It's that scary day of the year once again, Halloween. Things go bump in the night, spooky stories are told, and ghastly visions are seen. Or you just use the holiday to dress up and get insanely drunk. What ever your views on the holiday, hip hop has always had the soundtracks to play along with any Halloween party or gathering. Over the years, we've had everything from Whodini's "Freaks Come Out at Night" and the "Haunted House of Rock", to all the Horrorcore type fad that was around the mid 90's. Humor and gore, what other musical genre can be that diverse?
I've always found Halloween to be a fun. To me, it was always another reason to party. I've had some memorable moments over the past years, and as usual, hip hop was always involved. For the final WYDU Classic of WYDU's birthday month, I put together some "classic" scary themed hip hop tracks. There is a little bit of everything to be found on here. Some humor, some geniune disturbing tracks. There is some corny shit, some good stuff, and some in between. I've never been a big horrorcore fan, so I left most of that alone. There is a gang of Freddy and Nightmare On Elm Street tracks on here. For some reason, I never realized how big of a fad that was back in 87, 88 until I watched Werner von Wallenrod's Video blog on his NEW blogger hosted blog (how happy am I to see that?). After watching his video that included MC Chill, Rock Gee & Jazzy, and Krushin' MCs (didn't have the Rock Gee joint), instead of adding a few tracks to the WYDU Classic I was planning on putting up tonight, I ended up doing the whole volume on the Halloween theme. So if you don't like it, blame Werner...haha
-Note: Seriously, if you don't know Werner von Wallenrod's blog before this, you really need to check it out. That cat knows more than me and anyone else I know combined when it comes to old school hip hop.
WYDU Halloween Classics Oct 08
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WOBSEBEY
01 D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - A Nightmare On My Street
I loved this song as a kid. I actually won an award in my Junior year English class for "Best Directed Video", for a video I made for this song. I came up with the concept, took director's duties and even did a little acting for it. Wow, if that video tape came out, I'd be the next Hype Williams....haha
02 Geto Boys - Mind Playing Tricks On Me
Mainly used it for Bushwick's last verse. This track has always reminded of the holiday, so on it goes.
03 Eminem & Royce Da 5'9 - Scary Movies
Again, we are just getting warmed up. Kind of follows the theme and I just like the song. The strings are killer and any track that has Royce and Em at his prime is good with me.
04 Masta Ace - Scared Of The Dark
An unreleased track from the Music Man. Not really "scary" or dealing with anything scary other than racism, but again it fit the theme. This track was made after Take a Look Around and before Slaughtahouse. Dope track. You can find it these days, but I'm not going to tell you where.
05 Lovebug Starski - Amityville (House On The Hill)
The Lovebug came with a track that made modest noise back in 1985. Nothing "spooktacular" (so shoot me...), but we jump into the more themed tracks of the compilation. To read more on this particular track, check out Werner's write up on it last year during Halloween.
06 Fat Boys - Are You Ready For Freddy
I had completely forgotten about this Fat Boys track, which is odd, cause I'm a pretty big fan of the Fat Boys, but after watching the video, I remember why I banished it out to my subconscious. I'll let the video do the rest of the talking. Yes, that's the real Freddy rapping....wow.....
07 Dana Dane - Nightmares
Another one of the original novelty "haunted" raps from one of the original Kangol Krew members.
08 Gregory D & Mannie Fresh - Freddie's Back
Another Freddy track, Fred was a popular dude. And yes, THAT Mannie Fresh.
09 DJ Magic Mike & MC Madness -Back to Haunt You
I enjoy my bass music, so have to include one of the best to ever do it in the form of Magic Mike. You had to remember the cover to this EP.
10 MC A.D.E. - Nightmare On A.D.E. Street
And while Magic Mike was probably the best selling bass artist of all-time, I have to go with A.D.E. as my favorite bass artist of all-time. Yet another Freddy influenced track. As far as I remember, this wasn't on any of his albums. There was a "Nightmare Bonus" on his debut platter, but I think this was only a 12 inch offering.
11 Run-D.M.C. - Ghostbusters
Wow, I forgot just how much I hated this song when it came out and time hasn't really changed that. This was that weird time when Daryl, Joe and Jay were having a problem finding themselves musically. The only good thing to come out of this song was the fact that "Pause" was the b-side and seemed to take off with it's New Jack influenced sound, giving Run DMC a few more years before the Crown Royal LP would permanently sink their careers
12 Krushin' MCs - Nightmare On Rhyme Street
Yet, ANOTHER Nightmare On Elm Street influenced song. This probably ranks as one of my favorites after the DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince effort. Freddy does a wicked beat box routine. This crew would later be known as KMC Kru that did the "Devil Up To Michigan" track that has appeared on past WYDU Classics. Learn more about this track on Werner's video post.
