Listening Post

With precious few exceptions, white girls and hip-hop go together like Anderson Cooper and cunnilingus.

If you need an example, consider Gwen Stefani -- who went from being the gorgeous frontwoman for a really great band to being a silly quasi-rapping animé character.

If you need another example, consider the Black Eyed Peas.

Much of the listening public probably won't remember this, but before the unfortunate insinuation of mongrel retard Fergie into the line-up (a decision that Will.I.Am has all but admitted was made at the behest of the record company), the Peas were actually a damn good rap act. When they needed a female voice, such as on the ultra-catchy 2000 single Weekends, they enlisted someone with actual presence, like Esthero.*

For the briefest of moments on their last album, Monkey Business, history was recaptured and the world was reminded of the true greatness of the Black Eyed Peas.

This track features Q-Tip, Cee-lo, John Legend and Talib Kweli -- which basically means that there was no way it could've been bad. On the contrary, this is one of those songs I never get tired of hearing.

It's Like That.

(*If you don't own Esthero's entire album catalogue already, what the hell is wrong with you?)