What first got me into underground hip hop was its eclectic use of instrumentals. Nothing but Silence is an interesting example of this, with a beat that I can best describe as gothic or horror-like… horror hip hop? Anyone want to help me out on this one? Anyways, the beat is tight and drops on key several times (e.g., check out 1:24). Ethic & Sapient, as well as the featured Grayskul members, lay down some rhymes that were made for this beat (makes sense ;)). I wish I knew a little more about Debaser’s style, but their new album just dropped this last May, so maybe that’ll give me a better understanding of ‘em. Check the song, love it, do whatever with it.
You know, after listening to Crown Control another time ’round, I’m starting to like some other songs off it, so I thought I’d include another track – Less Human – just because… and the sick beat.
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Back in ’08 I started to get into Japanese hip hop pretty heavily. I cycled through most of the popular DJ’s out there and was impressed by their use of soul and jazz samples. One thing in particular attracted me to some artists over others – the use of MC’s. Nujabes is no doubt my favorite for this very reason, but a few others have also done this with much success, notably DJ Krush. Although, I’ve checked out a couple of his albums and really enjoyed it, I think I need to take another look at this talented DJ.
Only the Strong Survive is one of only a handful I listen to of his on a regular basis. CL Smooth’s, featured MC on the track low-toned, voice glides soulfully over Krush’s jazz instrumentals. What does me in on this track is the kick drum along with the brass instrumentals, really hits the ear right. Give it a listen and give a shout out to your favorite DJ from Japan (I want more!).
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I wanted to pay tribute to Guru’s lifework in honor of his passing just under two months ago. He may not’ve been the most well-known MC, outside the underground, but he had (has) one of the most distinct voices in hip hop. I listened to Gang Starr a while back in college and was impressed when I first heard Guru’s flow. I was never too engrossed in his music, especially his solo-work, but I’ve always had mad appreciation for the impact he’s had on hip hop. Here is one of my favorites from Gang Starr – it may not be their most well-known, but it’s what first introduced me to Guru’s talent (among a few others).
Some of you may have heard about the whole controversy surrounding Guru’s death – check it out @ Pitchfork. All I have to say is that it’s sad to see Solar, recent producer for Guru, trying to gain off a friend’s death. But I guess we don’t know the whole story (I guess). What do y’all think of the situation? R.I.P. Guru
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Today I was reminiscing about past summers and favorite pool-side songs, when I remembered one of my favorite groups from college, Latyrx. What the hell ever happened to those guys? They had two exceptional albums and then split ways. Originally, my favorite of the two was Lyrics Born over Lateef (the Truth Speaker), but as time progressed and careers developed the tables turned. Lyrics Born has shifted more to a pop sound, which is all in good, but not my thing; while Lateef has hooked up with the likes of Z-Trip, Chief Xcel and Blackalicious, which is much more my thing.
Wherever they are now, what they did then was truly and will always be in my sentiments. Cloud 9, along with Lady Don’t Tek No, The Bumpin’ Contraption, Balcony Beach and a whole shit load more, have truly altered my thoughts of music and what to consider as good hip hop. Take a look at Latyrx’s works and pay tribute to ‘em by commenting below… yep, that’s how you it.
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I can’t believe I haven’t featured a song from Triangulation Station or, for that matter, any of Opio’s other solo projects before. Yea, he’s got some more recent work out now, but this album is his masterpiece. Opio is from one of the best hip hop groups of all time, Hieroglyphics. Comprised of a talented pool of MC’s, Hieroglyphics was the best of the best in the late 90′s/early 00′s (for an underground group). The only MC from Hiero that comes close to Opio’s talent is Del who collaborated with Dan the Automator & Kid Koala to construct Deltron 3030, a revolutionary hip hop album that’ll still be talked about for years to come… or should, at least. But enough of all that, let’s get to the good stuff…
“Granite Earth” is one of many stylistic songs from Triangulation Station. The reason I chose to feature this song is because of the chorus by Pigeon John coupled by the overall mood/lyrics of it. Opio & Pigeon John create a harmonic duo that’s on key throughout the entire piece. I’ve heard a couple stories about Pigeon John and how foolish he is in concert (my friends think he is an absolute joke because of it), but he’s got one smooth voice on this track and some thoughtful lyrics, as well (which I’m sure Opio wrote up). To be honest, though, I’ve checked out one of Pigeon John’s solo albums and it was nothing to defend.
So, what do you all think of the two on this track? Anyone seen either of them live?
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I haven’t been listening to much Apathy in a while, but I thought I’d feature one of his best to possibly rekindle my interest in him again. I was heavily into Apathy and some of the other Demigodz, along with Jedi Mind, a couple years back, which were some of my favorite groups from the East Coast at the time.
I’m not the biggest fan of East Coast hip hop, if you couldn’t already tell (the site is mainly West Coast/Midwest hip hop). I just relate more to the West Coast/Midwest vibe, but I am trying to gain some knowledge of the East (it’s embarrassing when ya don’t know much about its birthplace), so if you have anything to recommend I’d love to hear it. If you like this one I’ve got a few more East Coast classics up my sleeve, so post up and I’ll do the same.
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I’ll admit I’m not the biggest fan of the old school/golden age era of hip hop (basically, anything before the mid-90′s). It’s not that I don’t appreciate it, I have mad respect for a lot of it, but my biggest issue with it is the beats. The reason I have such a passion for hip hop, as I do today, is because of its adoption of a wide variety of instrumentals from various sources. I’m not saying that this didn’t happen in the 80′s & 90′s, it’s just more prevalent nowadays because of technology and the internet. This brings me to today’s feature, “Bug Powder Dust (K&D Session)”, which takes some classic rhymes and lays it on a smooth trip hop beat…
“Bug Power Dust” was originally created by Bomb the Bass, an electronic/hip hop group. The song is essentially a homage to William Boroughs’s life & works, more specifically his famous novel, “The Naked Lunch”. The song was later redone by Kruder & Dorfmeister, which are known for their downtempo remixes of pop/hip hop songs. What I like so much about this tripped-out remix is its combination of my two favorite genres, hip hop & trip hop (I like the hop). The MC, Justin Warfield, flows above the beat so seamless it feels like this should be the original. He has a similar style & sound to one of the Beastie Boys, but I can’t figure out which one, any ideas?
Prodigy also did a remix of the song, which can be found here, but I warn you, it’s got nothing on Kruder & Dorfmeister’s! Also, in the full article is the original version/music video – check it out and give me your thoughts on them all.
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