Before the hubris and constant beefing started to get on everybody's nerves, before he had a bunch of megahits he couldn't possibly live up to, before he started acting like a weirdo, Curtis was the business. The aggression, the flow, the backstory, Em and Dre's backing, even the Makavelian post-diss-track monologues; he was the most exciting new gangsta rap artist in years. Artistically, he's lost some momentum in recent times, but his importance in developing the mixtape scene is undeniable. Here are a few songs from his 24 Shots mixtape, which got a lot of burn from me in '03:
Originally on his unreleased Columbia debut Power of the Dollar, this is a lot more lyrical than his usual fare, reminiscent of Jay-Z's Friend or Foe. Also notable is his delivery, sounds like he'd been listening to loads of DMX.
The beat and the hook really do the trick on this one and the punchlines aren't bad either.
Great party and bullshit joint.
Makes my non-cap-popping ass feel like a gangsta.
This sounds more like a Big L or Nas track than 50 Cent . A proper underground NY track with a beat in the tradition of Primo and Pete Rock, with great chopped Jadakiss and Jay-Z samples on the chorus.
"Hate a liar more than I hate a thief.
A thief is only after my salary, a liar is after my reality." - Fif'
Originally on his unreleased Columbia debut Power of the Dollar, this is a lot more lyrical than his usual fare, reminiscent of Jay-Z's Friend or Foe. Also notable is his delivery, sounds like he'd been listening to loads of DMX.
The beat and the hook really do the trick on this one and the punchlines aren't bad either.
Great party and bullshit joint.
Makes my non-cap-popping ass feel like a gangsta.
This sounds more like a Big L or Nas track than 50 Cent . A proper underground NY track with a beat in the tradition of Primo and Pete Rock, with great chopped Jadakiss and Jay-Z samples on the chorus.
"Hate a liar more than I hate a thief.
A thief is only after my salary, a liar is after my reality." - Fif'
American Gangster is AWESOME! So much so that my bootlegging ass is actually gonna pay for it when it drops officially. Common, Wu-Tang, Jay-Z (and hopefully Nas)...the veterans are really doing it in '07...
...to the extent Puffy's Hitmen, No I.D. and (on this track) Jermaine Dupri have dusted off their samplers and helped Hov really bring back the soul on this album. Only given it a couple of listens, but his flow and delivery and the production are on point on every song and the lyrics sound like they are going to merit numerous listens. There's no better feeling than the shock of a smack to the head from an unexpectedly dope album.
...to the extent Puffy's Hitmen, No I.D. and (on this track) Jermaine Dupri have dusted off their samplers and helped Hov really bring back the soul on this album. Only given it a couple of listens, but his flow and delivery and the production are on point on every song and the lyrics sound like they are going to merit numerous listens. There's no better feeling than the shock of a smack to the head from an unexpectedly dope album.
Is the title of this track a Freudian slip? a defiant gesture? a mere coincidence? Whatever the case, it's arguably the best piece of unintended homo-erotic hip-hop humour in dog's years (at least since the last DMX album - pun intended).
...The song's not bad either.
...The song's not bad either.
...with the greatest backing band ever assembled:
New Wu Tang: "Take it Back" (prod. by RZA and Easy Mo Bee)
0 comments Posted by Randy Watson as Bob Digitech at 12:17
"Bring back the life that you thought was lifeless" - U-God
Three leaked tracks deep I'm ready to award The 8 Diagram classic status. This beat's on some Daytona 500 business and the verses are so effortlessly good it's incredible.
"Dope beats, dope rhymes, this hip-hop ain't that hard!" - Phonte
Plus, a properly mixed version of The Heart Gently Weeps that sounds even better than the original leak:
Three leaked tracks deep I'm ready to award The 8 Diagram classic status. This beat's on some Daytona 500 business and the verses are so effortlessly good it's incredible.
"Dope beats, dope rhymes, this hip-hop ain't that hard!" - Phonte
Plus, a properly mixed version of The Heart Gently Weeps that sounds even better than the original leak:
"[3] degrees of separation and I'm Kevin Bacon" - Hov
1 comments Posted by Randy Watson as Bob Digitech at 11:40Common: "I Want You" Video
Great video; really cinematic, without the stupid "majestic" slow-mo shots and jewellery close ups that are (pun alert) far too common in videos this swanky. The hotness of the female cast (and the song) don't harm the visuals either.
As a sidenote, I wish Will.I.Am (who collaborated on the track with Comm) used his considerable powers of production for good rather than evil more often. I'm about halfway through listening to his new solo album and it definitely has a few gems. This one stands out for me:
Very disco, kind of reminiscent of Daft Punk or Jamiroquai, but still his own sound. Maybe influenced by Timbaland and Kanye's recent leanings towards eurodance.
