Every now and then a legend will come through a leading podcast (seemingly more and more now as podcasts it seems are where the gems are hidden these days) and drop a few jewels that fans and fellow hip hop nerds have never heard before, and on The Drink Champs podcast, Talib Kweli came through and did just that.
Kweli stopped in to The Drink Champs podcast to talk about a few things, most notably first meeting Kanye West. "Kanye come through the door, I never seen this nigga, I never heard of this nigga. He said 'I'm here to meet Mos Def.' I said 'well guess what, he might not show up. But who are you?' He said 'Mos Def told me to meet him here, I got some beats.' I said 'play me the beats. I'm working on an album.'" And as you know, the rest is history. Check out the rest of the story in the interview below. It gets a tad annoying with N.O.R.E constantly interrupting Talib's story, but is mostly entertaining.
If you haven't heard of Rawkus Records then you're certainly missing out on some hip hop GEMS. The hip hop label Rawkus Records was founded in 1996, and even though their hip hop domination didn't last for long, they certainly brought up big names that are still giants in the game even today, such as Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek, and they've also had multiple legendary names record to their production, such as Common and Pharoahe Monch, but probably the most notable rapper to make music with them is Eminem. When it comes to Eminem's career, obviously he is seen as one of the most decorated rappers ever, but not many people know about his (more so) underground stuff. Which is why I'm here to shed light on these things (being the rap nerd that I so claim to be). What contributions did Eminem give to Rawkus? You're about to find out (*Funk Flex bomb drop noise*).
Eminem's hardcore fan base (Stans) would know more than anyone, but before Dr. Dre and Aftermath Records, before D12, and before Shady Records was even a thought, Eminem recorded some pretty bombastic rhymes for Rawkus in the mid to late 90s. This to me seems like the perfect Eminem; very hard raps while still remaining hilarious, and Em rapping over some catchy boom bap production (which has always been a question to many, Em can rap hard and sound even better over the right production).
("I liked the shit you did with Rawkus too, that shit was fat." = Stan's complimenting Eminem's earliest work.)
Doesn't this sound more like the hungry, battle rap-ready Eminem? The high voice may have been more annoying to some, but Eminem is practically the rap game Joker; absolutely hysterical in his rhymes and can make you fall on the floor from laughing, but if you mess with him (diss him), he will MURDER you.
I found this track interesting and had to look into more, and when I did I was hooked. You could ask anyone who calls themselves an Eminem fan, whether that means they've been listening since Infinite or the Slim Shady EP, whether that means they love Relapse and Recovery or they don't, Eminem's work with Rawkus Records is some truly special stuff, and it surely seems like Em is still pretty salty about them not making any offers to sign him, as made evident on the Marshall Mathers LP 2 bonus track "Don't Front." All we are left to wonder is "what could have been?" Surely Rawkus is kicking themselves for not seeing the potential Em had (that is, if they still exist).
So that's the post on Eminem and his little known (again, not to Stans', because they know everything Eminem) Rawkus Records stint. It's definitely something interesting to know if you like to dig into rappers' pasts and like to know how they really got to where they are at (in other words, if you're a proud rap nerd). Plus if you're a Stan (or know about any of Eminem's diss track history), you know that Eminem does not take others' disrespect very lightly, and he actually goes at Rawkus on a track on Marshall Mathers LP 2. Check out "Don't Front" below (you hear the diss around the 2:48 mark).
(*I do not own these songs, or the rights to them*)
If you don't know who Talib Kweli is, you probably don't know real hip hop. I'm totally kidding of course (who likes that type of person?), but to deny Kweli has had a huge influence in all of rap is an ignorant thing to do. His consistency as a rapper doesn't show up in records sales, it shows up in his skills as an emcee, and to say he is underrated (even today) is an understatement. It's truly fun to listen to Kweli kick skill on the mic, but his newest effort doesn't focus on just him, it focuses on the label he's pushing to become great: Javotti Media. Is Kweli pushing Javotti in the right direction? This remains to be seen, at least for now.
