Rap Talk

The recent notice of Def Jux ostensibly cutting off operations is worth a mention when discussing the latest RJD2 album, The Colossus, for a few reasons.

The last fully rap focused disc that this former Columbus – he now calls Philly home – deejay and producer issued was the 2004 Since We Last Spoke. It was released on the aforementioned Def Jux imprint. In the time since then, RJD2 has gone on to work in as much pop related fair as anything else. His last album notwithstanding, the contributions that the producer has made to television in the form of Mad Men’s theme song and a variety of other commercial projects might not have sounded the death nell for RJ’s credentials, but points to the embrace of underground rap stuffs by above ground culture. Read more

Here’s another go-round of twofers. And it seems that Nightmares on Wax and Neutrino are aptly paired. There needs to be an understanding of hip hop, as a genre, that’s all inclusive. No, there’s really not a difference between hip hop and rap. But while that discussion pointlessly rages, producers that seek to incorporate traditionally boom bap oriented fair into their work need to be considered welcome under an all inclusive musical banner. If that doesn’t eventually happen, the stultifying affects will be felt on the genre. Really, how many gold toofed emcees are needed? Not that many. And while supa-producers are nice, their presence doesn’t readily allow for the music to move ahead. So without further ado…

Nightmares on Wax
In a Space Outta Sound
(Warp, 2005)
Instrumental electronic and hip-hop albums are always a tenuous outing. Whether or not one enjoys the disc as a whole, there are inevitably a few moments that are less than pleasing. I suppose, though, that this notion is applicable to any album of any genre, but specifically a useful thought in the case of Nightmares on Wax (aka George Evelyn). In the mid-nineties NOW was hailed as the leader of digital-related instrumental albums, much like the one before us currently - In a Space Outta Sound. Unlike previous releases by NOW, the first two thirds of this offering eschew the more electronic sounds that Warp Records is known for and simply goes for seemingly organic grooves. Of course this is all production trickery. Jamaican influecenes infect a number of cuts here, which is always a nice coupling with the genre. There are a few moments of soul and ambient music getting the best of the producer, but overall this is an a more than satisfying release from a name that is and should be synonymous with instrumental music. Read more

If the Beatles’ John Lennon hadn’t claimed at some point that his group was as big as Jesus, one of the Wu Tang affiliated emcees and producers probably would have done so for his own ensemble. The imagined quip would have had decades between it and its progenitor and should have functioned to enliven fans of different socio-economic backgrounds and musical interests.

The band’s, though, aren’t that different – well apart from the music. Read more

At some point folks figured out that exploiting musicians or what they create was as good a business decision as any other. Of course, nurturing a nascent group was also a possibility, but that green, green, greed seems to blind pretty much everyone - and especially those that we all think of as successful in the music industry. As unfortunate as that is, that’s all the basis for the group 8^th Day and its creation. Read more

In the history of hip hop, there are those folks that comprised an important part very early on in the development of the art form as well as helping to create the lore that surrounded it all. A good many of those folks have since vanished – or at least not maintained a high level of visibility over time.

MC Shan has remained relatively active in music since his few mid eighties releases. But while he’s continued to work in music in a variety of capacities – including producing some of Snow’s 12 Inches of… - the legacy that he amassed early on in the development of the genre easily trumps anything that he’s done of late. Read more

Despite the fact that I was rockin' Fred Perry polo's a decade ago, this track remains fresh even as it's off an album from last summer...

There aren't too many stronger duos in the rap game...

Here's the first of a mini-run on Mos Def related ephemera that I've been saving...

Detroit seems largely like a city that survives on a day to day basis, bolstered mostly by its past glories. There’s the proto-punk thing that included the likes of the MC5 and the Stooges as well as the entire Motown stable. Of course, the whole car industry being in shambles should only result in Detroit denizens fondly recalling the past.

But more recent developments in hip hop have made the city a wealth of talent. No, Eminem has nothing to do with this. But the Slum Village axis of musicians as well as the Binary Star dudes have, within the last decade and change, again made Detroit the focus of some attention. Read more

Ricky Walters Emcee Ricky D Slick Rick the Ruler has lived in the States since roughly the age of 11. His parents, who were both born in Jamaica, moved to England for work and had their son in 1965. During the middle of the following decade moved the whole family to New Yawk. Read more