from Landing Gear (Razor & Tie, 2008) Devin The Dude - “Bad Company“
from Hi Life (Rap-A-Lot, 2008)
Popular opinion was always that the Rap-A-Lot was holding Devin back commercially (at least on a national level). Had he broken from the label to a major in the late 90s, on the cusp of Chronic 2001 hype, he could’ve probably been a pretty big star. Or at least made some sort of Afroman future stoner ringtone success. But he didn’t, he released three more albums with Rap-A-Lot that went mostly unnoticed by anybody but the type of person who buys Rap-A-Lot releases (and, very late in the game, blogocritical pitchfork types). About 8 years too late, he finally leaves his RAL contract only to drop a record that can only be described as half baked on another quasi-indie label. Except this one pushes Joan Baez and Kidz Bop compilations instead of Z-Ro and Face. Seems like a wise move. [Read more]
FSD’s got Common’s Demo Tape. Plenty of voice cracking and food similes. (Bonus beat: No ID is talking “Common album produced by Me & Ye in 09′…” in the comments. I wonder if Dion can save Com from himself at this point.)
I don’t know if it’s diminishing returns or what, but I am finding myself caring less and less about the VH1 Hip Hop Honors shows, even with three of my favorite acts of all time - Short, Slick Rick and De La - being honored this year. Never the less, here are things I wrote down while watching the rerun this morning. I have the attention span of a four year old, so forgive me if I missed something of great importance. [Read more]
I frequently get reader email asking for more Gucci Mane (Seriously. Gucci fans won’t leave me alone.) Sorry guys. Truth be told, I have been trying to boycott the recently reincarcerated trapstar until he does his namesake right with a proper cover of MC Holiday’s “Gucci Man”. That record was so monumental that Slick Rick impersonator MC Holiday had no choice but to become the character for life (or at least for one more sucky 12″ before disappearing forever). Come to think of it Holiday/OG Gucci and his modern day sucessor have something of a shared sense of humor - tell me you couldn’t hear Gooch Laflair talking about “it smelled like dead fish”.
Another possible interpolation opportunity : Gucci Crew II’s “Gucci Man”. Or anything from their catalog, really. Do the Gucci legacy right when you come home. And forward a cut of the royalties to the Cocaineblunts needs a new cartridge charity fund.
La La The Leader of The Pack featuring MC Flash - “The Wop“
from The Wop 12″ (Jam-All, 1985)
One more jam before I go. This one comes from the depths of cheese world. There were many records made to cash in on the wop dance craze but this is probably the only one to have an avant garde violin break down for no reason in particular. La La was a dude from Philly and MC Flash. Strangely this record was co-produced by Jamaaladeen Tacuma, which would make him one of the earliest jazz musicians to attempt a cross over to this thing called hip hop. So it’s sort of prescient. Maybe if we build a time machine, go back to 1984, and kill him we can prevent the endless string of jazz hop abominations that would follow. Not to say this record is any less corny, but I rock it. I like the drum programming. But not the Seinfeld bass. [Read more]
from Cops Ain’t Shit 12″ (Bazooka/On Top/Joey Boy, 1991)
Here are a pair of joints from Al Kapone’s (then MC Al) old crew Men of the Hour on Bazooka records (also home to Radical T). “Cops Ain’t Shit” is the standout, with its “Triggerman” loop and NWA inspired police hatred (the canned guitars I could do without, but whatever). I’m generally not a fan of rappers not named Bushwick Bill rapping about how psychotic they are, but “Psycho” is kind of nice, I suppose. More braggadocio than horrorcore. [Read more]
from Child For A Freestyle EP (Righteous / Yo, 1991) Born MF 2wice f/ Bun B - “7 Executioners“
from U Have The Right To Remain Violent (Bigga, 1993)
So getting back to the essence of this site, I am about to be ripping a ton of joints that you’ve never heard. Starting with Houston’s Born 2wice aka B-2. [Read more]
Maurice just put me up on DJ Burn One’s BLVD ST blog, which has been smashing the internet into little bits and pieces with atlantacentric exclusives and rarities: Jim Crow’s shelved interscope album, a circa 94 Toomp DJ routine and an unreleased Bubba Sparxxx/Mr. DJ joint. And that’s just from the last three days! Obviously it’s an instant addition to my very short blog roll.
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