fans of underground rap?

[X*Cell]

Re: fans of underground rap?


Artist: Talib Kweli & Madlib
Album: Liberation
Producers: Madlib

With some of Talib Kweli's latest releases like this specific album in which he joins forces with Madlib, his Blacksmith Music record label is slated for future success, and there isn't anything anyone can do about it. While this cd doesn't strike me, there are a few songs that have me pumped for the future. If one could make a few good songs, maybe he can convert that to ALL good songs. Besides that, the album's marquee track "Funny Money" from his upcoming album of the same name is pretty rediculous (in a good god, this is too creative for comfort sort of way). "Happy Home" and "The Show" are also nice breaks away from the norm. Hopefully Talib can break out of his B and C grade slumps. It's pretty obvious to the underground hip hop community (even the mainstream one) that Talib has A-game.

• Grade:
  • B
• Song to Download:
  • "Funny Money"
  • Produced By:
    • Madlib

[Gmoney2002]

Re: fans of underground rap?

XCell, I think JMood mentioned this already but, isn't Black is Back just a re-release of the 9TH Wonder remix album he had a while back?

[X*Cell]

Re: fans of underground rap?

XCell, I think JMood mentioned this already but, isn't Black is Back just a re-release of the 9TH Wonder remix album he had a while back?

Like we said before... It was never an official remix album. 9th Wonder remixed all the tracks and most of them got leaked all over the internet. This is the official release of his remixed tracks. He's actually getting money for his work now.

[Brandwin]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Brother Ali - The Undisputed Truth retail leaked. I think it's the same as the advance, but not positive. I just skimmed through the advance, so...

[Kruza]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Artist: Redman
Album: Red Gone Wild
Producers: E3; Adam Deitch & Chris "Max" Pinset (3); Timbaland; Pete Rock; Rockwilder (3); Scott Storch; Erick Sermon (3); Da Mascot (2); DJ Clark Kent; Watts; Vitamin D; Tha Chill; Da Omen

The album starts off strong. Good track after good track, it can easily get the party started. Let the disc spin for too long and you end up listening to the same ol' same old. The songs show no clear-cut differences halfway through then what they equip in the beginning, and it can get boring. However, the best song on the album is near the end and features the likes of Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg for one of the best songs about marijuana ever made. Click the album title to Download the cd. It's definetely a good cd to have. Pretty solid.

• Grade:
  • B
• Song to Download:
  • "Merry Jane" ft. Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg
  • Produced By:
    • Rockwilder

After listening to this album a lot for a full week now, I can say I mostly agree with this rating. Even though he's one of my favorite MCs ever, I'll be objective here as to what I think of it.

First of all, it's about time it has dropped. It was initially scheduled to come out during November of '05. It was a long time overdue!

At any rate, Red Gone Wild: Thee Album sounds like a cross between Whut: Tee Album, Muddy Waters and Doc's Da Name 2000, taking the best of what each of those albums offer. It's unquestionably a party album laced with Redman's trademark wacky, off-the-wall lyrics that will make you laugh or go "WTF is he saying?!" just about every minute listening to him and frequently look for that rewind button.

What's surpring to me is that in the past, the E-Double (a.k.a. Erick Sermon of EPMD) and Red had produced at least 90% of the tracks on all of Red's albums along with a track from Rockwilder thrown in. But for RGW, Red got around to getting a lot of his tracks produced from outside sources which also includes Rockwilder. This album has tracks with that "southern bounce" to it ("Sumtn 4 Ur Body") or G-Funk groove ("Merry Jane") -- the type of tracks a longtime listener of the Funk Doctor couldn't ever imagine him using on his own albums even a decage ago. But I can understand why that is the case. Rap is in a different era now. It's a different type of market of listeners that Red has to appeal in both the mainstream audience and majority of underground audience who didn't hear him during his "Funkadelic Devil" days. Red does a very good job of appealing to every crowd with the general sound scope of this album. But with that said, I have to admit I miss all the Parliament Funkadelic samples from the earlier Redman albums, or even that one track from each album from Red that samples from a song by the Mary Jane Girls. But that's just the fan in me talking there. Besides, he has to compromise in some ways to sell records. That's just the way it is.

Without a doubt, the hype joint of the album is most definitely "Put It Down". Timbaland know he can make some hot club bangers. I wouldn't be suprised at all if this song turns out to be lead single and eventual lead video for the album. It's certainly worthy enough to be one. My #1 favorite track, though, is "Walk In Gutta". It's great for me to hear the Def Squad together again. The reggae-styled hip-hop track "Blow Treez" with Method Man is also outstanding, along with old schoolish "Freestyle Freestyle". It's also great to note that the Sooperman Luva series is still intact. Let's just say Red doesn't disappoint with the latest episode.

Overall, RGW doesn't top any of Redman's holy trinity of classic albums of the early- to mid-'90s, but it stands alone as a solid 4th place... ahead of Doc's Da Name 2000 and way ahead of Malpractice.

And by the way the best marijuana-related rap song ever is "How To Roll A Blunt". It's entertaining... plus it serves as a helpful tool for novices. :-)

Kruza

[jmood88]

Re: fans of underground rap?

How important are beats for everyone in here? For me, beats are just as important as the lyrics and if someone picks some terrible beats it's really hard for me to listen to the album. Maybe it's just me but I don't know.

[X*Cell]

Re: fans of underground rap?

How important are beats for everyone in here? For me, beats are just as important as the lyrics and if someone picks some terrible beats it's really hard for me to listen to the album. Maybe it's just me but I don't know.

co-sign. It's the foundation of a song...

