hip hop
MF Doom
Also known as King Geedorah, Viktor Vaughn, Zen Love X, and Metal Fingers - MF Doom has been truly grinding (working hard) in the hip hop circuit. Not only has he published multiple albums in single years, he’s been non stop touring around the nation. With all that work and strong reputation, it’s weird to see him go unsigned.
Subject | Dwele
If you’ve heard of Dwele, its most probably in reference to when he sang the hooks for Kanye West’s song Flashing Lights on Graduation (2007). That was Dwele’s official break, though he had a few singles that made it into the radio waves and DJ booths far before. My introduction to this obnoxious soul artist was in 2003 when I was in college and heard Find A Way playing at a D.C. lounge. That introduced me to a neosoul, laid back, and conscious artist who produced a solid soul album entitled Subject (2003).
Video Interview | Dahlak Brathwaite
2 HBO Def Poetry Jam appearances, 2 Time SF Bay Poetry Slam champion, a National Poetry Slam championship, and a sold out album are all accomplishments of Dahlak before he turned 22. We found out how he got there and what he’s doing now.
Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik | Outkast
Being their debut album, Outkast showed the world what they were about and how they could flow. Though totally produced in their basement studio, this album sounds amazing and reflects the life work of both these emcees. For those of you who don’t see it outright, you pronounce this album as Southern Playalistic Cadillac Music.
Power In Numbers | Jurassic 5
Jurassic 5 was an LA ensemble consisting of two DJ’s: Nu-Mark and Cut Chemist, and rappers Chali 2na, Akil, Zaakir, and Mark 7even. And like any ensemble, each track on this album reflects the divergent interests of whichever producer is leading. What makes them a group is their ability to tie it all together into a solid, furious, and consistent lyrical flow.
Mixtape About Nothing | Wale
You might have first heard Wale’s name on the new Roots album Rising Down. He was on the track Rising Up with Chrisette Michele which has a music video on MTV. Well he recently dropped a mixtape entitled A Mixtape About Nothing (2008) which takes themes presented on the comedy show Seinfeld and does his own spin on what that topic represents to him.
Dual Consciousness | Dahlak Brathwaite
Dahlak is one obnoxious artist. He’s an emcee, a poet, an actor, and I think he has a little comedian inside him too. Though his claim to fame to date has been his unique style of def poetry, Dahlak’s first exploration of his musical talent can be vividly seen in his debut album Dual Consciousness (2007). And I think it’s a awesome.
Fantastic, Vol. 2 | Slum Village
A true classic. Production by J Dilla, incredibly smart lyrics and smooth flow by the emcees, and collaborations with some of the best artists in the game at the time like Common, D’Angelo, Jazzy Jeff, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, and Busta Rhymes. This is an album you pop in the sound system or ipod and simply zone out. Removal of stress + mind thoughts guaranteed!
Kala | M.I.A.
Kala (2007) is M.I.A.’s second album and was released almost a year ago from today. It was originally meant to be produced here in the U.S. by Timbaland and his studios but due to Visa problems, it couldn’t be done. So M.I.A. got creative and started finding her own production people by visiting several countries in Africa, India, and Sri Lanka to come up with the sound. When you hear the album, you’ll think some of the beats were recorded literally on the streets of these countries!
Video Interview | George Watsky
George Watsky is another one of my heroes. He’s smart, articulate, artistic, and has a real unique way of entertaining - poetry. Learn how he’s launched his career and set himself up for obnoxious success.