The first track, a Kweli solo spitting joint, starts with comedian Affion Crockett giving some hilarious opening banter. Crockett does this throughout the entire tape, and it surely adds a different vibe to the tape, it almost seems as if Affion is acting as the tape's DJ (just less annoying with no tags). But the track, titled "Another Day", is a smooth track that shows signs of the old school hip hop sound that Kweli is so well known for. The rhythmic drums and the steady bass line make for a good opening to warm you up for the rest of the tape.
The chill vibe is a consistent one throughout the tape, with slower paced beats that allow the rappers to differentiate and slow up flows that fit very well, an example of this being evident on "Cherry Beamer Dreaming" where rapper NIKO IS showcases his talents. The slow paced beats and vibe you can also find on tracks like "Boomerang", where "quality over quantity" is stressed, and it's hard to argue that it isn't. Other chilled out tracks include the smoker's anthem "Roll Me Up" featuring Altitude and Cory Mo, and perhaps the stand out track of the tape, "Everywhere I Go" featuring fellow speaker bumpers Big K.R.I.T and Curren$y. K.R.I.T lays down a smooth hook that certainly makes this track one to bump in the trunk.
The song "Dreams" ft. singer RES and the Piano Tribute Players is a truly heartfelt, masterful performance on piano and in singing. The first time I heard this I was truly moved, and I felt the pain and honesty in RES's voice as the thought crossed my mind that I had never heard anything like this before. We need to talk about this singer RES: I don't know where Kweli found her, but he surely is doing right if he plans to push her to be big. Her vocal talents on "Dreams" and the live version of "What's Real" are just a taste of her talents ("What's Real" makes me want to see Kweli and RES live), but she really steals the show on her very own solo singing track "For Who You Are", which resembles an old Spinners' song as its smooth jazzy sound mixed with her lovely vocals bring you back to old love songs, while at the same time presenting you with a fresh new sound that could take this girl far if she plays her cards right.
So in all, does Talib succeed with his new mix tape? You'd be crazy to say he doesn't, the great mix of songs, which includes lyrical acrobatics and jovial jams to soulful singing singles and uplifting efforts, definitely sounds like more an album than it does a mix tape, and even though nowadays it's become second nature for artists to put out their best work for free (some of it, at least), this tape becomes only a sample of what to expect from Kweli's ever growing Javotti media brand. The mix of originality with old school fits very well as usual for Kweli, and he looks to bring up a team that deserves recognition just as much as he does. I'll end this review with my personal favorite track from the tape, "D.R.E.A.M" featuring Kweli and Pharoahe Monch.
(*Disclaimer: I do not own any of these songs posted, or any of the rights to them*)
I love hip-hop. I could really talk about it just about all day. And being the lover of hip hop that I am requires loads of research. It can get tiring yes, but when you love something you'll go that much farther to learn more about it or make it happy (at least I don't have to buy it dinner though, that's always a plus). But recently my interest has peaked hearing about this MF DOOM character (just ONE of his characters, I might add), so I had to go back and do a bit of research on him, and I wasn't disappointed with what I found. Here are my 5 stand out MF DOOM tracks.
Rhymes Like Dimes
This was probably the first song from DOOM I heard, and it definitely had me wanting more just from hearing the beat. Highlights from DOOM's flow include lines like "classical slapstick rappers need chap stick", and he makes it all sound so great even without drums. One thing that definitely caught me by surprise though was the Bobbito feature towards the end of the track! I know nothing of his hip-hop history, but if you're a former PlayStation gamer like me, you know Bobbito from NBA Street Vol. 2!