[edit: this track is even better:
Serious conga-line rump-shaking music. Pharrell's been influenced by the Miami Bass sound and M.I.A.'s notably borrowed from Baile Funk, hope this sort of experimentation becomes more popular.]
Speaking of Daft Punk (in yet another spontaneous segue), must big them up for a song with that rarest of qualities: making me simultaneously want to do cardboard spins while rocking out with an Eddie Van Halen guitar solo:
It's a couple of years old, but I've only just got my hands on it and as a bonus it benefits from one of their seemingly endless line of dope music video concepts:
Great video; really cinematic, without the stupid "majestic" slow-mo shots and jewellery close ups that are (pun alert) far too common in videos this swanky. The hotness of the female cast (and the song) don't harm the visuals either.
As a sidenote, I wish Will.I.Am (who collaborated on the track with Comm) used his considerable powers of production for good rather than evil more often. I'm about halfway through listening to his new solo album and it definitely has a few gems. This one stands out for me:
Very disco, kind of reminiscent of Daft Punk or Jamiroquai, but still his own sound. Maybe influenced by Timbaland and Kanye's recent leanings towards eurodance.
[edit: this track is even better:
Serious conga-line rump-shaking music. Pharrell's been influenced by the Miami Bass sound and M.I.A.'s notably borrowed from Baile Funk, hope this sort of experimentation becomes more popular.]
Speaking of Daft Punk (in yet another spontaneous segue), must big them up for a song with that rarest of qualities: making me simultaneously want to do cardboard spins while rocking out with an Eddie Van Halen guitar solo:
It's a couple of years old, but I've only just got my hands on it and as a bonus it benefits from one of their seemingly endless line of dope music video concepts:
"L'chaim!"
Great that Kanye resurrected Babyface for this, would probably prefer it minus Weezy (his rhymes aren't bad, but don't add too much to a great beat and hook).
Perfect combo of futiristic beat with old skool, "hip-hop-and-you-don't-stop" rhyme style.
Goes to show Jay-Z vocal samples aren't played out and still make for a great hook.
Kanye's drum pattern's pretty out there and the Feist sample is awesome.
Great that Kanye resurrected Babyface for this, would probably prefer it minus Weezy (his rhymes aren't bad, but don't add too much to a great beat and hook).
Perfect combo of futiristic beat with old skool, "hip-hop-and-you-don't-stop" rhyme style.
Goes to show Jay-Z vocal samples aren't played out and still make for a great hook.
Kanye's drum pattern's pretty out there and the Feist sample is awesome.
Proof lies in this here pudding that Pharrell needs to kiss and make up with Chad Hugo. Production sounds like In Search Of/Clones-era Neptunes (in a good way).
...Though, to be fair, Pharrell deserves props for making Madonna sound this good. Guilty pleasure is an understatement.
I've heard several interpretations of this song and this is by far my favourite one. Funkiest bassline this side of the JBs.
I've never been a big Radiohead fan, but In Rainbows and it's ingenious distribution have really grabbed my attention. Intend to give OK Computer a listen (you know I stay way ahead of the times!)
This is gorgeous...Prince in his pomp being channelled (covered) by his royal funkiness George Clinton. C'est magnifique.
...Though, to be fair, Pharrell deserves props for making Madonna sound this good. Guilty pleasure is an understatement.
I've heard several interpretations of this song and this is by far my favourite one. Funkiest bassline this side of the JBs.
I've never been a big Radiohead fan, but In Rainbows and it's ingenious distribution have really grabbed my attention. Intend to give OK Computer a listen (you know I stay way ahead of the times!)
This is gorgeous...Prince in his pomp being channelled (covered) by his royal funkiness George Clinton. C'est magnifique.
I've mostly been listening to movie soundtracks this week. Mostly. Thought I'd up a selection of excellent songs that contribute to excellent scenes in great movies. Not so much hip-hop, but super fresh nonetheless:
Wes Anderson soundtracks are always a good listen and this one's no exception.
Because work sucks and I'm sure it does feel good to be a gangsta.
Incredible emotional depth in JB's performance. A palpable sense of loss; some real grown-man-cry music.
This plays at the climax of the movie, with the protagonist facing a life or death decision (true story) and works incredibly well in the scene. The guitar is immense.
This plays as Kurt Russell's lucky ass receives what must be the single greatest lap dance ever committed to film...gives me goosebumps, people. Goosebumps! Tarantino's a genius and the movie's worth watching simply on the basis of this brilliant three and a half minute sequence.
Wes Anderson soundtracks are always a good listen and this one's no exception.