13 Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew - Spirit
The Ghostbusters II movie tried to ruin another rap group. This track isn't as bad as the Run DMC effort, just kind of half hearted. Funny enough, Hip Hop was high commercialized even back in those days. It's nothing new.
14 MC Chill - Nightmare on Chill Street
Guess what this song is about? That's right, Freddy! Another 12 inch single only track that you won't find on his self titled debut (and only?) album. Learn more again on Werner and thanks goes to him for reminding me about this track.
15 Kings of Pressure - Tales From The Darkside
Things get a little more serious with this Kings Of Pressure track. For those of you unfamiliar with Kings of Pressure, they were a group pieced together by Eric Sadler and Hank Shocklee if I remember right and featured Johnny Juice. Not bad, but would have been better with Bomb Squad production behind them. Dope song though.
16 Madstyle - Visions of Vampires
I don't know much about this group, only found this track when I was going through some of my files on my computer looking for a Mobstyle track. This track needs to be much longer though. Fits the scary theme perfectly.
17 Gangsta Nip - Horror Movie Rap
Couldn't have a Halloween themed compilation without a Gangster NIP track, could we? I'm not always big on this type of hip hop, but I can appreciate some of it and NIP is one of them.
18 Insane Poetry - Bring Ya Daughter To The Slaughter
Interview With a Pysco probably would have fit better, but I couldn't pass up a song with a title that repped WYDU.
19 Geto Boys - Chuckie
Although I always found the Bushwick Bill and Chuckie tracks rather corny, I have to admit that I liked them, especially this track.
20 Gravediggaz feat Craig G - Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
I was never a big Gravediggaz fan, which stands to reason why I'm not completely sure where this track is from. I wanted to pick something different than the normal tracks I could have picked from the group, so this was the one I went with.
21 The Undatakaz - The Gravediggers
I know nothing about this group, can't find shit about them either. As far as I know, I think they were from New Jersey, but that's about it.
22 Arts of Orgin - Into The Pit
Chino XL's first group, only the intro resembles much of a Halloween track, but I like the song, so it made it.
23 Three Six Zero - The Lyrical Jasun
All I know is this crew was out of Connecticut and it utilizes a nice use of a Big Daddy Kane vocal sample.
24 Elem3nt - Evil Echos
This is a pretty freaky track and fits well into the whole theme. The "rapping" is weird, more like MC 900 FT Jesus doing a horrorcore track, but it's interesting. I got nothing as far as any background though.
10/31/2008
Trick O' Treat: WYDU Halloween Classics Oct 08
10/30/2008
Will C Presents: Mr Magic "Down The Dial"
For us thirty somethings out there that have been listening to the music since the early/mid/late 80's, there is nothing more nostalgic than hearing the old radio shows coming out of New York City in the mid and late 80's, Chuck Chillout, Red Alert, and the one that started it all off, Mr. Magic. Doing the first exclusive hip hop radio show in 1983, Magic was where cats went to get their weekly dose of the latest fresh hip hop music. Backed by a group of DJs, including the great Marley Marl, Magic is one of the most important hip hop figures in those early radio days for hip hop.
My true love for hip hop still lies in the old school stuff, the golden age years, so whenever a project such as the new Mr. Magic compilation "Down The Dial" by Will C. comes along, I'm all ears. My man Will C. attempts to bring the flavor back to the ears for us old fogeys as well as introduce some of those who maybe weren't around in the 80's to check out exactly what Mr. Magic meant to the game. "Down The Dial", offers up a glimpse into what Mr. Magic brought to the table, his importance to the history of hip hop and more. I sat down with Will C. to discuss this extremely impressive project.
Mr. Magic "Down The Dial" GIVE AWAY!!!!!
WYDU in coordination with Will C. will be giving away a FREE copy of the Mr. Magic "Down The Dial" CD to a lucky contestant. Answer the following questions (Read the interview, it'll help):
Q: Before WBLS, what station was home to Mr. Magic's "Disco Showcase" and later "Rap Attack"? Also, name another classic rap radio show or DJ that aired on this station in that era.
Get that answer into Will C. (illlicense@yahoo.com) by 11:59 PM Fri, Oct 31, and Will will draw a name from the correct answers for the CD. Don't miss out on this chance to get a slice of history!
To Purchase "Down The Dial" hit up Will C. at either:
http://www.myspace.com/willc6
or
illlicense@yahoo.com
Down The Dial Interview
WYDU: What's good Will C.? What exactly is "Down The Dial" and why was it important to you to do this project with Mr. Magic?
Will C: What up WYDU? “Down The Dial” is a concept I put together to serve as an all-encompassing tribute to the “Mr. Magic’s Rap Attack” radio show. During the show’s heyday in the 1980s, New York City hip hop radio was filled with excitement and spontaneity. Mr. Magic, who is without a doubt my all-time favorite radio personality, was backed by his main DJ, “Engineer All Star” Marley Marl, who just so happens to be my all-time favorite hip hop producer. With that partnership, the show could do no wrong in my opinion.
