We still get a lot of hip hop submissions, despite our lack of featuring hip hop these days. We did manage to gather a good bunch to show our appreciation for the style that inspired this blog in the first place, including one of our biggest inspirations, Raw Poetic.
Now this list has as many hip hop influences as influences elsewhere, however, the emcee is our focus. The syntax & phonetics rap has brought to music is why we loved it the most in the past and why we love it the most right now.
I’ve been sittin’ on Restoring Poetry in Music’s Kingdom of Fireflies for too long, so I thought I’d at least share a piece for now. The thing is, it’s not that easy for me to do a write up on a full album, it’s hard enough to do just a song. More importantly though, this is a band that’s so special to us. RPM’s second album, Pyramids in Moscow, was one of the main reasons this blog ever came about — it’s still one of our best finds!
So instead of halfassing a write up on Kingdom of Fireflies, I thought I’d just throw y’all a taste. ‘Catfish Blues’ is definitely the track that takes me back to what I originally loved most in RPM. Raw Poetic’s heavy flow always seems to flow smoothly on top these trip-tronic tracks.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/64305815" iframe="false" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18"]
Been a long time fan of Raw Poetic – he’s one of the main reasons for this blog – but when I first heard ‘Stealin Bread,’ it sounded like a whole ‘nother man. Raw P’s been changing up his style lately and it may not compete with the nostalgia of his earlier tracks, but I can more than respect a musician trying to change things up, not enough do!
Way back in the days of RPM, I knew Raw P as one smooth ass rapper who glided over his band better than most singers.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/16281872" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18"]
More recently though, he’s been experimenting with his sound in a more blues rock styled pace (still gliding well, though).
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/48251698" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18"]
His latest release, ‘Stealin Bread,’ however, shocked/confused the hell out of me because I could barely tell it was him at all. Maybe with time, age and everything that goes with it, his voice changed to a more raspy, aged rhyme… or maybe he’s just doing some more experimenting. Whatever it is, I don’t see enough change in most musicians that I see in Raw P and that right there is something to take notice to.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/55712764" iframe="false" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18"]
I don’t think I’ve ever disliked a Raw Poetic track. This may not be surprising if you’re listening to “Streamline,” but I rarely ever like every song of someone’s. (knock on wood)
For “Streamline,” Damu & Raw P team up to dish out some fine jazz rap. Weren’t these two suppose to be working on something else… ah yea, that new Panacea album. Well, I don’t know if Damu’s in on that, but I can already tell this is going to be a very Raw Poetic year.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/35896782" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18"]
Raw P is one of the most underrated rappers. I’ve followed him for some time and he always impresses, always. He’s usually lending those smooooth raps to Panacea or RPM, but it’s nice to hear him on a fresh beat. I haven’t heard of K-Def much lately, but those tunes are right up Raw P’s alley.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/31166422" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18"]
I was first introduced to K-Murdock through his stylings with Restoring Poetry in Music (RPM). He’s not technically a part of the band, but has contributed to it, as you’ll soon see. I’ve mostly gotten to know his work through Panacea and more recently his collaboration with Mega Ran, entitled Forever Famicom. But now going through his SoundCloud, I’m beginning to realize how much more he has to offer.
I’ll admit, I was a Raw Poetic fanatic and didn’t want to hear anything K would do without him. It took me long enough to listen to him and Mega Ran, but now hearing everything else, I realize how expansive his sound is. As much as I love his work in Panacea, I began to lose touch with them in their more recent albums. Going through all his other side projects on SC, from his work with rap artists I’ve admired for years to some absolutely gorgeous female vocals I’ve never heard, I’m pissed I didn’t get to it til now.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/16281872" params="player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=292929" height="18"]
Uzi Octopus is a side project from a long admired hip-hop band of mine, Restoring Poetry in Music (RPM). Not quite sure when the project’s gonna drop or really any more information about it – they really need to get their ass goin’ on the whole online marketing thang – but I know it just finished up, so expect a release date soon.
“Let It Fall Aside”, the first single to hit the ‘net, features RPM’s very own MC, Raw Poetic. I gotta imagine he’ll be on the entire album and, hopefully, P-Fritz will lend some backup vocals, as well (amazing voice).
Until the release, check out a few of RPM’s stuff and another side project gone legit duo, Panacea.
[audio:Let-It-Fall-Aside.mp3|titles=Let It Fall Aside (feat. Raw Poetic)]
Who better to do our first CONTEST with than one of the hip-hop duos that got us goin, Panacea. The two just released The Producer’s Cut of Ink Is My Drink with new & improved interludes and we’ve got a few to give out to you!
How to enter:
(1) hit up the re-released Ink is My Drink on Bandcamp
(2) tell us your favorite track and why through:
(a.) Our Facebook post (‘like’ it!)
(b.) Twitter (bonus for following us!)
* You can submit once on Facebook & once on Twitter for two possible entries into the contest.
** Winner will be chosen by K-Murdock, Raw P & myself based on the best answer (most thoughtful / comical).
Yes, I know this is a little dated, but that “Colorful Storms” remix caught my attention and had to give it more play. I checked out the full album by Damu, Spare Time, and found a few more gems to add.
I’ve been following Damu’s work with Panacea & Y-Society for a while now, but haven’t swooped up his solo shit till now. Half of Spare Time is a bunch of instrumental electro-jazz, but where it really comes to shine is when Damu mixes in a few well versed MC’s. Raw Poetic, Kev Brown, Insight & even a little Guru sample in these four tracks – and shows again why rap was made for jazz (or is it the other way around).
[audio:Colorful-Storms-Remix.mp3|titles=Colorful Storms (Damu Remix)]
Lately I’ve rehashed a couple songs that I’d mentioned before, but only because they’re incredible tracks – “There U R” being among the most incredible of them all. I’ve been a long time fan of Restoring Poetry in Music, and I thought for my 100th post I’d feature a track from, if not my favorite, one of my favorite hip hop albums to date, Pyramids in Moscow.
“There U R” is a relaxing meditation on rekindling that love from long ago with Raw Poetic’s smooth & sincere lyrics. Backup vocals are done by Patrick Fritz, and really put a nice touch on an already heartwarming track. P-Fritz also supports my claim, which I’ve spoken about many times on this blog, that mixing a singer’s voice into a rap song can bring a whole ‘nother element to the piece. Basically, rap + singing = good!
Give it a listen and let me know how you think the two play off each other. Also, if you like this song then definitely check out “Sleep Walkers“, it’s my favorite song by RPM (followed closely by “There U R”).
[audio:ThereUR.mp3|titles=There U R](Download Link in Full Article)