“Intro” – Redman from the Reggie album (2011)
This is the 1st track off the new Redman record, and probably the only worthwhile track on the whole release. Red says that he was going “experimental” with this new release. He says that Reggie Noble, Redman’s alter ego, loves all kinds of music. He says Reggie loves some music that Redman would never release. Reg wanted to release some ol’ next sh*t, so he did. He claims that this is NOT a Redman album, rather Reggie’s DEBUT album, thus the title. This album got a lot of bad reviews because of Reggie’s over use of Auto-tune….Yup I said Auto-tune…a lot of it. Weird album, but THIS track is still doap.
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“Live at Home” Asheru & Blue Black from the Soon Come album (2001)
Many times in the “Underground/Back Pack/True School/In Denial” realm of Hip Hop, there are a lot of names that swirl around. I always hear names like Eydea and Abilties, the Busdriver’s, and the Sage francis’, type o f groups. Names I know, but I don’t know any of the music. Unspoken Heard is one of those groups; I don’t know their music too much, but the side project Asheru & Blue Black I came across, is pretty doap. This track “Live at Home” is catchy, filled with worthwhile organic samples, cool rhymes, and a sound that you wish would come back in rap. I hope you enjoy this little ditty. (Take that, take that….couldn’t resist.)
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“Warmonger” Vinnie Paz from the Season of the Assassin album (2010)
Vinnie Paz has kinda outdone himself on his latest album. There is straight up star power on the new record. He has shocking lyrically guest appearances from the likes of Beanie Siegel, Freeway, the Clipse, and Paul Wall! He has tracks produced by Madlib, DJ Muggs, 4th Disciple and THIS track “Warmonger” produced by Fizzy Womack of M.O.P. If anything, the lineup of this album is impressive, and so is this track.
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“Memories” Big Sean from the Finally Famous Vol 3. mixtape (2011)
One of the best things about working with young folks is that you get introduced to Hip Hop that you would have missed out on if you didn’t work with them. Big Sean, was introduce to me through my kids, and I’m glad I heard of him. He’s from Kanye’s G.O.O.D. music camp, and at first glance Sean’s a new jack that is easily dismissible. After a deeper listen though, he has a pretty interesting view of the world. Sure it’s swaggy, and it’s young, but it is from an honest and pure place. This track struck a nerve with me because he sees his human self, and questions…is fame worth it? When he talks about his friend being “addicted to pills,” and questions would you “lose your girlfriend over groupie love,” shows me that the young man is thinking. Bravo Big Sean.
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“African Walk” Madlib from the Beat Konducta Vol 1–2: Movie Scenes album (2006)
Not sure if you caught this album, but it’s worth having. Down fall is, there are soooo many tracks on this album, you get over whelmed. This “African Walk” track is a gem. It becomes infectious; you’ll find yourself singing the quippy “SWING” DOOM sample over and over.
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“Friday Night Street Fever (featuring Peedi Crakk)” Money Making Jam Boys from the Prestige mixtape (2011)
The new side project from the Roots: Money making Jam Boys. Although the name of the group is REALLY stupid, this collective has some great talent. The group’s make-up includes Black Thought, Dice Raw, Truck North, P.O.R.N., and STS. All veteran spitters in their own right, they have come together to make somewhat of a super group. The mixtape is aiiiiiight, but this track is great, because of Peedi Crakk. (Wait for his verse…) He gives the track life, and his voice and accent make you laugh, and makes you feel gangsta as hell! I love when Peddi goes “Why you writin’ raps, mang/ You should be a sangah!” Hilarious!
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“Burn” Killer Mike (aka Mike Bigga)(2011)
Trying to shed the “Killer” persona, (and from what I hear a few pounds.) Mike is calling himself Mike Bigga nowadays. Along with the name change, he is switching up his content lately to a more overtly conscious rapper. Not to say that Bigga hasn’t always been on his conscious jawn, but he really cranks it up on this track. I guess it comes from being from a long lineage of freedom fighters. Did you know that Mike’s grandmother marched with MLK. (I think his grandfather was a part of the first sit-ins to desegregate lunch counters in Atlanta, not sure though.) I guess he never lost that.
The next 4 songs are from one of the best MC’s I have heard in a loooooooong time. He has almost…. ALMOST took over the spot from DOOM as my favorite MC….almost. One of the reasons why he has not is because he has yet to release an album. Rumor has it, that the album is coming soon, and it may be called “Act II.” Without a record deal he has managed to do the rock the bells tour, the Roots Picnic, has a kid with Erykah Badu, a production credit for Nas (Queens get the money.), and has just signed with Jay-Z’s ROC Nation.
“the Announcement” ft. John F. Kennedy Jay Electronica Act II (?)
My views aerial/Your crew inferior, my crew imperial/MC killers, milk and serial (cereal)/Get it? Forget it/ You’ll still be connectin’ the dots with smokin’ holes in yo’ fitted/Those that got it be all at the shows, throwin’ fitteds The light from the dynasty sign froze all the critics/And nary a soul got on they frog toes to ribbit.
Brilliant….
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“Shiny Suit Theory” Ft. Jay-Z and the Dream Jay Electronica Act II (?)
This cat is crazy! Aaaaannnnd that really is the Dream singing! Give yourself a few minutes to get your jaw off the floor.
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“Jazzmataz”z (Guru Tribute)(Ft. Tone Treasure) Jay Electronica Act II (?)
RIP Guru… Nuff Said
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“Exhibit C” Jay Electronica Act II (?)
One of the best songs….perhaps ever.
They call me Jay Electronica Fuck that, call me Jay ElecHannukah Jay ElecYarmulke Jay ElectRamadaan Muhammad Asalaamica
Rasoul’Allah suphana wat’Allah through your monitor…….the F*CK!?
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“Still Life” Russian Futurists from the Our Thickness album (2005)
I know you are on your indie rock jawn, so I’ll hook you up. This joint is kinda doap. And I know you’ll like it. Tell me later what you REALLY think. Although there is Russian in their/his name, this act is not from Russia at all, they’re from Canada! (Lying bastards) The track is nice though. Kinda dreamy and a lil funky. It’s a repeater. You’ll play it again, and again.
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Robert Diggs, aka The RZA, is a modern marvel. A multimedia giant before Apple ruled the universe, RZA’s street savvy and artistic agility have made him something of a 21st-century renaissance figure. From his assembly of hip-hop’s eminent crew, The Wu-Tang Clan, to his own clothing line, to his oft-allegiances with the likes of everyone from Jim Jarmusch to Quentin Tarantino, RZA has mastered New York and Hollywood alike with evident aplomb. The writer comes off as alternately wistful in his gritty recollections of his rags-to-riches Staten Island days and circularly didactic in his attempts to reconcile his numerous interests and influences. RZA does well to make his citizen-of-the-world life philosophy both intriguing and poignant. He is known as the Abbot, after all, a teacher with a curriculum that incorporates Islam, numerology, chess theory and Judeo-Christian extrapolations, usually disseminated by hip-hop rubrics and classic kung fu flicks. Not required reading, but a good companion piece to the mystique of Wu.