“Down The Dial” is my attempt to revisit as well as recreate the Rap Attack. I took the show’s standard format and condensed it to one hour. Throughout the disc you will hear vintage pieces of some classic Rap Attack moments, as well as a collection of mastermixes I created that were heavily inspired by the show. Hopefully, if all goes according to plan, there will be moments where you can’t tell if you’re hearing the vintage side of things or the new mixes. As Magic liked to say, “Is it live or is it Marley Marl?”
W: In your thoughts and words, what is Mr. Magic's legacy on the radio game and just hip hop in general?
Will C: I think Mr. Magic’s legacy in hip hop is a lot bigger than people tend to realize. He was known as “The Official Voice of Hip Hop.” That’s quite a title! During his years on the radio in NYC, he was an integral part of breaking countless records and acts. As an outspoken host, his crew of DJs had the power to spin your record as many times as they wanted, or to take your record off the turntable and dis it on air for the city to hear. I suppose any New York rap radio personality had the freedom to do this, but nobody used (and perhaps abused) this right as often and vocally as Magic. People would listen to his show not only to hear the best of the new releases, but also to hear what he would say about what he didn’t like. As a result, tapes of his show are still sought after to this day. The people he would dis weren’t always a Joe Schmo group either, especially when one revisits the show and hears future legends getting knocked. The intro to “Down The Dial” serves as evidence of this.
The reason I say people don’t always realize the magnitude of his legacy is because a lot of his golden moments are frozen in time. In such an easily accessible era, where one can snatch up classic albums for nothing and search wikipedia for info on their favorite groups, there is still a lack of substantial information online on Magic. You can’t go out and buy his “classic album,” because he’s not an artist. The Rap Attack isn’t something you can buy in a store, and you would be hard pressed to download a great quality show of his from front to back online. This makes his legacy more prone to slipping through the cracks. People reference him and seem to have an understanding that he meant a lot to the game, but without a standard means to grasp that legacy, it leaves people cloudy on the history. Hopefully “Down The Dial” will take steps in changing this.
W: You are doing this project on your own, how has it been putting this thing together? What has the initial response been like?
Will C: Man it’s been hectic, but I like to think of it as a good hectic. People are responding positively… I strongly believe there’s a demographic of hip hop listeners out there that are into this type of thing, a combination of those who have a nostalgic urge to hear an important part of their childhood, and those of a new generation trying to discover some lost gems. I’m on a mission to get the word out on the project so that everybody potentially interested is aware it exists! Nobody else is going to do that for me, so I’m thankful we live in a computer age where I can do a lot of the work myself from the comfort of my own home.
W: How was it working with Mr. Magic himself on this project as far as stories he had to share, his willingness and the such? What was his reaction when you first approached him?
Will C: Looking back, it’s crazy to me how this all went down. I actually met Mr. Magic and his longtime friend and business partner Tyrone “Fly Ty” Williams for reasons completely unrelated to this project. In fact, I met them before I was consciously working on “Down The Dial.” We had kind of a funny first encounter. Ty looked at me, noticing I was significantly younger than them, and went into what seemed to be almost a routine interrogation… (pointing to Magic) “DO YOU KNOW WHO THIS MAN IS?! The FIRST MAN to play hip hop on the radio!” I told them I knew that… one month later we’re building on ideas. Fly Ty is a story teller, and when he talks, I listen. They gave me all new behind the scenes knowledge about the Rap Attack. They told me things about the Juice Crew that blew my mind. Maybe someday those stories will see the light of day, but that’s a whole other project.
One day Ty and Magic brought me a boatload of old Rap Attack cassettes. The tapes were from the vaults of Juice Crew affiliate Starrlite. (random side note: Starrlite is the female rapper on Jazzy Keith’s “Force Desire” from Street Sounds Hip Hop / Electro 18). I had never seen an archive like this, dating back to Magic’s days on 105.9 WHBI when his show was called the Disco Showcase! There weren’t even enough good hip hop 12”s released to fill his time slot at that time… that’s going way back (check my track “New York Class” for more on this). We leaked a piece of one of the older tapes via Stretch Armstrong’s “Konstant Kontact” blog around the time I first checked it out. It was an excerpt from the Mr. Magic Disco Showcase 1981 where he, ridiculously enough, had just came from the classic amphitheatre jam the night “Wild Style” was filmed.
Over time, the tapes inspired me to start creating what was to become “Down The Dial.” I knew it was falling into place when I had Magic in C’s Section (my studio) recording exclusive radio spots. He gave me his blessing to get creative with the mix and make it happen.
W: What were some of your early memories/favorite moments that had to do with the radio show?
