fans of underground rap?

[X*Cell]

Re: fans of underground rap?


Artist: Cesar Comanche
Album: Wooden Nickels (1998-1999) Revisited
Producer(s): 9th Wonder; Yorel; Von Lee; Big Dho; Cesar Comanche
Release: 7/7/2006

There was nothing special about Wooden Nickels (the first release), so I had no idea why it had to be revisited. Pretty much, nothing changed from the first album, and so he re-released an album to a nation of people like me, who thought he might drop something hot. Apparently, 9th Wonder works with him out of sympathy. He gives him his subpar beats, the beats that you usually kick to the side, because you aren't happy with the finished product. That's alright. Everyone has a folly here and there. 9th doesn't get rid of them though. He obviously gives them to Cesar Comanche, and leaves him to cut albums that visually look like they were put together by a 3rd grade art class. I've never really liked Cesar Comanche, and this cd will put an end to a short short streak of buying his below-average albums.

• Grade:
  • 72% (C-)
• Song to Download:
  • "WJLR" ft. Big Dho
  • Produced by:
    • 9th Wonder

[X*Cell]

Re: fans of underground rap?


Artist: Median
Album: The Path to Relief (2002) Revisited
Producer(s): 9th Wonder; Khrysis; Eccentric
Release: 7/7/2006

It's always good to go back and listen to some 9th Wonder, and his deep underground productions. Although the product doesn't match what he produces for some other groups or artists, he does a great job with some of the beats on this album. "Maglite" is an incredible song in the least. The beat is a masterpiece, and its flowed over well. Median sounds like a slightly deeper voiced Q-Tip from the Tribe, que the song "Relectric Elaxation". Sadly, its probably the worst song on the cd, but kudos to the development team of this project who put the math together, and included some intelligent thoughts within Median's Path to Relief. Median is definetely worthy of further investigation, so he accomplished what I think is probably his most sought-after goal.

• Grade:
  • 88% (B+)
• Song to Download:
  • "Maglite"
  • Produced by:
    • 9th Wonder

[sportsdude]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Well I've heard the entire new Jurassic 5 album, and about half of the new Roots album. Unimpressed with the J-5 album. Some songs are pretty good, and some are, well, I don't really know what they were thinking. I'm already sick of the song where they collab with Dave Matthews.

As far as the new Roots, it's a slightly different direction compared to their past two albums, but I like most of the songs so far, and Black Thought really shines. So far my favorite songs are Game Theory and Clock With No Hands.

Also, Xcell, have you thought about writing music reviews for a newspaper or magazine or Web site? Seems like you really enjoy it, and you always do a very thorough and good job with them, I don't know, maybe start a music review blog for free and see where it goes. Just a thought.

[JiggidyJames]

Re: fans of underground rap?

I didn't even know Game Theory got leaked. This leaked/retail version is a little different than the 8 track version I heard two months ago. Still, it's unimpressive. Maybe I'll change my mind depending on the mastering, but I don't have high hopes.

[X*Cell]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Also, Xcell, have you thought about writing music reviews for a newspaper or magazine or Web site? Seems like you really enjoy it, and you always do a very thorough and good job with them, I don't know, maybe start a music review blog for free and see where it goes. Just a thought.

Thanks mah dude!!! I will consider that option... personally when it comes to music... I like making it, which is why I feel entitled to review so many albums... Since I listen to so much music, I feel it helps my progress, and helps me improve...

if you wanna hear some of my stuff... www.myspace.com/noahsyed

For now with the reviews... I will continue to keep my OS buds informed on the newest cd's i get.

[sportsdude]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Thanks mah dude!!! I will consider that option... personally when it comes to music... I like making it, which is why I feel entitled to review so many albums... Since I listen to so much music, I feel it helps my progress, and helps me improve...

if you wanna hear some of my stuff... www.myspace.com/noahsyed

For now with the reviews... I will continue to keep my OS buds informed on the newest cd's i get.

Decent stuff man, keep up the good work. I really like the song "Before". You make those beats yourself?

[X*Cell]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Decent stuff man, keep up the good work. I really like the song "Before". You make those beats yourself?

i don't make the beats... i am not a producer... but I'm hoping to find a guy who is very talented at it, that will be my personal producer.

Thanks for the compliments.

[X*Cell]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Latest blog from Phonte of Little Brother ( www.myspace.com/littlebrother ) :

"Its no backpedalin, mutha****as meddlin:" Tigallo's response to Byron Crawford
So, Byron Crawford did the honor of shouting me out in his blog today on XXL, saying that I was right for stating that certain hip hop is too smart for poor Black people. He later accused me of ' furiously backpedaling' from this statement, which ironically, I never made in the first place.

Ain't nobody backpedaling over here, but I do appreciate the shout out nonetheless, Bol. (You can read his blog here at http://xxlmag.com/online/?p=3132 as well as check out a new Little Brother/ DJ A-Trak joint in the 'bangers' section. Somebody call VH1, stat. Phonte is truly having the best week ever.)

