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Top 10 Hiphop thoughts of the day · by Sach O
Paul Shaffer ain’t got nothing on me.
Seeing as we’ve recently discussed Cinema, delicious Italian food and an alt-rock band on the comeback trail, I figured I’d talk rappity rap.
1. Oh No’s Exodus into Unknown Rhythms is good. Really good. I’ve developed an affinity for Stones Throw’s producer first and then throw some indie rapper on it mentality, but by any standards, this is one of their nicer albums, up there with Quas and Madvillainy. The idea of using a very narrow selection of sample sources for a project (in this case the work of Galt MacDermot) went out of style when George Clinton’s publishing found out about it, but it’s a valid strategy that tends to give albums a cohesive feel. Throw in the fact that legends like Buckshot, Posdnous and AG deliver quality performances and the soul/R&B tracks are genuinely dope (checkout the crazy-dope video for T. Biggums) and you’ve got one hell of an album. Definitely recommended.
2. I am not feeling that abortion of a Timberlake single and dread having to hear it out of every other white girl’s cell phone. I really hope the media has the balls to call out Sexyback for what it is: Nsync dance-pop with a distortion filter over the vocals. Just because it was produced by a large black man from Virginia instead of some creepy Swede doesn’t make it any less ghey. Too bad the Neptunes hate Jive, at least they managed to make the kid sound like a bootleg MJ last time around, but now that Scott Storch is a bazillionaire and no longer interested in helping Timbo, the bodybuilder went and got some random lackey to program a beat and it sounds like a bad one night stand between Duran Duran and protools. Sucka music.
3. On the subject of the Neptunes, does anyone care about Pharell’s solo album? I actually think the man can rap but he just can’t catch a break marketing wise. Getting the other famous rap producer turned rapper on your single is a bad look too Skateboard, it makes you look like a b-teamer. My advice? Nix the wack R&B tracks, record some more rapping and drop the backpack album you’ve always wanted to. It still won’t sell but at least I won’t have to download-delete your singing.
4. What’s up with Cormega? (Did you see him? Are y’all together?) In 2001 he released the best album out of Queensbridge since Mobb Deep were getting carded at the club and then he kept it moving with a softer-yet-sophisticated sequel but since then it’s been nothing but side projects and re-releases. He’s been talking about releasing Urban Legend for so long that T.I stole that title AND put out another one and now he’s supposedly releasing an album with Lake as a set up to his long promised classic. Maybe they can rap about being in jail while Nasir blows up. Regardless, I wouldn’t hold my breath for it considering it’s due out on Death Row East.
5. They cut BET uncut. I’d rather watch actual porn than bootyshake videos so it’s no big loss as far as I’m concerned, but I can see this seriously affecting the national potential for annoying strip-rap fads. Actually this is one of the rare times I agree with feminists: this is a good thing (no Martha).
6. I haven’t even bothered to listen to the new Busta Rhymes, Cam’ron or Rhymefest albums this year, much less any of those indie rap albums that leaked down the pike. I don’t know if this makes me less qualified to make a mid-year best of list or more so. Call me when Raekwon and the Clipse drop their cocaine classics. Don’t even bother me when Jeezy and Rick Ross drop theirs.
7. The Roots actually made a hot song which is something I didn’t think was possible ever since ?uestlove produced the triple dose of wackness that was Phrenology, The Tipping Point and Electric Circus (the latter which I hold him personally responsible for along with Erykah Badu). Long Time Coming is a really good song though coming through with Tears for Fears style 80’s guitar, rough drums and an excellent Peedy Crack guest spot. Hopefully this does for Peedy what the Roots cosign did for Beanie Sigel, Eve and Scott Storch because that guy has one hell of a flow and he never got a chance to drop the State-prop classic I expected from him.
8. Apathy’s Eastern Philosophy continues to be my favorite album released this year that no one’s heard. There are some unnecessary guest spots/indie battle tracks but other than that it really catches that mid 90’s vibe that the bring New York back crowd are scared to go for. There was talk about his fake-thug persona being a pretty big leap from his original alien tongue steez but I don’t care for two reasons. First he mainly describes crime instead of claiming he commits it and second, I never believe any of these rappers when they talk about being tough anyways.
9. The T.I album could have been a contender had he cut out 5-10 tracks worth of filler. I have to grudgingly agree with Noz though: What you know is the rap song of the year. Who’d have thought that synth-pop would beget trap-pop? Seriously though, between that song, the 2 Just Blaze bangers and Get it T.I is an excellent advocate for single track downloading, even if it sounds like a clusterfuck when put together with a bunch of snoozers.
10. I think the nerds are turning on Saigon already which is pretty sad all things considered. I like Ass-Whoop and Don’t Do That but supposedly dude has dumbed it down and isn’t releasing classic shit. Luckily the last time I heard those complaints, they were being directed at Kanye West and that guy did alright for himself.
And I’m ghost like Swayze.
Comments for "Top 10 Hiphop thoughts of the day"
Apathy? Recommend a good Saiigon mixtape. Clipse are being fingered with four fingers (no cam) maybe they still heavy in the game. I think swayze story was fake, I hope it’s real.
— 911 Jul 12, 04:51 AM
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— kuper Sep 17, 10:44 PM