Will C: There are so many highlights, but I’ll just throw some out there that come to mind immediately. There’s nothing like hearing a now-classic record play on the show with the signature “A Worlllld Premiere” drop over it. This essentially means they were playing the brand new record for the first time. Put it this way… I got a show where the “World Premiere” drop is over The Furious Five’s “The Message.” Something about that just blows my mind! What adds to that scenario is when the world premiered record is an earlier recording than the final product we are all familiar with. I’ve heard shows where they play out alternate mixes and earlier rough cuts of tracks like Slick Rick’s “The Ruler’s Back,” Whodini’s “Funky Beat,” Big Daddy Kane’s “Aint No Half Steppin’,” among others.
Some of the most entertaining moments on the show are when he would dis a record. They had a drop they would play as they were taking a record off that they thought was wack. It was Mike C from the Fearless Four saying “IiiiIi don’t like it! I don’t like it at all, I don’t like it!...” Sometimes that drop comes when you least expect it.
Magic would constantly throw disses in the direction of DJ Red Alert on 98.7 KISS FM. During one point in time WBLS (the station the Rap Attack was on) had a drop that stated “KISS BUSTERS!” Some of my favorite tapes are from the era when BDP had just come out, and Magic and the Juice Crew are trading verbal blows with KRS and Scott La Rock. We all know what was said on record, but there was quite a bit of memorable things said on air too.
It certainly isn’t all about the controversy though. Honestly, I just really enjoy hearing these recordings where hip hop radio was a lot more fun. I have one show from the early Eighties where they’re playing a Malcolm McLaren record, when all of a sudden Magic starts counting down “10…9…8” until you hear them celebrating the New Year. Everybody just seemed to be enjoying themselves. It was a different time.
W: You have an early special as an incentive for people to grab this early, can you explain a little bit about that offer?
Will C: No doubt! To celebrate the release of “Down The Dial” I decided to offer a deluxe package, limited to 100 pressed. The package contains the “Down The Dial” deluxe digipack CD, as well as the “No More Music By The Suckers” 18” x 24” poster and WBLS “POW! Right In The Kisser” T-shirt. The poster features 12 of the most interesting tapes from the vaults of Starrlite, including the previously 
mentioned “Wild Style” show. The "WBLS" t-shirt is based on a 1980s design by Mr. Magic and Fly Ty. The front features the original "107.5 WBLS In a Class By Itself" logo, with the "Will C." and "Down The Dial" logos at the bottom. The back features the 98.7 KISS FM signature lips on the back crossed out, with the text "POW! Right In The Kisser," with scrolling Public Enemy text "…No More Music By The Suckers…" across the bottom. They’re getting snatched up fast, so don’t sleep! Hit up iLLLicense@yahoo.com with your address and t-shirt size (M, L, XL) to get your hands on one of the remaining packages! For more info and pictures, check out http://www.myspace.com/willc6
W: What do you hope people get out of this release? Do think hip hop radio will ever have another on air personality such as Mr. Magic, or for that matter the other early cats, such as Red, Stretch and Bobbito, ect?
Will C: I just want people to enjoy this thing. I had a great time making it! Sadly, I don’t think there will ever be another wave of the aforementioned personalities, but I’d love to be proved wrong. The problem is with such an over saturation of clueless rap music, the next radio talent would probably have to name his show something like the “Disco Showcase” as well, because for even more depressing reasons, there wouldn’t be enough good hip hop singles to fill up a time slot. Instead of too little we have too much crap.
Sending what’s up and thank yous to: KARMA, Big Dan, 7L & Esoteric, Magic and Ty, Riz, Biz, Classic MC, Nostalgic, Raydar Ellis, and finally to WYDU for giving me the opportunity to do this interview. Peace
10/29/2008
Denver, Colorado Early Voting Parties Hosted By Akomplice Clothing w/ Music From DJ Low Key
The first of probably a few more voting related topics to be seen on WYDU before Tuesday. I'm not going to tell you who to vote for (although, I think if you know me, it's rather obvious who I want as the next president), but I think this is a very important election this year. A lot of people don't know that you can already vote in a lot of states. You don't have to wait until election day in the long ass lines to cast your ballet. Get out there and get it done, you'll be glad you did.
In my former home state of Colorado, which is an VERY important state this year, my man DJ Low Key and Akomplice Clothing are hosting an early voting party TOMORROW in Denver!!!!! Dope music, trips to the polls in a limo and dope music.....did I mention dope music???
Here is what they send:
As you very well know Colorado is a swing state, and could potentially decide the entire election, so we need to make sure the youth takes a stand by voting to get the change we need.
