EventsQuick Links: Blackstar | Reflection Eternal | Common | Amel Larrieux | Kanye West | Marley Brothers | Immortal Technique | Robert Glasper | Lupe Fiasco
Blackstar
As the most notable names in conscious hip hop, Mos Def and Talib Kweli brought the tone, flow, and lyrics to the genre of quality hip hop. Their first and only album entitled Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Blackstar (1999) was by far the best hip hop albums by a group or duo and will absolutely go down in our music history books. Though their individual albums afterwards like Talib Kweli’s Train of Thought (2000) and Mos Def’s Black on Both Sides (1999) were both incredible and well composed albums, Blackstar brought together the best of both men’s sound and lyrics.
Blackstar did more than create one album, they reinvigorated and reinstated the genre and presence of hip hop. I believe they are the most influential artists to the world of conscious (aka real) hip hop. They’ve managed to inspire and make popular the sound of hip hop artists like Kanye West and Lupe Fiasco, Jazz musician like Ronny Jordan, production artists like Hi-Tek and Minnesota, and soul singers like Floetry, Goapele, and Faith Evans. That is to only name a few. Their music and art form, as a group and as individuals, has also changed the way we listen to hip hop music today. We regained our love for lyrics again(like back in the NWA + BDP days) and allowed the beat/production to take a back seat. We realized the importance and impact of group dynamics which had been lost in the solo emcee world for several years. And last, we learned to honor and praise artists with a mind and K.O.S. (Knowledge of Self, Determination).
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Reflection Eternal
Talib Kweli’s first full length album without Mos Def is by far his best work to date. Though he’s grown insurmountably over the last several years, this album has been engraved into the minds of hip hop enthusiasts and taken precedence of everything he has done and will do. It’s what Illmatic (1994) was to Nas, what Reasonable Doubt (1996) was to Jay-Z, and what Born To Do It (2001) was to Craig David. It’s well produced (DJ Hi-Tek), its raw, and it’s just damn good music!
Train of Thought (2000) is instrumental to Talib Kweli’s foundation as an emcee and as an artist. He is motivational, he is lyrical, and he is on point. To me, this albums brings together a few different feelings to me before I start it on my playlist. Like any personal favorite, it hast the ability to do that due to the memories and emotions I was going through when I first heard it.
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Common
Common is one of my personal heros and role models. He’s spiritual when it comes to religion and the way he goes about living life. He looks fcuk’in amazing and he’s gotta be somewhere in his late 30s. He used to be a vegan and he still eats really healthy (my friend has seen him at the Brooklyn Food Coop picking up organic food). He’s recently gotten into the acting game and he’s kicking butt (recently in Wanted with Angelina Jolie, alongside Denzel Washington in American Gangster, and bodyguard to Ari Gold in Smokin’ Aces). He’s a father to a beautiful daughter who he talks about in his songs, “My daughter found Nemo, I found the new Primo” and expresses his love and admiration on a daily basis. He’s been recently linked to being in a relationship with Alicia Keys and Serena Williams in the past year alone (btw. I am infatuated with Alicia Keys). And to top all of that, he’s one of the best emcees in the hip hop game signed to a fantastic record label and linked to one of the best producers.
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Amel Larrieux
You might have heard her name when she was lead singer and musician apart of Groove Theory, the group that brought you songs like Tell Me and Keep Tryin’. She’s also a Grammy nominated artist for her work with Stanley Clarke and Glenn Lewis. Regardless of her credentials, she’s an Obnoxious artist who’s got all the makings for the best soul and jazz singer of our generation.
I’ve never heard a soul singer or any vocalist for that matter hit the high notes that Amel does throughout her various albums and liver performances. She not only hits them, but she stays on them over the course of her songs. At a few live shows, I heard her extend one of her songs five minutes just singing high notes with no lyrics. Sounded just like an instrument that kept up with the other sounds, but did not seem to have any specific agenda. It was like she was in the song and just tagging along for the ride. As weird as that sounds, that’s what she’s able to do with her music.
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Kanye West
A man I predict they will call a legend, an icon, and a revolutionary in the future - Kanye West is an emcee, producer, and entrepreneur that defines where hip hop is today. There are lots of places where you can find out who Kanye is, what is acheivements are, and how he beat 50 Cent in record sales this year. I’m not here to talk or comment about those items. I more want to express how he as an individual and musician has reawakened the genre of hip hop back to its conscious roots and revolutionary overtone.
Granted, Kanye West might be one of the cockiest emcess and producers in the game. He might hog the spotlight at times and throw a fit occasionally if something doesn’t go his way. He also may brag about things that yet have not happened. I’m here to tell you - don’t disregard that. He is who he is and he has done what he has done because of his character.
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Marley Brothers
New age reggae has a very different set of artists compared to the Bob Marley days. You have your dancehall bump in the club artists, your island soulful vacation mood artists, your weed smoking layback in the crib too slow to move artists, and then you have the Marley’s.
The Marley’s stand out far outside the realm of the norm. I consider them a distinct group of artists and brothers who inherited the wisdom and soul of Bob Marley, while still adapting to the new culture and politics of our generation. They stand firm as the roots of conscious reggae music.
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Immortal Technique
Is it possible for music to scare you? I’m not talking about Marilyn Manson freaky scary nor am I talking about heavy screaming that makes you think “is this much pain in a human even possible?” I’m more talking about lyrics that are so truthful and delivery that is so right in your face, that you literally have 5 sec to decide if you want to take the blue pill or red pill from Morpheus. When I listened to Immortal Technique for the first time, that’s exactly how I felt.
Immortal Technique can be best described as a hardcore underground hip-hop emcee with raw style; he uses simple beats and his lyrics can be downright caustic at times, but mostly everything he does has a message. [thx, Schiavoni] And that message is so engrossing, you can’t help but listen to more of what he has to say.
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Robert Glasper Trio
I actually came across his name for the first time after I got into Kurt Rosenwinkel and was digging around for more new jazz. I remember hearing some clips and throwing him on my maybe list of upcoming purchases, and then I just didn’t get around to it. Then I came across his name again when I saw Mos Def in concert with Amino Alkaline since Robert Glasper was on the keys for that show. Honestly, that was an amazing concert and I don’t know why it didn’t lead me to purchase some of Glasper’s music soon thereafter. My point being that great musicians can float under your noise for a long time even when you’re actively looking for new music. Well his name popped in my head again for some reason and I finally made the purchase.
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Lupe Fiasco
I’ll be honest - I wasn’t a big fan of this guy when he first came out. I thought he was just riding the Kanye West bandwagon and his lyrical skills were limited. Then I realized I was stupid and that was that!
If you like Kanye, N.E.R.D., Common, and Blackstar - you will absolutely love Lupe Fiasco. Lupe has managed to finesse me into both his fan club and his bandwagon when I saw him perform live at University of Delaware. He’s got skill and the great thing is - he’s still young and growing!