One Beer
This song is an example of some fantastic sampling from DOOM (I'm not sure if he produced this song, but I do know he has a history of producing, most recently for Joey Bada$$), and he rides the beat effortlessly in his trademark, fast paced, never slowed down flow. I thought this sample had sounded familiar, and realized that Wiz Khalifa had used the same sound on the song "Visions" off of his incredibly successful Kush & Orange Juice mix tape.
America's Most Blunted
This song features a crazy, almost cartoon like beat and great verses from DOOM and the very fittingly trippy voiced Lord Quas. This track is definitely one for the smokers, it's evident by not only the sound of bong hits in the beginning, but the small Easter eggs put in towards the end of the track, sounds from who knows what. If I could say one thing about Madvilliany as a whole, it'd have to be that so far it's my favorite DOOM project to listen to, the beats are fantastic and DOOM is at the top of his game with his rhymes.
Old School Rules
This shit right here is RAW! Real rap raw (as the legendary Chocolate Droppa would say) is the only way to define this song, and with a beat that is just begging for some hard bars to be spit over it, DOOM and the legendary Talib Kweli do just that on this one. You could almost call this a cypher (certainly better than what we saw at the BET Awards this year)!
A.T.H.F
This is something I have never seen before in rap, and I have to say I like it a lot. I'm not even a big fan of Aqua Teen Hunger Force, but DOOM got them in a couple of skits, and even a song! Meatwad was spitting some hot rhymes on one of those tracks for a second. This comes from the Danger Doomalbum The Mouse and The Mask, which if you didn't know is a collaboration of DOOM and Danger Mouse (if you don't know Danger Mouse, he's produced a bunch of stuff for the Gorillaz). The Mouse and The Mask saw a couple of mainstream features for DOOM (like Ghostface Killah, Cee-Lo Green, and Talib Kweli) which is something you don't see a lot of.
So coming from a new DOOM listener, I have to say these tracks are definitely enough to keep me interested and see what else DOOM has to offer (although it's hard to keep track of all of his alias'). I have yet to listen to other great albums of his that were recommended, such as his Viktor Vaughn stuff and Black Bastards. Listening to his MM...FOOD album I feel like I was introduced to some of the core ways of how hip-hop started, with all of the features of samples talking about Doctor Doom and his evil reign of terror. Hip-hop truly is taking something and turning it into something better, and DOOM definitely did that with MM...FOOD, and he continues to do it with even his newer stuff, sticking to the roots of real emceeing and even producing. So if there's one thing I could say is thanks DOOM, maybe you're not so evil after all...
Iggy Azalea has built a reputation as one of the biggest names in pop today (at this moment right now, actually). Her music is practically everywhere, you'll hear it on radios, in the club, the bar, wherever you go you're bound to hear Iggy. You're also bound to hear any and every bit of news that surrounds Iggy (is there really an Iggy sex tape somewhere? Whoever has it, just do us all a favor and put it out, bless your heart). In this great thing we call hip hop, one thing that differentiates it from other musical genres is the freedom to express your opinion and have it seen not as hate, not as competition (sometimes), but as exactly that: a mere opinion. Although when it comes to publicity, especially for someone whose opinion might matter, it may mean more than just a "mere opinion".
Rah Digga came out to an interview with This Is 50 radio to talk about Iggy and how she feels about her and her association with hip hop, and had this to say: "Iggy Azalea, I can't get into her, because it's just not real to me. There is a white girl from Australia that spits in an Australian accent, and her name is Chelsea Jane. That I can get into. Teach me Australian hip hop culture. Don't come to America and try to convince me that you're Gangsta Boo. Personally, I don't consider her hip hop. I listen to her album. Everything that I hear on there is everything but that. And I feel like hip hop is hip hop."
So is Rah Digga hating on Iggy? At first glance you might say yes, but she does have a point. By definition (yeah, we're getting into the unwritten hip hop rule book on this one) Iggy isn't necessarily hip hop, but as far as new Iggy fans go (new meaning The New Classic Iggy fans, and not before that, although some "fans" probably didn't even buy the album) Iggy would probably be the closest thing to an influential woman figure in hip hop (unless you think Nicki Minaj is a real influence, but that's debatable).