THURSDAY, 10/30 from 11am-6pm -> Akomplice will be hosting two parties simultaneously at the Red Room in Denver (320 East Colfax) and Installation in Boulder (1955 Broadway). The parties will have music from DJ Low Key, Sounds Supreme, DJ Squirt, B-Money & more guests TBA with limousines driving to and from the the voting polls (which are both located within 3 blocks of the parties). This way people are actually casting their votes and not just talking about it. To add icing to the cake, after you return you can trade in your I voted stickers for free Akomplice gear, $1 PBRs at the Red Room and 15% off sneakers from Installation. So come drink, dance, ride in limousines, get free gear, and avoid the rush of election day by casting your vote early. 11am-6pm / 18+ to get into the parties.
If I was still in Denver, you best bet I'd be all over this. All my Denver readers, hit this up, sounds like a good time! Damn, I miss Denver......
Used CD Shopping Trip 10-25
If you have been a long time reader of the blog, you know that one of my joys in life is going used CD shopping. My move back to the home land has kind of inhibited that passion a bit. Denver was a treasure chest of used CD stores, discounts stores, and pawn shops. Here, on the other hand, only has one independent "Record" store, and a bunch of Hastings entertainment centers. Growing up, Hastings was both cheap and had a lot of good used albums. Not any more, at least not around here. They have a bunch of garbage, and much of that goes for seven bucks or more. I personally have a problem spending much over seven bucks for any used item unless its something I really want.
Needless to say, while I've actually had the extra money to spend this past year, much of that has been spent on Amazon.com buying some of the used items there. It's not nearly as fun though, so when I had some time this past Saturday, I decided to hit up my home base, the Record Exchange, and check out their used section. I've also started buying vinyl once again, meaning the first time since the early nineties. I got some vinyl as some promos from labels and that type of thing, and I forgot just how much I liked the sound of vinyl. It sounds so....."real" I guess is the word for it. The Record Exchange has a nice collection of vinyl....well, it's nice for around here, while it might not match Wax Trax or Twist & Shout back in Denver, they still have some nice pick ups.
Record Exchange
Purchases: All Are Used Vinyl(sorry don't have a way to rip vinyl yet, but you should have the Eazy and Eric B & Rakim already)
Eazy-E - Eazy-Duz-It/5150 2XLP $10.00
http://www.discogs.com/release/348114
I've always loved Eazy-Duz-It, holds some fond memories of my childhood (how wrong is that?), so I wanted to snatch it up. The 5150 EP wasn't anything special, but still not all that bad to grab. As far as buying vinyl, I mainly want to pick up the classics and some of the singles that I used to have on cassette singles and the such.
Eric B & Rakim - Paid In Full $7.00
I probably should have my hip hop pass revoked for not owning this on CD. I do have it on tape from back in the day, just no clue where exactly.
Big Scoob - Champagne On The Block VLS $3.00
http://www.discogs.com/release/306473
One of those things I heard of back in the day, but never saw. This promo only Big Scoob (of Big Daddy Kane fame) release intrigued me enough that I had to pick it up, especially for only three smackers. Nothing amazing, but somewhat entertaining none the less.
After hitting up Record Exchange, I figured I'd humor myself by stopping at a Hastings along the way back home. As I've mentioned, Hastings has went to shit as far as used product goes. Not sure what the reason is for that, maybe cause the younger kids, the ones trading shit in for money or new shit, are listening to crappier music. So when they go to trade stuff back in, it's shitty music. I'm not sure what the reason, but this trip was a bit better than it has been in the past. I didn't spend over $5.99 for anything and got some decent pick ups. Nothing really rare by any stretch of the imagination, but not bad either.
Hastings, Boise Avenue 
Paris - Sleeping With The Enemy (Scarface Records, 1992 Original Issue) $4.99
| 1 | The Enema (Live At The White House) (1:54) | |
| 2 | Make Way For A Panther (2:28) | |
| 3 | Sleeping With The Enemy (2:41) | |
| 4 | House Niggas Bleed To (1:32) | |
| 5 | Bush Killa (4:51) | |
| 6 | Coffee, Donuts & Death (3:53) | |
| Scratches - DJ Yon | ||
| 7 | Thinka 'Bout It (4:26) | |
| 8 | Guerrillas In The Mist (3:11) | |
| 9 | The Days Of Old (4:19) | |
| 10 | Long Hot Summer (1:42) | |
| Producer - Kif | ||
| 11 | Conspiracy Of Silence (3:40) | |
| Featuring - L.P. , Sun Dubious* Producer - Kif | ||
| 12 | Funky Lil' Party (2:50) | |
| 13 | Check It Out Ch'All (3:28) | |
| 14 | Rise (1:12) | |
| 15 | Assata's Song (5:03) | |
| 16 | Bush Killa (Hellraiser Mix) (8:23) | |
I've always liked Paris, especially the "Days of Old" track, but interestingly enough, I can't ever recall owning a Paris album. Maybe he was just too angry for me? I'm not sure. Regardless, for a mere five bucks, I was more than happy to pick this album up.
