Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Friday, October 08, 2010
The Art of the Remix
Hip Hop was raised with the re-mixing of records. Taking a song and changing the tempo or other aspects of the song. It is a great way to showcase producers skills, artist versatility and overall a change. It can be said that the remix was invented by Sean “P.Diddy” Combs. I can agree with this. Think about it he has said flat out that “He invented the remix.” When we look at the history of the remix, it originated in the 60’s with dancehall music. Which is easily remixed when listen to different versions of songs. Now we look at the modern day remixes. Everyone can do it. If you are an artist nine times out of ten you may want to or be in the works to remix records. The thing is, sometimes the remix of a song is a better way to get known. Look at Destiny’s Child, their first song “No, no, no,” the first version was a semi hit. Had a little buzz but the song truly took off when the addition of Wyclef Jean. This was the start they needed, all because of the remix.
The remix is not always as simple as that. Some remixes come in parts, prime example Busta Rhymes- Touch. Then there are also slow jam remixes and all different types of remixes. The thing I want to stress is the importance for artists to try to remix some songs. Its a great way to examine your skills, and get known in more ways than what you are used to.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
These two thoughts have been floating around in my head. Both of which I have posted, just in case you have not read them. Here are both of them combined. The first is about new hip hop artists as a whole. The second is about so-called musical saviors. Read them and let me know what you think.
A lot of ya’ll cats make hip hop cause your bored. You never really realized what the true meaning of this vast culture was. You are only in it for your name sake. If you took a minute to actually think about it. You are doing exactly what hip hop doesn't stand for. Glorifying ones self for personal gain. Education is a facet of hip hop. Come on now, that’s something that we all should know. Yet to some people hip hop is their meal ticket and by no means am i knocking that hustle. Do you young blood. but like the quote says there are too many emcees not enough fans. Sometimes an emcee needs to be a fan before he EVER decides to step to the mic trying to rock it..for the ahem greater good/ saving hip hop from the riff raff/putting the city of blank on my back.
Whats the fate of your favorite genre? Are you ready to do what you can or can’t to save it. Yeah that's right I'm talking to you up and coming artist who feels as though you are gods gift to music. the one that must “change the game so that the future can thrive” yeah let me just be the first to say you better do what you do u lil dreamer you. In reality. You are about the twentieth person to say some shit like that. and you see ain't shit change but the day. You want to spark change then listen to other artists and collab. do something new and stop trying to say your the new fresh sounds that music needs. unless you are gods gift and starting a new musical renaissance u ain't gonna do shit but drop a few albums maybe get a buzz that will last a lil while then end up at Costco grabbing carts talking about I'm the next MC such and such. Again I'm not trying to knock you what you do your craft is good. but you have to have realistic goals. You can’t take over the game in a day. you better rent that game first figure it out then make your moves. remember its chess not checkers. Simple bitches need simple games. If you want complexity then you need to evolve and grow up.
Thursday, September 02, 2010
This sounds familiar...
Use your Ears not your Peers
Oh the good ole days of Hip Hop (No this isn't a ran or bashing) Everyone has those nestalgic moments. Where they quote Rakim, Big or some other classic by which we guage what music should sound like. The question is what makes our ears the personal real hip hop level. We just go with what sounds good with a mixture of peer pressure. If a few view an artist as garbage our mindsets automatically change to have a distaste for that artist. We all have been a part of this situation.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Quality Underground Hip Hop
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Chopped and Screwed
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Album Review: SouthernPlayalisticMaybachMusic
Mick Boogie is that dude if you in the hip hop world didn't know. I have been a fan of his mix tapes since back when he put out Ice Cream (yeah check that out if you haven't heard it better find it.) So his mixes and blends have been a fan favorite in the Cleveland area and now all over the world. So when I heard he was doing a mix tape with Big Boi and Ricky Ross I was kind of intrigued. Then there came Mick Boogie Presents Big Boi and Rick Ross: SouthernPlayalisticMaybachMusic. Now for those who are not too familiar that is a play on OutKast's cd, SouthernPlayalisticCadillacMuzik. This mix of songs of both artists and the mixes are pretty smooth. I found myself singing along with some of the Outkast sampled songs completing verses. Soon as I am ready for 3000 (Andre 3000) to come on i hear a "Boss," line then some crack rap. I am okay with some crack line metaphors, but what I was not used to was the over abundance of these lines. To me there wasn't a complete mix of the songs. I would have liked to see some exclusive content or a mix of a track with some new Ross and Big Boi verses. As much as I hoped that it would be a good mix I was a little disappointed with what was presented.
The thing wasn't that it was a bad mix with Mick Boogie at the helm I personally believe that the concept was good, just the choice of artists was the reason that the cd didn't quite meld well together. Maybe if we swap out Rick Ross for the likes of a J. Cole, or a J Electronica, maybe even for a twist of sorts throw in a Joell (Ortiz) or Beanie Sigel. Just the use of an artist that is versatile would make this effort better. Overall I would say this is a cd with high potential but it just falls flat quickly.
Oh Crispy Score- 3 out of 5
Download Here
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Hip Hop Honors: The Real Version
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
No Hetero…errrr No Homo
Now that this movement is in it’s “post movement era.” I have decided to give my opinion on it. When this whole, “No-Homo,” movement actually started by Cam’ron and Dipset. It spread like wildfire, your masculinity had to be in check. They were reinforcing the stigma that you, as a man cannon be okay with your own personal sexuality , nor can you be okay with the non0hetero sexualities that are prevalent in society. This really boils down to Hip-Hop’s lack of emotional depth.