Iggy isn't necessarily defined as inside-and-out hip hop. She has a history of being able to rap, and keeping up with the big boys even, but the deciding factor (to me, at least) is this The New Classic album. I didn't listen to the album so I can't say I gave Iggy an honest opinion on this post, but with singles like "Fancy" ft. Charli XCX, "Work", and "Change Your Life" ft. T.I., to some she could have a voice for rapping, but you really wouldn't know unless you heard her actually rap. Luckily, that's what I'm here for.
This would be considered my "counter point" to you Ms. Rah Digga (all respect due of course, I loved you on Talib Kweli's "Art Imitates Life" song)! Saying Iggy isn't hip hop is a stretch to me, but defining hip hop as a whole is a completely different argument. In that case, Iggy isn't hip hop at all, but the girl can definitely rap given the chance. Rah Digga might not have heard the best of Iggy to give her an honest opinion, so you can't knock her for that. But I would like to hear what the people think! Does Iggy have true rapping ability? Let me know in the comment section, on twitter (@SuperNovaRover), or on my Google+ page!
With Linkin Park making a triumphant comeback onto the music scene (once again) with their live performance on Yahoo this last Friday the 15th, I have to admit I was in awe. Growing up on Linkin Park, it was a nice blast from the past to see them to just kill the entire show, and that encore... oh my. What other bands can say they have as many hits as these guys? No really, I'll wait. Nothing? Alright then. Anyways, the performance was too awesome, but then I got to thinking about that Jay-Z collaboration they did awhile ago. Numb/Encore was one of my all time favorites growing up. One thing led to another, then eventually I was online looking up Kid Rock songs (don't judge me). So here is a list of some of my favorite rap/rock collaborations.
Linkin Park + Jay-Z - Numb/Encore
So obviously I had to pick this one with all the buzz Linkin Park has been creating lately with their new album. Plus that song with Rakim? It's just Linkin Park getting back to making dope music as usual. It'll be interesting to see how they collaborate with other artists like they said they're finally opening up to doing. But I picked this particular one because not only is this song amazing, it's even more amazing live.
This one is just another example of Kendrick's longevity. Not only the most recent rock + rap collaboration of awesomeness, but on top of that it is just well... nothing short of incredible. Combining the already sweet imagine dragons banger (which sort of had a hip hop feel to it to begin with), then you add in a crazy rock and roll vibe verse that Kendrick destroys via his voice alone (not to discredit Kendrick's verse itself, he does his thing as usual), the finished product is something that appeals to two completely different types of audiences. Bravo to both parties.
Kid Rock, Run DMC + Aerosmith - Bawitdaba/Kings Of Rock/Walk This Way
Okay so admittedly I had to throw this one in because I grew up listening to Kid Rock. Come on, who didn't love Joe C. spitting verses out opposite Kid Rock? They used this gigantic performance to open up the MTV Video Music Awards in 1999. Definitely the most unorthodox performance of the time, but it seemed to work pretty well. I love the microphone tossing back and forth between Rock and Tyler, I believe I remember hearing one of the two say they almost dropped one of the microphones so they had stopped throwing them after 3 tosses. The most interesting part to me about this performance is that you have one side of it (the rock: Aerosmith), the other side of it (the rap: Run DMC), and Kid Rock falling respectfully in between both genres (at least back then, now it seems old man Rock has sold himself out to country).
DJ Z-Trip ft. Chester Bennington - The Walking Dead
This one's not so well known, but back in 2005 a DJ by the name of Z-Trip collaborated with Linkin Park's own Chester Bennington on a song called "The Walking Dead." Yes...even before all the tv hoopla about some show that shares the same name, there was a song. I remember hearing this song myself when it first came out because I hadn't heard anything like it. What is it with Chester Bennington and Linkin Park being able to gel so well with hip hop and collaborating with rappers? I certainly wish we got more of that. In case you haven't heard of DJ Z-Trip, he's collaborated with big names like LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Talib Kweli and many more. Thinking about him now I might have to go and check out some more of his work myself.
