Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Asheru presents Insomnia Vol. 1 mixtape contest
Asheru presents Insomnia Vol. 1 (click above to buy via Sandbox)
In yet another one of the mysteries (to me) of the mores and tastes of the current underground hip hop audience, I've never understood why the Seven Heads crew of Asheru & Blue Black of Unspoken Heard etc. have never gotten more props and love from the Okayplayer crowd as compared to the Mos Def's, Kweli's etc .
Well Asheru is back with a brand new mixtape release, Insomnia Vol. 1, which again delivers more of that classic Native Tongues-inspired hip hop sound he's given fans on previous albums Soon Come and 48 Months.
Top to bottom Insomnia Vol. 1 is a great listen that bests many official albums out right now. My favorites include the Carly Simon-interpolating "You're So Vain" that's basically Asheru's excellent, updated take on "I Used to Love H.E.R." and "The Hotness," an interlude spoofing Funk Flex's over-the-top Hot 97 artist interview format lovely. There's also a solid joint called "If" feat. Talib Kweli and Ken Starr and other collabs with Grap Luva, Djinji Brown and Blue Black.
If you're into Common, The Roots, Slum Village, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest etc. you NEED to get at this tape immediately. Don't believe me? Check out the tracks below from the tape including a couple free downloads. Don't have any paper for mixtapes? Enter the new contest to win Insomnia Vol. 1 and Asheru's entire Seven Heads back catalog. Simply email me at the address in the sidebar at left (subject line: "Asheru contest"). Contest will end April 25 at 11:59:59pm - winner will be selected at random.
Click and listen:
- "Idea" 128 | 56 | MP3
- "Holdin' It Down (feat. Priest & Kokay)" 128 | 56 | MP3
- "For Old Times Sake" 128 | 56
- "Black Moses" 128 | 56
(note: if mp3 links do not automatically play upon clicking, try right-clicking to "Properties" to copy the URL and paste it into the "Open URL" box in your media player or click here)
Prizing courtesy: Room Service and Guerilla Arts Ink
