Tuesday, April 12, 2005
"Understand, street n--gaz do go to college...."
Indie hip hop lives! Click covers to buy.
It's Promo Round-Up Tuesday at the Kitchen:
Defari may have irreparably destroyed his career and lost any love he had in the (new) underground when he dissed emo rappers like Slug in this infamous interview at Tha Formula. Cats now feel free to throw darts at duke and dimiss him as a hater like he didn't drop some of the best tracks around (cf. the "Bionic" 12") at the dawn of the underground renaissance in the mid 90's.
Unfortunately, the new L.J.'s album by him and Dilated's DJ Babu under their Likwit Junkies moniker is unlikely to sway the opinions of those who've pledged allegiance to Atmosphere, Sage Francis, Aesop Rock, Edan et al. Even with references to corruption in the church and fcck the police tracks, the album has an oddly conservative feel from the classic 90's meat 'n' potatoes style boom bap beats (with a slightly souled-out feel) to the frequent religious references in the rhymes.
It's pretty solid stuff overall but there aren't a lot of creative chances being taken and few surprises on this album. Personally, I like it but I don't love it. Probably for fans only (?) but recommended if you dig the classic hip hop of Gangstarr, Dilated Peoples etc. Fave tracks: the Otis Redding (?)-sampling "Keep Doin' It" (Vaguely interesting side note: the LJ's sample the same break as Beanie Sigel on his "Purple Rain" for their track "Salute" but I think the Mac Man gets the better of them with his joint) Click here for more info.
But this is why I know I might not be in tune with the so-called underground in a lot of ways: why aren't more cats talking about the new Zion I album, True and Livin' dropping next week? Amp Live & Zion have delivered a great album full of progressive musicality and lyricism. If you fccks with pre-Love Below Outkast and Dead Prez, you need to get at this immediately. "Soo Tall" would be a huge MTV hit if these dudes were on a major label. True & Livin' has excellent collabs with Talib Kweli on the track "Temperature" and Del on "What U Hear" plus appearances by Aesop Rock and Gift of Gab, but Zion I more than hold it down for dolo on the tracks with no guests like "The Bay" and "America."
Hip Hop and orchestral music? The Dakah Hip Hop Orchestra sounds like another one of those bad ideas that should have never seen the light of day but you know what, despite the up and down quality of the MC-ing throughout the album, muscially Unfinished Symphony is a really good listen that's trawling the waters where Jazzmatazz, NuYorican Soul and The Duke Ellington Orchestra meet and is the perfect album when you need something to vibe and chill out to.
Pop Life is dead, long live Poplicks.com. (no homo)
We the Voices
And at The In Crowd:
- "To Be Young, Gifted and British" - Black British Jazz
- Read more about new soul singer and MC Jahah that I've been plugging and listen to his entire MamasOnlySon album streaming online here.
"Full Cut Fridays" - a monthly Afrobeat party at Knitting Factory presented by local NYC Afrobeat label and booking agency Full Cut Records.
"Hip Hop has become Republican...." - check out this interview by MTV's Sway with Saul Williams to witness how powerful this dude is even when he's not performing. Wiliams is like a prophet (that I think you ought to listen to) and I do not use that term lightly. Seriously, hop off Common's nuts and leave the 50 dis tracks alone for a minute and really peep his music 'cos you NEED it in your life. (via CMoney of Eviction Notice, NB: temporary Yousendit link so first come, first served or click here thanks to Brandon, The Latchkey Kid)
Catchdubs put you up on this MONTHS ago but Nouvelle Vague is at Joe's Pub TONIGHT (related: more on Nouvelle Vague at Village Voice)
But for those who want to keep it real crunk instead, get at this TONIGHT:
(click flyer for a direct link to the webcast)
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