This is my 2nd posting of The Pharcyde (1st post). I actually should’ve posted this one first, but at the time I was really into Runnin’. Anyways, I’d have to say that She Said is in one of my favorite hip-hop classics. Ever since I started listening to it (been a while), it’s always had that uncanny ability to bring out all those damn emotions in me (particularly when inebriated); and not just in this song, the Pharcyde do it consistently, emanating passion and soul throughout their music, which sadly isn’t found in hip-hop enough these days. If half the rappers had what these guys did in the 90’s, you wouldn’t need me to go digging around through endless shit to find “real hip-hop” (but that’s what I’m here for). Give it a listen and light one up (if ya got it), it’ll make it all the better ;)
Best part @ 2:53 – goddamn does Tre Hardson lay down some of the best rhymes I have ever heard in a song.
[audio:SheSaid.mp3|titles=She Said](Download Link in Full Article)
If you haven’t heard of Jurassic 5 (J5) then you’re in for a treat; although, if you’re at all into underground hip-hop you probably have. J5 is among the greatest hip-hop groups of this era. I might say this about a lot of groups, but along with Hieroglyphics, J5 truly is the best. The group features some great solo acts (again, like Hiero); Chali 2na, probably their most notable MC, has one of the most recognizable voices in the biz. In fact, when I was in London a few months back, the few hip-hop enthusiasts I came across all knew of 2na’s voice, or at least J5’s sound. Unfortunately, 2na isn’t featured on this track, but I did feature one of his solo projects a while back (found here).
The song I decided to feature, High Fidelity, includes Mark 7even & Zaakir with DJ Nu-Mark on the turntables. There were a grip of songs I could have chosen from Power in Numbers (J5’s second LP), but this is by far the most memorable to me. I usually get into why it’s so memorable (and blah blah blah), but it probably bores most of you, so I won’t. There’s not much I can say to give this song justice (I never seem to), but the rhymes are fluid with a finesse that J5 does best. Give it a listen, and if you haven’t heard of ’em before, tell me what you think… If you have, I already know ;).
[audio:HighFidelity.mp3|titles=High Fidelity](Download Link in Full Article)
People Under the Stairs may not be the biggest hip-hop duo, but they are well known throughout the underground scene. Not only do they catch the beat right with their rhymes, but their instrumentals are something fresh & innovative. I decided to go with The Breakdown as the first feature of theirs because it’s the song that’s stuck with me the most. It may not have the lyrics that Acid Raindrops has, or the soothing beat of San Fransisco Knights, but the rhymes posses a finesse trademark of P.U.T.S.
[audio:TheBreakdown.mp3|titles=The Breakdown](Download Link in Post)
I’ve been following The Pharcyde ever since getting into underground hip-hop (around six years ago). Initially, I liked the group, but didn’t realize their true talent until hearing their third album “Plain Rap”, a while later. Since getting to know them, they’ve shown me a talent I rarely see in hip-hop. Even back in ’92, the group had heavy influences from jazz & R&B, showing the group had progressed far beyond what the mainstream was doing at the time. Where most hip-hop groups were rapping to a stale beat, The Pharcyde were weaving their humble, yet profound lyrics into a rich set of instrumentals. A good example of this (among many) is Runnin’.
[audio:Runnin.mp3|titles=Runnin’](Download Link in Post)