MC Lyte - Lyte As A Rock (First Priority Music/Atlantic, 1988) $5.99
| 1 | Lyte Vs. Vanna Whyte (2:47) | |
| Producer, Programmed By - Alliance (2) | ||
| 2 | Lyte As A Rock (4:17) | |
| 3 | I Am Woman (2:45) | |
| Producer, Programmed By - King Of Chill* | ||
| 4 | MC Lyte Likes Swingin' (3:17) | |
| Producer, Programmed By - Prince Paul | ||
| 5 | 10% Dis (5:00) | |
| 6 | Paper Thin (5:14) | |
| Producer, Programmed By - King Of Chill* | ||
| 7 | Lyte Thee MC (4:13) | |
| Producer, Programmed By - Alliance (2) | ||
| 8 | I Cram To Understand U (4:39) | |
| 9 | Kickin' 4 Brooklyn (2:20) | |
| 10 | Don't Cry Big Girls (3:57) | |
Being the big First Priority Music family fan, you'd figure I'd already have the possible greatest female hip hop album ever released. Well, I did, in the form of a tape. To be honest, I was never big on female MC's back in the day and the only two I can remember buying was Monie Love and Tairrie B. A girlfriend from my Junior year in high school had a brother who had this tape, he didn't want it, so he gave it to me. That's how I came into possesion of it. Over the years, of course my view on the opposite sex has changed as far as viewing them as talented MCs. The title track is probably my alltime female track and this is just an overall great album, a classic that I'm glad to get my grubby hands on.
Masters Of Illusion - Kutmasta Kurt Presents The Masters of Illusion (Threshold Recordings, 2000) $1.99 (sorry, can't seem to get it to rip)
| 1. Figment (Intro) |
| 2. Masters of Illusion |
| 3. We All Over |
| 4. Magnum Be I |
| 5. U Want Freestyle? - Masters of Illusion, Matlin, Kurt |
| 6. Scared Straight |
| 7. Time 2 Get Right |
| 8. Step Up |
| 9. The Funky Redneck (Skit) |
| 10. East West Hustlers |
| 11. The Bay-Bronx Bridge |
| 12. Call the National Guard |
| 13. Back up Kid - Masters of Illusion, Matlin, Kurt |
| 14. Partnas Confused |
| 15. Souped Up |
| 16. Urban Legends |
From the first day this dropped, I've always wanted to hear this Kool Keith/Motion Man collabo album. You'd think with the magic of internet, I would have by now, but I haven't. I was still okay with Keith back in 2000, and was a fan of the Dr. Dooom project he did. I hated the Black Elvis LP he dropped, but figured I'd give him a chance. I had heard Motion Man on the Dooom project and a couple other places and had always liked him. I still dig the dude, as he dropped a real nice cut on the Oddisee EP from earlier this year. For only two bucks, I was happy to have grabbed it finally.
Royal Flush - Ghetto Millionaire (Blunt Recordings, 1997) $5.99
| 1 | Intro | |
| Producer - Royal Flush | ||
| 2 | I Been Gettin' So Much $ | |
| 3 | Iced Down Medallions | |
| Rap [Featuring] - Noreaga | ||
| 4 | Can't Help It | |
| Vocals [Featuring] - Khadejia* | ||
| 5 | Illiodic Shines | |
| 6 | Movin' On Your Weak Productions | |
| Producer - Da Beatminerz | ||
| 7 | Conflict | |
| Producer - Sha-Self Rap [Featuring] - Wastlanz | ||
| 8 | Shines | |
| Producer - Hi-Tek | ||
| 9 | Family Problems | |
| 10 | What A Shame | |
| Rap [Featuring] - Noreaga | ||
| 11 | Regulate | |
| 12 | Worldwide | |
| Producer - L.E.S. | ||
| 13 | Niggas Night Out | |
| 14 | International Currency | |
| Producer - Chyskillz Rap [Featuring] - Wastlanz | ||
| 15 | War | |
| Producer - Royal Flush | ||
| 16 | Makin' Moves | |
| 17 | Reppin' | |
| Producer - L.E.S. Vocals [Featuring] - Michelle Mitchell | ||
| 18 | Dead Letter | |
| Producer - Low (2) | ||
Despite the fact that Ghetto Millioniare contains one of my all-time favorite songs and beats, "Worldwide", I never got this album. The main reason was, back in the day, my boy Goosebumps and I would take turns buying albums. He was more into the grimey QB type of thing, so he bought the alubm, which I dubbed off of him (I was still rocking the tape player walkman) so despite this being a good album, I never picked it up. Until now.
