"As the release of OutKast's third installment, Aquemini, drew near, fans of the Dirty South were getting a bit antsy, and understandably so. After the funk of their 1994 debut, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, was followed up with the more subdued, experimental ATLiens in '96, many devotees were left confused as they threw their hands in the ay-er. What would the older, wealthier OutKast do next? Don't stress. Atlanta's finest come correct with Aquemini, a tight third album featuring an eclectic mix of tracks a la their sophomore effort - but with just enough elements of their classic debut to remind you how they got where they are. The backing track used on "Slump" could have come off the first album - rich with bass and easy on the strings and keys. But Dre and Big Boi aren't taking the criticism of their second album lying down: naysayers are addressed in "Return of the G," which features an ominous blend of instrumentals and boom bap."
"Rosa Parks" has a similar tone, as Dre rhymes about buying a new tape from his favorite rapper and hoping that it's jamming. Teamed once again with the Organized Noize production team, Outkast stirs a mix of horns, guitars and percussion on Aquemini that is no less than brilliant on songs like "SpottieOttie-Dopalicious" (a spoken word piece) and "Chonkyfire." And if anyone is still sleeping on these cats' rhyming skills, each of them put all doubts to rest with a ridiculous flow. To top it off, guest appearances from Raekwon on "Skew It On The Bar-B" and Goodie Mob's Cee-Lo and Dre's lady Erykah Badu on "Liberation" gives the album a broader view, but it still remains OutKast's show. Much of Aquemini takes on the serious tone of Hotlanta cohorts Goodie Mob lyrically and musically, yet it's festive enough for folks to appreciate when they just want to marinate." Cont'd below...
Interestingly, while "Rosa Parks" was the first single to Aquemini, it was not released without issue. In March (2000), Vibe released an article, titled: "Rosa Parks sues Outkast and loses." Rosa Parks sued OutKast, their label, parent company and distributor in federal court, "claiming the duo had no right to use "Rosa Parks" as the title of their 1998 party anthem. As punishment, she sought $25,000 and the removal of her name from all OutKast releases," which would have cost at least 6 figures. The federal judge "determined that artistic works that use the names of public figures in their titles are protected from publicity claims under the First Amendment. In other words, OutKast could use Park's name." Vibe ads, "She apparently learned of the song's existence from her minister and soon discovered that "Rosa Parks" contained profanity and the chorus "Ah hah, hush that fuss, everybody move to the back of the bus," which she understood to be an insult" ... In a statement, Dre and Big Boi said, "We are pleased that our freedom of speech wasn't compromised but are still saddened that Ms. Park's lawyers felt the need to take this to court.... We respect Ms. Parks and all that she has done for our people and this country." - Vibe, March 2000.
"Mos Def and Talib Kweli have made a record to deliver listeners from the tyranny of the Native Tongues posse's new generation. Def and Kweli follow a grassroots approach to lyrical execution here, incorporating a radiant burst of Afro-centric positivity that floats around tight, bouncy rhymes that jab like Muhammad Ali in his prime. Even though Black Star generously borrow hooks from the hip-hop heroes they grew up on like BDP and Slick Rick, these shoplifting tactics are more faithful odes rather than get-money reconstructions, shaped from the imagination of a couple of kids who've been eating, drinking and smoking hip-hop their whole lives. This is an hour-long manifesto made for the sheer love of the craft, a record that will make you realize why the hell you dropped eight bucks on your first rap tape back in the day." (CMJ New Music Report, 11/98). Reflecting back on the album, CMJ added months later, "Mos Def and Talib Kweli truly are the best alliance in hip-hop," with Mos's stylized grainy delivery as yang to the smart, spoken words of Kweli's yin. With a sense of self-determination, the hands of DJ Hi-Tek and the dope single, "Definition," Black Star mapped out hip-hop's future against the template of its past." (CMJ New Music Report, 1/99). With bars like, "At exactly which point do you start to realize / That (life without knowledge is death in disguise?) That's why, knowledge of self is like life after death / Apply it, to your life, let destiny manifest..." Mos Def & Talib Kweli delivered a timeless classic. Check out "Definition" below.
DJ Semtex is a pioneering DJ from the UK. This mix tape from 1996 was just called "5," but boasts the old with then-new hip-hop. A nice mix of underground gems and real slept-on records from artists like Shabazz the Disciple, Pitch Black, Redman, Smoked Out Productions, D&D AllStars, Big Noyd, Channel Live, Busta Rhymes, Group Home, Puppets of Chaos, Large Pro, Fugees, Jamal, Trigga The Gambler, Lord Finesse, Greg Nice, Ghostface Killah, The Dogg Pound and more. Listen below...
Eternia returns with her signature style of lyrical transparency on "For This Life". Featured on Hand'Solo Records 20th Anniversary compilation "Bassments of Badmen Vol. 3", the new single is a marked departure from Eternia's dark and dusty sonic trademark. Reuniting with "Foul Child" producer A. Beck (aka Mr. Cincinnati), Eternia shares her spiritual journey over rich, rolling production and enlists fellow-Canadian Phoenix Pagliacci to bless yet another Eternia offering with a victorious chorus, reminiscent of Lauryn Hill in the 90s. We've been sitting on this one for a while, I am very glad it found a home and it represents lovely! I believe we originally recorded this in the Fat Beats studio (Brooklyn warehouse). Anyhow, please listen below... and hit the archives for more.
I couldn't wait for this mix to be released! Yet again, the homie Chris Read blesses us with a 25th Anniversary Mix - this time, in celebration of A Tribe Called Quest's sophomore album, "The Low End Theory." There are so many layers of memories attached to this project, it's hard to unpack in words. Fortunately, for fans of good music, you already know that unspeakable feeling. In short, it's nostalgia ... dig into this mix of classic album cuts, alternate mixes and original samples below!
'Cause if my hands is up or down - chances are they won't shoot
But if I was a couple shades darker, In a parka
And was reaching for a starburst
They would leave me with my dome loose
So do the fittest really survive?"
Marlon Craft is a young spitter out of Hell's Kitchen, NY. He's built his buzz off straight lyricism and wordplay, fans catching on through viral videos on FaceBook. With a few independent projects up on Bandcamp now, you can dig into his raw back catalog, but it won't be long before distributors step up and so do the co-signs. I've been around long enough to know which producers it'll be, and I'm not mad at it ... In this New York scene, it's hard to go wrong when it comes to boombap to complement a wordsmith of his caliber. "It's M.Craft from hell's kitchen homie, get to know me / See I was born to do this shit check my initials homie..." More to follow soon, trust me... keep it locked.
On this day 5 years ago, Will Sessions released "Real Sessions," a free 11-track project that featured Guilty Simpson, Phat Kat, and Black Milk; it was recorded between 2009-2010 and released in 2011. The press release for the project said, "Before reinterpreting the music for a pretty well known classic hip hop album from NY, Will Sessions produced a series of wildly successful live shows for Guilty Simpson, Phat Kat, and Black Milk in their hometown of Detroit in 2009 and 2010. The band had performed dozens of times in previous years within multiple genres–namely funk, jazz, and afrobeat–but had never tackled hip hop until these shows. Real Sessions revisits those performances with 10 selected live recordings showcasing their full 8-piece band recrafting beats from Madlib, J Dilla, Black Milk, Mr. Porter, and Nick Speed; with DJ Dez providing his trademark cuts and scratches. Recorded to multi-track, fully mixed and mastered. Includes an 18-page booklet." It's still dope so I thought I'd (re)share it ... stream it or download for free below.
