bizarre step away from the Neptunes’ norm.

Keys Open Doors- Clever pun, eh? The strange, melodic beat makes this easily the best song on the CD, with Pusha T and Malice dropping metaphors and looping in and out of the melody effortlessly.

Mr. Me Too- Everyone should know this song by now, as it was the lead single. If not, it still isn’t old for me. The Neptunes drop what is easily one of their greatest beats ever, and Pharrell and the Clipse cleverly rap about their riches in an almost lethargic manner. Probably the most refreshing money-oriented rap single of the year.

Wamp Wamp (What It Do)- The second single. Again, everyone’s probably heard this already, but the flawless rhymes over the syncopated drums cannot be stopped. Slim Thug’s hook is kind of weak, but the brothers more than make up for it.

Buy this CD. Support good rap.

Scooped up my Wii last night at midnight, and while I was too weary last night after waiting in line for 9 hours (14th out of 60, bitches!) to appreciate how cool it really is, I woke up and just sat there in awe of its awesomeness. The fact that the Wii had huge lines in even a smaller city such as mine is what I consider a testament to the success that Nintendo will have. It was a long time, but it was great to hang out with new people and talk about games as we braved the cold. Noone I know around here really plays games that much, so I was basically all alone (although a few friends did come by to mock me throughout the night :p). I hooked it up to the internet this morning and downloaded Mario 64 immediately. Needless to say, it’s Mario + Retro Controller = awesome; I don’t even need to reiterate the glory that is Zelda.

If you were lucky enough to obtain a Wii, send me your friend code so we can all have huge Mii parades!

As for the PS3, Ridge Racer 7 is really satisfying me the more I get into it, even though it really is more of a Ridge Racer 6: Director’s Cut. It just seems more smooth and well-done than the 360 version, and I really like the extra touches added to the old courses. The music is really, really good as well.

Next gen is officially here as of today!

Special thanks to Q for royally screwing everyone over with Lumines Live and its ridiculous pricing scheme. That’s not to say that I won’t be buying it. I guess I’m just part of the problem.

I actually wouldn’t be a complainer had they released it with the original track list (including Mondo Grosso and Eri Nobuchika) from its PSP papa, but I suppose that’ll probably come later in a “Triple Bonus Pack” for the price of a ridiculous $7.50. Awesome.

I’m apparently number eight in the eight person reservation list at the local Software Etc. Hopefully it’ll all work out alright. This morning I was told that I’m guaranteed a unit, but with the possibility of Sony botching the number of manufactured units I’m really just buying a spot in line. I really, really hope I get one at launch. I’ll be camping Circuit City as a backup for sure.

My opinion on the PS3 is completely turned around. Kenny K totally fumbled the ball at the Sony press conference, but what they had on display on the show floor was jaw-droppingly stunning. Virtua Fighter 5 (looks to be arcade perfect, OMG), Lair (wow), and even Devil May Cry 4 (which doesn’t really switch up the gameplay at all) astounded graphically, and the ways in which MGS4 will use the tilt functionality of the PS3 controller look great. Also, let us not forget White Knight Story, from Level 5. Any doubts I had about the PS3 were erased by this TGS. Maybe Sony just decided rush their shitty keynote and let the show floor speak for itself. Plus, HDMI will now be in the 20 GB console! There is now no need to go for the $600 model.

As for the Xbox 360, MS actually provided a decent showing for the Japanese crowd. Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, and Trusty Bell all look fantastic, and at least I know I’ll be buying them when they hit the U.S. Really though, they’re just holding out on their big guns (literally– all the stuff that will appeal to Western audiences) until X06.

Nintendo already held their event in Japan a week or so ago, and by now everyone knows about the American, European, and Japanese pricing schemes. Personally, I’m super excited… for Zelda. Now that Wii Sports will be packed in for “free,” I can only see myself getting Twilight Princess and the component cables at launch. Screw getting an extra controller for now, I gotta get a PS3 (somehow… it will happen)!