Because work sucks and I'm sure it does feel good to be a gangsta.
Incredible emotional depth in JB's performance. A palpable sense of loss; some real grown-man-cry music.
This plays at the climax of the movie, with the protagonist facing a life or death decision (true story) and works incredibly well in the scene. The guitar is immense.
This plays as Kurt Russell's lucky ass receives what must be the single greatest lap dance ever committed to film...gives me goosebumps, people. Goosebumps! Tarantino's a genius and the movie's worth watching simply on the basis of this brilliant three and a half minute sequence.
Genius at work (word to GZA).
"..Ason, I keep planets in orbit!.."
8 Diagram's shaping up to be a classic...
Last couple of weeks were boring, hip-hop-wise, but glad to say a few new (at least to me) tracks have popped up this week, right on time for the 4th quarter album rush. A few I'm feeling at the moment:
Don't think this is a new song, as the American Gangster album version's supposed to feature Beanie Sigel. Good track regardless.
The drums on this track kill me, so much so that I'm even willing to forgive Verbal's wack flow and dodgy Transformers simile (anyway, he shouts out Tokyo, so if he's Japanese and rapping in his second language I can't really hate).
I know mashups got boring a couple of years ago, but Bullion's Pet Sounds in the Key of Dee Dilla/Beach Boys album is quality. Can't get this track in particular out of my head.
More Dilla-influenced music as Spinna and a very Dwele-esque Phonte smooth it out, with Phonte crooning a collection of classic Jay Dee hooks. A great tribute, worth sticking on The Get Back, maybe as a bonus track.
I've heard a couple of Jay's tracks on Just Blaze's blog and been impressed. Ditto with this track over (surprise surprise) J Dilla's spacey sonics. Very reminiscent of MF Doom; shame he and Dilla never collaborated on an album/EP.
Don't think this is a new song, as the American Gangster album version's supposed to feature Beanie Sigel. Good track regardless.
The drums on this track kill me, so much so that I'm even willing to forgive Verbal's wack flow and dodgy Transformers simile (anyway, he shouts out Tokyo, so if he's Japanese and rapping in his second language I can't really hate).
I know mashups got boring a couple of years ago, but Bullion's Pet Sounds in the Key of Dee Dilla/Beach Boys album is quality. Can't get this track in particular out of my head.
More Dilla-influenced music as Spinna and a very Dwele-esque Phonte smooth it out, with Phonte crooning a collection of classic Jay Dee hooks. A great tribute, worth sticking on The Get Back, maybe as a bonus track.
I've heard a couple of Jay's tracks on Just Blaze's blog and been impressed. Ditto with this track over (surprise surprise) J Dilla's spacey sonics. Very reminiscent of MF Doom; shame he and Dilla never collaborated on an album/EP.
Due to various reasons, not least my lack of a desire to ever be the designated driver, I am yet to get a driver's license and travel mostly on foot or by bus, more often than not with my trusty backpack in tow, and the experience is most pleasurable when the sun shines on my shoulders and heavy boom-bap drums reverberate in my head. As such, I thought it a good idea to post a few favourites...all pretty obvious choices, but all headphone classic theme songs for the discerning hip-hop listener:Pete Rock and CL Smooth - "Troy"
Tupac - "Old School"
A Tribe Called Quest - "Electric Relaxation"
Mos Def and DJ Honda - "Travelling Man"
Common - "I Used To Love H.E.R."
Chubb Rock, OC and Jeru - "Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers"
Big L - "Put It On"
"What they eat don't make us shiiiiit!! Real talk!" - R.Kelly...genius:)
It's always good to have a plan B. As of late for me, it's been '80s-electro-retro-throwback/indie music (I like to be genre-specific) :
The New Young Pony Club have restored my faith in young folks (as opposed to 30-something rappers) to drop good albums I don't need to skip through. Great basslines, synths and vocals, with the bonus of loads of bright colours and a hot chick on lead vocals making for more than tolerable music video viewing.
Started listening to CSS (Cansei de Ser Sexy) ["I'm tired of being sexy." - Beyonce Knowles] about a year ago because they're Brazilian, again they have bright colours and a hot chick on vocals as a bonus for the music videos and as a megabonus their bassist has an awesome 'tache...I then also discovered, in passing, that their music was pretty awesome too.
He's unfortunately not a hot-chick-on-lead-vocals, but Calvin Harris does also boasts bright colours in his music videos and has a great album title to boot: "I Created Disco". Dude and his synthesizer are pretty much attached at the hip - in a good way - so the album's very '80s. A lot of the beats are reminiscent of the Neptunes, Timbaland and Daft Punk to me; great to bounce around to.
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