The Rock 'n' Roller's Guide to Modern Hip-Hop: Issue 1
By DJ E.dduB of Bisonar Disorder - 5/16/2005
Most folk I know are rock 'n' roll people. They cross all kinds of rock genres, but their knowledge, wisdom, and likings all fall within the tonal range equation of strings x frets=ROCK. Nearly all of these rocker friends who were blessed enough to be born before the 80's still kindly recall Public Enemy, KRS-One, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Run-DMC, Gangstarr, and the Beastie Boys, among others. They liked these groups then, they like them now. But do they listen to any NEW hip-hop? Some will say yes, but most say no. Gangsta parties and indie rockers do not seem to mix.
There is however, modern hip-hop arising these days that rock and rollers can dig once again and bump through their amps without trading the guitars for gats. While the avowed "hardcore" rappers of hip-hop prefer to moniker such new artists as "Nerd Rap" to distinguish their sub-intellectualism from that of thinking minds setting thoughtful scripts to great beats, I say this "Nerd Rap" is simply hip-hop evolved. It is hip-hop music from people who love to make music without having to present an image to fit their words. These underground rapper's words fit themselves, they are who they are. And, as with rock 'n' roll, some of those who be who they be best are "nerds". Music nerds have been cool for decades.
Fuck the stereotype. Smart people can listen to hip-hop too. Give the wax a spin fo' yo'self. Guaranteed not to be what you expect when you hear "Hip-Hop".
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1. Mr. Lif [Definitive Jux] – Hmmm, what do we say about Mr.Lif? If Chuck D's great great grandmother had a sister separated by slavery, Chuck D's great great grandmother's sister's great great grandchild would be Mr. Lif. They's long lost cousins separated by the man. His voice isn't that of your typical rapper, but his flows quickly mesh his choice words to the beat to perfect the conception. Eloquent speech about how shitty life is at $6.00/hr, being another statistic to the government(hence the phrase, I Phantom), beating up your boss, and calling out Bush about the lack of WMD's. He even matches a rhyme with "Dr. Boskonavich"(of Tekken fame). DJ Fakts One backing him up. You must own Mr. Lif albums. There are four or five. My favorite is the "I Phantom" LP. – www.definitivejux.com
2. Illogic [Weightless] – Illogic, a product of Ohio, is more of a poet than most. I don't mean in that fucking sissy 'I love you, bitch' way, either. This is real MC skills spouting words arranged in the most ironically pleasing way possible. You'll finish listening to tracks still wondering how these words could be placed together so and still make sense. And they do. Illogic sticks to topics, constructing songs, not just haphazard verses. Blueprint produces most of the beats, and the end result is solid hip-hop. You'll be surprised that this is Ohio homegrown, and you didn't even know about it. My recommendation: the "Got Lyrics?" LP – www.weightless.net
Thumbs up from Matt Presutti (Makebelieves, The Snails)
3. Eyedea & Abilities [Rhymesayers Ent.] – By far the best live hip-hop show I've ever fucking seen. They rip out tracks absolutely live, and DJ Abilities works a guitar pedal with his turntable to scratch out a hendrix-worthy guitar solo. I'm dead serious. Eyedea spits a syllable pattern in flow, and Abilities matches the pattern in scratch. It's amazing. Go see them next time they're around. They have two releases, the first, "First Born", being introspective, with a concept of delving into the psyche through psychosis, the second, "E&A", demonstrating their MC and DJ skills in high glory. – www.rhymesayers.com
Recommended by Dirty Johnny.
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4. D-Styles [Audio Research] -- Phantasmagorea LP -- I guarantee you won't believe this album. Most of ya'll have heard merely one-fifth of what can actually be done with a turntable to create sounds, beats, and music. This is the epitomy of turntablism. This man takes samples of instruments and scratches them onto tracks, playing different instruments on tracks to create songs. Every sound you hear is layed in by hand from his decks. He scratches in vocal snippets and samples to create the lyrics and concepts. It is truly original, artistic, and melodical – not at all as noisy as you'd think it to be. If you don't believe that turntables aren't instruments, listen to this album. You'll wonder how the hell this could ever happen. – www.djdstyles.com
5. Jean Grae [Babygrande Records] – A woman who is smart enough to play the game her way. Drops flows in a unique, original style that reflects the modern evolution of beat poetics. She sings her own hooks with a stellar voice. Jean don't take no shit. She'll force respect outta the most pimpin-wannabe masochist motherfucker. Go all teacher on 'em, makin 'em call her ma'am and shit. My favorite to date: "Attack of the Attacking Things" LP. Formerly known as WhatWhat?. – www.babygrande.com
That's the short list for now. I'll send up some more for ya'll later, if I hear any of this rattling windows down Court Street. Remember, Rock and Rap: As long as they're separated, both are good to listen to, so long as you know where to look.