Sir Mix-A-Lot - Chief Boot Knocka (American Records, 1994) $1.99
| 1 | Sleepin' Wit My Fonk | |
| 2 | Let It Beaounce | |
| 3 | Ride | |
| 4 | Take My Stash | |
| 5 | Brown Shuga | |
| 6 | What's Real | |
| 7 | Double Da Pleasure | |
| 8 | Put' Em On The Glass | |
| 9 | Chief Boot Knocka' | |
| 10 | Don't Call Me Da Da | |
| 11 | Nasty Dog | |
| 12 | Monsta' Mack | |
| 13 | Just Da Pimpin' In Me | |
| 14 | I Checks My Bank |
You should know by now, I'm not afraid to pick up some corny albums every now and then, especially if its only a buck ninety-nine. I was a big Mix-A-Lot fan, even after "Baby Got Back", but I never bought another of his albums after hearing this one. To be fair, even Mix himself has said in interviews that he dropped the ball on making this album. Listening to it now, I realize its not as horrible as I thought it was back then, and for $1.99 I'm okay with that.
10/28/2008
Positive K - The Gentleman, The Rapper; Courtesy of Ain't It Good To You
A NIIIIIIICE collection of early Positive K tracks. Not officially a "lost" album, but dope none the less. I've always been a big Pos K fan, as I am with nearly all the early First Priority Family Releases, so this is a must for fans of that label.
BIG thanks to DJ DEE-VILLE from Ain't It Good To You
Read about the whole thing at his blog http://aintitgoodtoyou.blogspot.com/2008/10/positive-k-lost-first-priority-album.html
Positive-K - The lost 1988 First Priority Album
http://www.sendspace.com/file/2o0f82
Superstar Quamallah - California Dreaming Video
The man Superstar Quamallah is back with a video from the dope 7inch single from Cotter Records. "California Dreaming", is a dope track and now has a dope single. You can pick up (I think) the single from Cotter Records (Vinyl only) from the myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/cotterrecords
You can also WIN a free copy from WYDU today, as part of our three year celebration. Simply fire me off an email to be put in the drawing to WYDUBLOGL@gmail.com and that will enter you into the drawing. Please email me by 11pm MST Wed Oct 29th. And remember, this is a 7 inch VINYL release.
Good luck!!!!
Nueve Hip Hop Vol 17
01 K-Murdock & Nueve- Intro
02 Black Milk Feat. Royce 5 9- Losing Out
03 Statik Selektah Feat. Little Brother, Joe Scudda & Chaundon- On The Marquee
04 Reef The Lost Cauze- I Wonder
05 Butta Verses Feat. Joell Ortiz- Rock Mics
06 Evidence Feat. Phonte, Blu & Will.I.Am- For Whom The Bell Tolls
07 Big Shug- Bring It Back
08 The P Brothers Feat. Roc Marciano- Outta Control
09 East Coast Avengers Feat. Termanology & Apathy- Vengeance
10 K. Sparks- Ambition
11 U-N-I Feat. Big Pooh, Evidence, Aloe Blacc, Mickey Factz, Fashawn, Theo & Kes Kaos- Beautiful Day (Remix)
12 Saigon- Bad Mind
13 Statik Selektah Feat. Skyzoo, Joell Ortiz & Talib Kweli- Talkin Bout You (Ladies)
14 Jake One Feat. Little Brother- Bless The Child
15 Critical Feat. Lil Vic- Whatcha Say
16 Incise Feat. Tunji- True Greatness
17 Q-Tip Feat. D'Angelo- Believe
18 Statik Selektah Feat. Torae, Sha Stimuli & Jon Hope- Destined To Shine
19 88 Keys Feat. Evidence, Rakaa, Aceyalone & The Alchemist- Fresh Rhymes & Video Tape Anthem
20 Black Milk Feat. Pharoah Monch, Sean P & DJ Premier- The Matrix
21 Heltah Skeltah- Ruck N Roll
22 Nueve Outro
10/27/2008
Inbox Goodies
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Heltah Skeltah "So Damn Tuff" Video Featuring Buckshot & Ruste Juxx
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Online Hip Hop Video Show...Nostylegia
After finally finding the time to sit down and watch this new show brought to you by One Time 4 Your Mind (1X4 Your Mind) and Antonio Starr, this is pretty dope. For those of you that miss the Yo! MTV Raps days, this is one of the closer things I've seen as far as a video show in awhile. They are well worth your time and checking out if you are into the old school videos and the such. Titled Nostylegia, the show is, well, just that, a video show focusing on the old school flavor that I know I love, and by the amount of bitching that comes when I post up new material too much, a lot of you do too. So check it out......