Emotion is the kryptonite of Hip-Hop, as in some regards so is sexuality. Homosexuality is the biggest no-no in the culture. Bigger than oh lets say snitching. Urban Dictionary defined it as: Said to show that you aren't gay after saying something that sounded gay. If you are a homosexual or do anything that could be misconstrued as gay, and the least bit masculine you are looked down upon. Hence the “no-homo,” movement. Saying lines that some could constitute as gay but following it with the “no-homo,” like you are okay. This came through and swept the community like Katrina and everyone did it. Thinking this was okay and just a Hip-Hop fad. Under the hood of that we were as a community thought it was okay, we are shunning a group of people that are more or less the same as the norm. I never thought Hip-Hop was for going with the main stream. being founded on the principles of social injustice and all. Since this caught on many Homo-rappers and artists felt as though a group that at one time was somewhat accepting is now treating them as second class citizens.
Hip-Hop needs to go back to the roots of being about the people. We talk about each other and not the social issues that are important to us all. How would Hip-Hop feel if there was a no-hetero movement? Or how about a No-Nigger movement. Being as though the major consumer of the genre is Caucasian males from about 16 to 27 year olds. How would we feel then?
A good video that talks more about this is youtube video from Ill-Doctrine
Can I melt on a Plastic Beach?
Okay so that was a bad joke but hey you can't blame me. As you can tell I'm going to be review the new Gorillaz Plastic Beach album. For those who don't know, I do enjoy some Gorillaz. From the first time I heard them years ago I have been a fan of what they do. And it is true some of their songs are either hit or miss and sadly I'm believing that this is the truth for this album.
The Gorillaz started back in 1998 as an idea from Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. And to those who don't know, the band "technically," isn't comprised of real people. They are 2-D fictional characters. They are a mix of many genres including Hip-Hop, punk, dub and more.
Fast forward to their third studio album. (They have a vast amounts of side projects and collaboration albums too) Plastic Beach which was heavily anticipated because of the major success of Demon Days. This cd seems to have more of a Hip-Hop feel out of all other genres that they are considered artists of. To me that is kind of a good thing but just the same can be said to be a step away from their cross-genre past.
The songs still have that funky Gorillaz feel. With their trademark singing over sometimes heavily synthesized records. Their lyrical content is actually very well done. If you can get passed some of the beats and focus on what they are actually saying this album is pretty good. Add in the guest appearences with Mos Def aka Black Dante, De La Soul, Bobby Womack and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble its a very well rounded mix of artists.
My only negative about this album is that it wasn't a true "mix" of genres that I am used to. Not to say that the mostly Hip Hop take on this cd is bad but
Favorite song off the album: Superfast Jellyfish feat. Gruff Rhys and De La Soul. Just the way this song flows and sounds is very well done.
Least favorite song off the album: Rhinestone Eyes. I don't know I personally wasn't feeling this song as a whole. Just didn't do anything for me.
In the end I will say I was happy to get this album in my hands. I love just as much as I disliked how they strayed away from their normal style of making music. And that change can either be hit or miss depending on the fan.
4 oh crispy's out of 5
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Black History Trivia….I Call Bullshit
Yesterday was OU’s very own Black History Trivia game. I was excited a fun way to educate about the history of my ancestors. But I was met with some harsh realizations from this game show. That that was a poor excuse for trying to educate about Black History. Know I know that I am not the most involved so to speak and pro Black on campus but even this struck a cord with me.
Now some of the questions that were being asked were okay and by that I really mean OKAY. The actual questions about history were good. Asking about Jackie Robinson being the first African American baseball player. (Which is actually wrong, it was Moses Fleetwood Walker..look it up) To which law was passed after MLK jr was assassinated. Some of these questions were challenging to even my group of friends. While some of the actual questions on movies and television were subpar. I was expecting and wanting a little bit more and my wishes weren’t met. Yeah lets all get the Sidney Poitier and who is Red Foxx questions. When the questions get remedial in the sense of name the characters played by a certain actor. And they did not go that far back from what I saw. Even that was okay the biggest problem was the music category.
Music is a big part of Black History. There is so much on this part of our history that the game show could have been on just this alone. But when the name that song portion of this game is playing the likes of Soulja boy, BEP, Kanye West, Sean Kingston and the like I was truly appalled. Is this really Black History? What have they truly done that was historic to the greater good of Black people? Its okay I have time I will wait… Nothing that really comes to mind. Now before you think that I am bashing they did play some Dionne Warwick, The Temptations, Etta James. This actually made me proud but where was Frankie Beverly and Maze, George Clinton, James Brown. Would I be asking to much for this. I want some people who changed the way music was produced, made and experienced. Where were The Fugees.
I understand it was for fun but when did learning about our history really just become a game. We need to do better.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Album Review: The Reminders
What's going on world? It has been a while but I needed to take some time and figure out my life and how hip hop was and is going to be apart of it. And to start things back up I have chosen to do an album review about The Reminders. This duo are some very insightful Muslim emcees. They are a group which I have actually gotten the opportunity to meet on a few occasions. They are a Hip Hop couple out of the Colorado area. The group is comprised of Aja Black a deep and conscious Femcee. She rhymes as well as sings with a good voice. Her in my opinion should be up there with a Jean Grae type. With her husband Big Samir who is also an emcee in both English and French. Their cd “The Reminders ReCollect,” is a mix of sounds of quality lyrics with solid beats to carry the whole cd. We see them perform different styles of songs. Covering many different topics from having self empowerment. To how they have grown up. This is one of the underground cds that I can honestly say is on the Zune right now. From beginning to end. The song I would highlight is Aja Black’s “I’ll 4 Life” This shows us that female’s who want to be lyrical can do it. Her word play in this song is amazing. The way she strung together sicknesses with Hip Hop metaphors is top notch to say the least. I would tell you to go and get a copy of this album
5 Oh Crispy’s out of 5
And to hear their music go here to take a listen to some dope emcees.