I actually need some help from anyone who’s listening out there (especially if you’re from The Bay), I need some NEW Bay Area/West Coast hip-hop. Well, really any smooth flowing MC. I’ve been lacking on hip-hop lately and can’t seem to find anything new I like. But good thing, Gift of Gab is bringing out on a new album. He’s actually one of the reasons I started this blog.
In the lead track off his upcoming album, The Next Logical Progression, “Protocol” feature one sexy little lady with some spice, Samantha Kravitz. She leads it off for Gift to throw in those classic lines of his. Seriously, what MC nowadays can flow like this I’d really like to know (I know they’re out there).
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/29314173" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18"]
I haven’t heard anything that breakthrough in hip-hop lately, so I thought I’d dig through my collection and find something noteworthy. Blackalicious, along with the rest of the Quannum crew, were a main reason for my first interests in hip-hop. Their West Coast, laid-back vibes made me rethink what hip-hop was all about. Nia may have had some killer tracks, but Blazing Arrow created a vibe that marked the Blackalicious sound.
Blazing Arrow may not be the most acclaimed album of its time, but it had a strong following and pushed hip-hop forward across The Bay. Gift of Gab put out some cunningly crafted rhymes, but without the backup of Chief Xcels beats, his words wouldn’t have flowed so freely. I put up some of the best from the album, but its entirety is well worth a listen.
If you’ve got anything fresh that reminds you of these two, post it up in the comments below.
On a side note, in case some of you’ve notice my site has been down for a couple of days. I’ve resolved the issue with my host and hopefully this shit doesn’t happen again. It was a pain in the ass, and I’m hopin’ for some smooth sailin’, at least for a while.
[audio:MakeYouFeelThatWay.mp3,4000Miles.mp3,BrainWashers.mp3|titles=Make You Feel That Way,4000 Miles,Brain Washers](Download Link in Full Article)
I’ve been a long time fan of the Quannum collective, but never got into Shadow’s work past Entroducing. Recently, the DJ Shadow team contacted me about featuring a new remix project – a compilation of remixes done by Shadow’s fans – so I thought this would be a good chance to check out more of his work… well, kinda…
Initially going through the album, I thought that most of the DJ’s did a decent job at putting their own spin on Shadow’s music, but none really stood out. There’s some that caught my ear but failed to keep my attention.
So I thought I’d turn to you guys. I’ve posted a couple of tracks on here for you to listen to and hopefully give some feedback on. If you want to listen to the full album it’s posted over at solesides. Hopefully we can find the track(s) that carry this album forward. I’ll post my thoughts in the comments below after I get a few more listens in.
[audio:BuildingSteam.mp3,WhatDoesYourSoulLookLike.mp3|titles=Building Steam With A Grain Of Salt (NiT GriT Mix),What Does Your Soul Look Like Part 2 (economics Version)](Download Link in Full Article)
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.
[audio:Cloud9.mp3|titles=Cloud 9](Download Link in Full Article)
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
[audio:GraniteEarth.mp3|titles=Granite Earth](Download Link in Full Article)
Ghost Ride the Whip (The Hyphy Movement) is a documentary based on where the Bay Area got its roots from and why the culture is like it is today. It covers many key proponents of the movement, including Keek da Sneek, E-40, and even M.C. Hammer, but one in particular is highlighted, Mac Dre.
When I first heard about Mac Dre in 2004 I had just started out college. My roommate, who’s from the Bay, was upset about a rapper who had been murdered. I had no idea who he was at the time, but since then I’ve gotten to know his music and now fully understand why Mac Dre will be missed so much. What makes him so memorable is his lyrically inventive rhymes, coming up with shit that’s still fresh & fun today. Not only that, he’s an artist that puts some amusement in hip hop, giving us a break from all the serious shit (which is definitely needed at times). To be fair though, many protest what Mac Dre and some others of the movement advocate, questioning its dangers.
Some elements of the Hyphy Movement include Ghost-riding & Thizzin’, which as fun as they may be… can be dangerous. But people need to realize that those elements are not what the Hyphy Movement is solely about. What it all really comes down to is having a good time or more commonly know there as: gettin’ stupid, goin’ stewie, etc. etc. (I tried looking up synonyms of go stupid without much success). Some may not understand why gettin’ stupid would be fun, but I think it’s just because they haven’t tried it themselves.
Whether your into Bay Area hip hop or not, this is an informative & entertaining film that all hip hop heads need to watch. I’ve also included one of Mac Dre’s best in case any of y’all don’t have anything to get stewie to. R.I.P. Mac Dre.
[audio:DoinWhatIDo.mp3|titles=Doin’ What I Do](Download Link in Full Article)
Crown City Rockers put on a smooth jazz sound with flows from Rasshan Ahmad. “Balance” takes on a nice laid back vibe with Ahmad’s freewheelin’ flows, which’s meant more for phonetical flavor than anything of a serious matter – it’s nice to get away from the political rap, once in a while. Crown City requires less thinkin’ and more feelin’, which is always good for a spring stroll around the city, unless you’re living in Minnesota where the forecast is rain… fuck it, I’m feelin’ a rain dance comin’ on anyway. Also noteworthy, the feature of this track, Scarub’s ever so soothing sound.
Hit me up with some feedback, I’ve got a lot more Bay Area relaxers if y’all feel it.
[audio:Balance.mp3|titles=Balance](Download Link in Full Article)
I’m gonna keep this short ’cause I’m feelin’ lazy (least I’m still posting). If you don’t know about Hiero, they created some of the best hip-hop in the late 90’s, early 00’s, and were among the best in the underground scene at the time.
I chose “Classic” because I already featured a song (“You Never Know“) from their first album, 3rd Eye Vision, and I’d say it’s one of their most notable songs. It’s got a classic beat, literally, which I’m guessing is why they named it “Classic” (I connect the dots just for you). As always, check it & give back some love (comment).
[audio:Classic.mp3|titles=Classic](Download Link in Full Article)
If all the best artists collaborated in one song… well, this would as close as it gets. Comprising of all the MC’s from the Quannum collective, including Lyrics Born, Gift of Gab, Lateef the Truth Speaker, etc plus they managed to get Jurassic 5 to feature, as well! It may be a little dated, just over 10 years old, but the damn thing still could be considered ahead of most hip-hop today. With a simple, yet funkalicious beat produced by DJ Shadow, Cut Chemist & whoever else, it’s another keeper for the collection. I’d point out my favorite parts of the track, but there are so damn many!… okay, i’ll point out one – go to 3:12 (love the voice, love the rhym). Give a shout out to your favorite part and as always tell me what ya think…
[audio:Concentration.mp3|titles=Concentration](Download Link in Full Article)
I ran into Language Arts Crew a couple years back, and wanted to give them credit for a few of their songs that’ve stuck with me over the years.
9 to 5, being one of them, first caught my attention when I heard it sample a few classic movies lines from Office Space and American Beauty (good Marketing technique!). It has some talented rhyming by the four MC’s of the group and one featured artist, X.I. I would try to type out the lyrics for you to follow along to (since there isn’t any online), but I’m too lazy and it’s too complicated (i’ve tried, it’s not easy). Anyways, give it a listen and tell me what ya think… then maybe i’ll feature some more of their finest!
By the way, the best part of the song is at 2:01 for both it’s rhyming and lyrical ability.
[audio:9-5.mp3|titles=9 to 5](Download Link in Full Article)