Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta

Courtesy of Stretch Nav the god:


The reason why Preemo is one of the best producers ever is the fact that he has been able to keep his style fresh. As long as hiphop exists, his music is relevant. He embodies what hip-hop stands for, even if it is very difficult to describe how this is possible. His music makes you nod your head as you sing along to his scratch-laden choruses. Like all the big names (Dre, Timbaland, Neptunes) you can spot a Preemo song because he has his own, signature sound. In the new millenium, he stepped up a gear, more of the same in quality terms while not being afraid to experiment, whether it be with the artists he collaborates with or the sounds he creates. Check these five out:


Gangstarr: The Natural




Big 12" only release (B-side to Skillz) from late 2002. This really should have been on the duo's "The Ownerz" album, but was mysteriously left off. The Source used the word "Hitchcock" to describe this one. Elevating the style of beats.


Snoop Dogg F/ Lady Of Rage: Batman & Robin


It was either this or "The One And Only". Both are lifted off Snoop's 2002 "Paid Tha Cost..." album, but I chose this because of Premo chopping up the old Batman TV theme tune to great effect (check the horns)...and because Snoop namedrops Marvel comics and the fact that Snoop and Rage assume the roles of a pimped-out Batman & Robin respectively (w/ a cameo by RBX as Commissioner Gordon). East meets West with the "Batmobile on threes"


The NYGz: Giantz Ta This


Release from 2002/2003 on Premier's Year Round label. Basically starts with a disgruntled Preemo complaining how "A lot of y'all muthafuckas lost your ear to the street", then proclaiming "so as usual, I'm back" and how he's "gutter as ever"... and then he gives us another example of how to chop up an over-used sample ("7 minutes of Funk" used previously by Jay-Z & EPMD) and make it sound fresh again for some hard NY rhymes from Panchi & Shabeeno. We wouldn't have it any other way Preemo.



Freddie Foxxx: Lazy




I heard this off a Premier mix CD from 2003. Great tune, I can't really say much more than that. Oh and that Foxxx is as hard as nails.



Agallah: NY Ryder Music


Next time I'm in NY, I'm riding to this. From 2006, the artist formerly known as "8-Off" gets an understated banger from Premo. "Its that NY Ryder Music!"

Just an appetiser:


Departure





Not A Disturbance

Three 6 Mafia ft UGK - On Some Chrome

Nah, not really:






Lady of Rage ft Snoop & Dre - Afropuffs Rmx

An extended chronic-fuelled remix with an awesome freestyle from Snoop.


Foxy Brown - Fame

Definitely one of the better songs I've heard so far in '08 and off the back of this and a coupla other leaked tracks, I'd look forward to hearing her next album...if it ever drops.


G-Unit - I'm Leavin'

Curtis fell off so bad last year I feel the same kind of sympathy for him I felt for Ja circa 2004/05, so I'm happy he's got back on the bike. It's formulaic and unoriginal, but they do the mixtape posse cuts so well.


N.E.R.D. - Everybody Nose

A sequel of sorts to She Wants To Move, this bodes well for the upcoming N.3.R.D. album. The Pharrell solo album was slightly underwhelming, but as a group these guys are 2 and 0, so I'm very much looking forward to their 3rd release.


Torae - Callin' Me



Nicely looped vocal sample, sweeping strings and some heavy drums. Nuff said. Oh, and the rhymes are pretty sick, too.


Swizz Beatz ft Drag-On (remember him?) - Hard Knocks



Not too many jewels dropped here, but it's hard not to nod your head to this. Ghostface fans might find the sample sounds a little familiar..


Ghostface ft Meth & Chef Rae - Yolanda's House



..and speaking of Ghostface, I should've posted this a month ago, as it was my favourite song of '07. Perfect in every way and I can't remember the last verse I blessed with as many rewinds as Meth's contribution here. Witty Unpredictable genius.

More knowledge from the god Nav:

The Kool Genius of Rap. Says it all really. Certified OG in this hiphop game, the hustlers know this. Klashnekoff knows this (check his latest LP as he, Kyza Smirnoff and G Rap get busy over a Joe Buhdha banger). RA the Rugged Man knows this. Shit, even my Cuz knows this and he doesn't listen to any hiphop that is after 1993 (taking hiphop snobbery to new levels)! He influenced many of the 90s spitters; Big Pun got on his knees when he finally met him! If you haven't heard of him, then you need to know asap....and in terms of content, G Rap is the opposite of Talib Kweli. Take that however you want. Reppin' Corona, Queens, you can feel the realness through his trademark lispy raps. This is thug rap done well and where you truly believe the artist lives the lyrics. Below are five tracks from different times in his 20+ year career. An awesome, raw talent who made his mark on hiphop music. Salute!


Big Daddy Kane feat. Kool G Rap: Raw (Kool G Rap Remix)



Rare remix of Kane's '88 classic. Juice Crew flava. Early potential is evident. You could even go as far as saying that G Rap outperforms Kane. There is a story that G Rap rhymed for so long for this recording that the reel had stopped half-way. BTW Juice Crew film is being made, "Vapors" with Cuba Gooding Jnr as Marley Marl. I can't wait.


Kool G Rap and DJ Polo: Bad To The Bone



This is a personal favourite and for those living the fast life. Balling without any Puffy ethos. Has a ruthless playboy feel to it. G Rap steps up a gear for a career high performance off the classic Wanted Dead Or Alive LP. Large Professor contributed a lot to this LP but didn't get the recognition he deserved because Eric B insisted on taking credit for the production on the album. "profile's kept low/more dough than Barry Manilow" Brilliant....he name-dropped Barry Manilow! Now that's gangsta.


Kool G Rap & DJ Polo: Death Wish



1990's Wanted Dead or Alive was G Rap's second album and the maturity of the artist is on display. He grew as an artist by the time of this release and Death Wish highlights a nastier, harder, more gangster side to the former Juice Crew member that had now emerged. Another big performance.
"run for your life when I'm starting/suckers are getting turned into missing muthafuckas on a milk carton". Hard.


Kool G Rap Freestyle on Sway and Tech's Wake Up Show



If there was one performance that epitomises Kool G Rap, it would have to be this rare freestyle from the Wake Up Show archives. Circa '99, he messes up, recovers and still kills it....and Tony Touch has the unfortunate job of rhyming after him. How is Toca going to top that?


Kool G Rap feat. G Wise: My Life



From 2001, I played this a lot when it was released. A good combination of being radio-friendly while still remaining hard. Produced by the Mighty VIC (Beatnuts, Big Pun), this has a chorus you would sing when you are drunk...but I haven't tried it yet. CNN did a remix of this with G for Soundbombing 3 and this track was one of the singles for G Rap's planned Rawkus release. Vocoders are gangsta.