Anyways, I DO think that the majority of the hip-hop audience is dumb, but not because they DONT LIKE Little Brother (as I've been misquoted as saying several times over), or because our music is too intelligent for them (which I never said), but because they have to be TOLD what to like or not like.

This has been proven time and time again on both sides of the spectrum, from a pre-heavy rotation DFB performing "White Tee" to crickets, to a pre-'College Dropout' Kanye performing "All Falls Down" to crickets.

This has NOTHING to do with race and/or class (although his 'too smart for poor black people' was a great attention-catching leadline), and everything to do with a lack of independent thinking in our society at large. (I mean, you do realize that "tastemaker" is an actual term used in the music business, right?)

In this country, everything from Top 40 radio to the war on 'terrorism,' all operates on one principle: if you play it/say it enough, eventually the people will believe you. Repetition is law.

For the cats who purchased "Minstrel Show" or any other LB project and genuinely wasnt moved, hey, at least you gave it an honest shot and I appreciate it. Everything ain't for everybody.

However, if you think the SOLE reason that LB isnt selling is because our music just 'isnt that good,' you're very naive.

Tastes are made, not chosen.

Now, if Atlantic Records pours a ****load of money/promotion/called-in favors, etc. into "Getback," and niggas still do 80K, Ill be the first one to say "yall told me so."

Until then, your best bet is to fall back and watch me. (Which, judging from all the hit dogs hollering on the internet over my simple comments, yall are obviously doing).

And doing it very well, I might add.

Peace,
<!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_473744-->Tay

I think he's spot on in this blog... and that's why I listen to what I listen... I have a mind of my own, and noone can tell me otherwise, or try to shove some kind of garbage down my throat because its on the radio 40 times a day.

I listen to what's hot... and that's usually LB, BCC, OC, Brand Nu, Time Machine, PUTS, Doom, Murs, and all those cats... its just dope music to the fullest.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: fans of underground rap?

I can't believe I still haven't picked up Minstrel Show. What the hell is wrong with me.

[X*Cell]

Re: fans of underground rap?

I can't believe I still haven't picked up Minstrel Show. What the hell is wrong with me.

lol yeah (or "Seperate but Equal" for that matter)... you definetely should give "Minstrel Show" a pick up...

Seperate but Equal was incredible too...

another very great thing about this group is that I never find myself skipping over their intro/interlude/skits/outro tracks... they are so very entertaining... they are hilarious guys... I don't find myself doing that with any other artists' album.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Well, Minstrel Show I can get for $6, I'm just surprised I haven't yet.

[JiggidyJames]

Re: fans of underground rap?

I like Little Brother, but I truly believe that all the stuff that's been going on with them is their "gimmick". They don't get on BET because the video for "Lovin' It" is too smart? It started some serious conversation, and probably sold more records for them if the video was played. The whole curiosity factor. The "us against the machine" way of thinking. It was a way for Atlantic to get some advertising without spending a lot of money. A Rap group from North Carolina doesn't get signed to a major to sell 100k in this day and age, unless it's by design.

Remember, they are on a major label. I learned a long time ago not to trust anything or anyone that comes out on a major.

[jmood88]

Re: fans of underground rap?

I like Little Brother, but I truly believe that all the stuff that's been going on with them is their "gimmick". They don't get on BET because the video for "Lovin' It" is too smart? It started some serious conversation, and probably sold more records for them if the video was played. The whole curiosity factor. The "us against the machine" way of thinking. It was a way for Atlantic to get some advertising without spending a lot of money. A Rap group from North Carolina doesn't get signed to a major to sell 100k in this day and age, unless it's by design.

Remember, they are on a major label. I learned a long time ago not to trust anything or anyone that comes out on a major.

What are you talking about? So Atlantic is deliberately limiting their career by making up a gimmick that they can use? There are plenty of groups signed to majors that don't get any publicity or advertising but the difference between them and little brother is that they were huge before they got signed and they actually put out albums. They haven't gotten any advertising at all and most people wouldn't even know that they had another album out if they didn't look for it.

[WFU2521]

Re: fans of underground rap?

the pictures and captions LB just put on their myspace are hilarious.

minstrel show is awsome. there really isnt one weak track on it. and the only song i dont really like on the MS is "lovin it"

[X*Cell]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Tracks I love on The Minstrel Show:

Not Enough
Lovin' It
Sincerely Yours

Tracks I like:

Welcome to the Minstrel Show
Beautiful Morning
Hiding Place
Slow It Down
Say it Again
5th and Fashion
Diary of a Mad Black Daddy
All For You
Watch Me

Tracks that are Okay:

The Becoming
Minstrel Show Closing Theme

Tracks I don't Like:

Cheatin'
Still Lives Through
We Got Now