I can listen to a song with a GREAT beat and POOR lyrics, and still maybe enjoy it.

A song with a POOR beat and GREAT lyrics... just doesn't do it for me.

[JiggidyJames]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Yeah, it's about the beat. The DJ is the backbone of Hip-Hop and the producer is the technically the DJ. The more things change, they more they stay the same.

I'm not gonna lie, it's a lot harder to find a guy who can make a bunch of good beats than it is to find a guy who can come up with good verses. Hell, I feel stronger about my favorite producers than I do my favorite MCs.

[X*Cell]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Yeah, it's about the beat. The DJ is the backbone of Hip-Hop and the producer is the technically the DJ. The more things change, they more they stay the same.

I'm not gonna lie, it's a lot harder to find a guy who can make a bunch of good beats than it is to find a guy who can come up with good verses. Hell, I feel stronger about my favorite producers than I do my favorite MCs.

agreed.

[Kruza]

Re: fans of underground rap?

I have to give thumbs up to Domingo's latest LP The Most Underrated. Nice album. It's put together somewhat like a mixtape with all the different group of MCs Domingo has on it. As for who's on this album, there is established MCs the likes of Kane, G Rap, Guru, Ras Kass, Non-Phixion, Immortal Technique flowing on it. Plus there are lesser known talent like Joell Ortiz and Rugged Intellect, who just might have the best verse on the entire album. With that said, I don't think TMU stands up to the two Game Over compilation albums Domingo contributed to producing. However, I do think this is better album overall than his own last full-length LP Behind the Doors of the 13th Floor that dropped in '99, even though none of the tracks on this album matches the standout posse cut "Line of Fire" on that one.

Anyway, I recommend TMU for those who like listening to boom bap East Coast style of beats.

Kruza

[Gmoney2002]

Re: fans of underground rap?

How important are beats for everyone in here? For me, beats are just as important as the lyrics and if someone picks some terrible beats it's really hard for me to listen to the album. Maybe it's just me but I don't know.

Yezzzir, I'll cosign as well.

The beat is the most important thing to me. Like I said in a previous post, an excellent beat can carry an average lyricist. While an excellent beat can uplift an amazing lyricist. The beat draws you in the song first then the lyrics carry you to the end of the song. As usual I will use Primo as an example.

Average lyricist example A: Jeru the Damaja, Guru, Blazhay Blazhay, Big Shug
Amazing lyricist example B: Nas, Jay, Biggie, Rakim, Jadakiss

One of the best examples out there was Canibus. He was, and arguably still is, one of the best lyricist around. However, his debut album was one of the worst debuts in history. One of the main reason for this, in my opinon, was the production. The beats were average at best and no matter how good he was on the tracks, they lacked punch.

XCell, I had forgotten his remix album wasn't actually distributed hehe. it was so widespread, I had forgotten. My favourite remix tracks are "Threat" and "Allure"

[X*Cell]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Yezzzir, I'll cosign as well.

The beat is the most important thing to me. Like I said in a previous post, an excellent beat can carry an average lyricist. While an excellent beat can uplift an amazing lyricist. The beat draws you in the song first then the lyrics carry you to the end of the song. As usual I will use Primo as an example.

Average lyricist example A: Jeru the Damaja, Guru, Blazhay Blazhay, Big Shug
Amazing lyricist example B: Nas, Jay, Biggie, Rakim, Jadakiss

One of the best examples out there was Canibus. He was, and arguably still is, one of the best lyricist around. However, his debut album was one of the worst debuts in history. One of the main reason for this, in my opinon, was the production. The beats were average at best and no matter how good he was on the tracks, they lacked punch.

XCell, I had forgotten his remix album wasn't actually distributed hehe. it was so widespread, I had forgotten. My favourite remix tracks are "Threat" and "Allure"

yes... "Threat" is amazing... I love "December 4th" as well.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Wait a minute. Xcell what is your avatar? Do you have the new Foreign Exchange??

[X*Cell]

Re: fans of underground rap?

Wait a minute. Xcell what is your avatar? Do you have the new Foreign Exchange??

No... that is from Phonte's blog... but it got you thinking hehehehe

[X*Cell]

Re: fans of underground rap?


Artist: Supastition & DJ Forge
Album: Guest of Honor (The Mixtape)
Producers: Analogic; Croup; DJ Forge (3); DJ Spinna; Freestyle; Illmind; Jake One; Khrysis (2); M-Phazes (3); Marco Polo (2); Muneshine; Oddisee

You get what you expect with this Supastition album. Good beats, good lyrics, but too much hate for the mainstream. I mean, I'm no fan of it myself, but this guy dwells on the subject to the point where his fridge on cribs is filled with ******ade rather than Gatorade. More downfalls to the album is that Supastition seemed to get lazy and stopped calling dudes to contribute to his mixtape. 12 of the 24 tracks aren't even owned by Supastition. He is featured on those tracks though. Knowing Supastition's skills, I wasn't impressed, but I was content, so don't get me wrong. Make sure to download or find the Song to Download (or you can IM if you want), because it's pretty nasty. I hope that song professes what is in store for Little Brother's "Getback". What I don't get is that at the upper left of the cover art, it says "New Mixtape". What happens in a few years when I go diggin in the crates and I pull this out?

• Grade:
  • B-
• Song to Download:
  • "Doing Me" by Little Brother ft. Supastition
  • Produced By:
    • Khrysis