So those are just a few of some really good rock and rap collaborations. Don't forget that rap did get its start from rock, and of course has flourished as its own genre ever since. So when you think about it, you really do have to pay homage to acts like Run DMC, the Beasty Boys, and guys like that who started it all. Can you even imagine how scary it would have been to hear the backlash and criticism from people who didn't know what it was back then? I know I can't. Rock has been popular forever, it may have changed over the past couple of decades, but bands are finding ways to make it sound better. Same thing goes for rap (arguably). It may have changed, but now its more global and getting more recognition than its ever gotten. But every now and then it is nice to get a feel for where it all started: an experiment of new sounds. Let me know your favorite rock and rap collaborations on Google+ or twitter (@SuperNovaRover).
(*Disclaimer: I do not own these videos, or the rights to them, or any of the artists shown in them*)
Arguably one of the best, unarguably one of the biggest to ever do it, today we celebrate the birthday of the one and only Notorious B.I.G. The ups and downs of such a life and career cannot begin to be documented in just one post. His momentous influence on hip hop still stands today and his lyricism and flow almost stand unmatched by anyone. Born and bred in the mecca of a very large portion of hip hop roots, Brooklyn, New York, from which has produced other gigantic names in hip hop such as Jay-Z, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and many more. But enough of all this hoopla, here are in no specific order my top 5 favorite tracks Big Poppa has blessed us with.
1. Unbelievable
Okay, so this song is simply great. Everything about it from the beat to B.I.G.'s flow, is just remarkable. His stylish, wordy vocabulary makes it almost seem as if he could keep one actual flow going the entire song.
2. Dead Wrong (ft. Eminem)
What isn't there to say about this song that you couldn't say about a serial killer? And who better to join Mr. Smalls than the always descriptive, "don't bring him around you mother" Eminem? A truly fantastic song by all means. The beat, lyrics, and flow all get an A+ in my book.
3. Microphone Murderer (Freestyle)
Okay, so this one might not count as an actual song to most, but as Biggie says, "spit yo game, talk yo shit." That might not have made sense, but nonetheless, I love this mix. What we have here is the actual basement freestyle from the man himself with the rapping over the instrumental from the movie "Notorious." I find in this particular freestyle that B.I.G's powerful voice shows very thoroughly here.
4. Notorious Thugs (ft. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)
This one has a quite different feel to it, but there is no reason it shouldn't make my list. Starting off with a chilling piano going into those vocals we all got to know and love from Bone Thugs, Big has no problem expanding his range and sound and it shows in this cut. What I love most about this song is its range. You can chill to it, party to it, or even get a nice pump up out of it if you need it.
5.Victory - Puff Daddy (ft. Notorious B.I.G & Busta Rhymes)
Even though this isn't necessarily a Biggie track, he surely claims this song like a proper emcee does. With more of his endless wordplay and rhythm, he destroys this track punch line after punch line. I personally love this beat, and Busta's constant energy throughout the hook just adds that much more. With Biggie delivering what are allegedly his last verses ever recorded, this video also stands as one of the most expensive music videos ever made, or at least at that time, with a production value of over $2.7 million.
Well that about sums it up in this edition of paying homage to "the real life Frank White." No, I don't even know who Frank White is or even if he's a real person or some sort of movie character. But we do know Notorious called himself this at times, at least multiple times in the last song. Anyways, thanks for reading, and feel free to let me know your favorites Biggie verses in the comment section below. We must keep the spirit alive. Brooklyn!
(**Disclaimer-- All the video links above were taken from Youtube. I do not own any of these videos, or the rights to them.**)