Show details:
Title: NostyleGia (pronounced Nostalgia)
Airs: Every Thursday 2pm LIVE! On www.mogulus.com/uan
Host: Antonio Starr
from Antonio:
Everyone knows that I am the biggest fan of Hip Hop and try my best to school whoever wants to learn about the Golden Era of Hip Hop. Kanye sent a message on Twitter about doing what you loved and while I always have, it’s time for me to take it to another level. From my mind and then to my garage comes the new show NoStyleGia (play on the word Nostalgia) which will be my vehicle of bringing more exclusive content similar to what I have posted on my blog 1x4yourmind.com (which have garnered over 1 million hits around the web). The show will be a throwback concept of the classic Yo! And Rap City episodes from the late 80’s into the mid 90’s. I will be going on location to different spots to shoot shows with some of the pioneers of Hip Hop as well as Dj’s and Producers who helped solidify rap music back then. You will also get that R&B videos like Mona Lisa, Total, Horace Grant and so forth. Trust me the show is going to be dope and it will debut tomorrow 10/16/2008 on my online television station www.mogulus.com/uan (had to push date back one day for technical reasons) with a version on Vimeo as well.
Promo:
NoStyleGia Video Show promo from Antonio Starr on Vimeo.
Episode One:
NoStyleGia from Antonio Starr on Vimeo.
Episode Two:
Nostylegia episode 2 from Antonio Starr on Vimeo.
This or That....Masta Ace Wk 2: Disposable Arts Vs. A Long Hot Summer
Last Week:
It went according to plan, as Slaughtahouse was unanimously voted the winner over Sittin' On Chrome. It wasn't even close. I wasn't surprise that Slaughtahouse won, but I was kind of surprised by the large margin. You won't hear me complaining though.
This Week:
After Sittin' On Chrome faded off into the sunset, we didn't hear much from Masta Ace. He would sign to Big Beat and was set to release an album in 1997, but Big Beat would end up folding and the album would be shelved. It was during this time Ace reportedly thought about hangin' it up, but changed his mind after he decided he didn't want Sittin' On Chrome to be his lasting mark on hip hop. Soon, he would be releasing 12 inch singles on an array of different labels. Around the the fall of 98 or spring of 99, I would be up in Salt Lake City's "Hip Hop Shop" when I would run into a Masta Ace vinyl single, "Cars" b/w "Keep Livin' ", which I would buy right then and there on the spot, and I didn't even own a turntable at that time. By the time I would start getting into the depths of the internet, I would discover that there were several more Ace singles that had been released, most of which appear on the Hits U Missed Vol. 1 (which also has a few tracks that were slated to appear on the ill-fated Big Beat release).
By the time 2000 rolled around, it was reported he was working on an album for Yosumi/JCOR that was to drop in 2001. Of course, I was pretty excited. I didn't know what to expect, but from that first listen to Disposable Arts on the way home from the CD store, I know it was something special.
Disposable Arts Vs. A Long Hot Summer
Disposable Arts
Ace's second album (Slaughtahouse) and third album (Sittin' On Chrome) were both loosely structured concept albums. He has always tied his albums together, and Disposable Arts would really get deep as far as the concepts go. Ace does a good job tying the story together through the songs and the well done skits. Toward the end of the album, the concept kind of comes unraveled, but for the
At the start of the album, we hear our hero leaving the Penitentiary. He has been locked up for five years, for what, we are not sure (at least if you haven't heard A Long Hot Summer). After having the guard flip him shit, the song jumps into "Too Long", featuring the dope Apocalypse. The smooth strings embed themselves in the hard drums as Ace drops sets up the tone of the album. He scolds the new cats out there trying to take his place and forgetting him and those that came before them. The track really sets the mood for the whole album, one of somberness, but also with packets of excitement mixed in.
It jumps immediately into "Block Episode", with 3/4's of the future eMC crew, Ace, Punch and Words. The three tale a story of one of the many unfortunate episodes that happen on Ace's block. Again, the production is on par, with strings galore, including an ill Spanish guitar loop, that really kicks the track into the upper atmosphere. Punch comes on as the thug trying to recoup on a debt, and while firing some warning shots, he hits an innocent bystander. That bystander is a 4.0 GPA student (played by Words) and athlete who is going to Harvard. And the fucked up ending has him dying in a traffic jam. This all sets up the next skit, which we first hear for IDA, the Institute for Disposable Arts. That offers Associate Degrees in everything from MCing, DJing, to "Shiesty Label Guy", "A&R Bitch N---a", or "Halved Ass Producer" (business must be popping IDA lately)....get your freak on bitch....
It's this humor and excitement that kicks into the Greg Nice hook track "Don't Understand". Produced by the EXTREMELY underrated Paul Nice, the party starting track jumps in your face with a bouncy type of beat, thanks to a modified bass line. Of course any track with Greg Nice is going to be a must at any party. It's a track such as this is what I've always felt Ace was the best at doing. It's somewhat of a cross between what you might have heard on Take A Look Around and the singles we had been hearing from him. Ace also starts to let loose on the memorable lines and verses that are associated with Disposable Arts.
I make rap music, for hip hop kids
Y'all know what it is when I get biz with this
Flows thats hard enough it could hit your kids with this
Thugs walk through Queensbridge with this
Italian cats drive through Bay Ridge with this
Pump it in they IROC, your block to my block
I make hits like Chuck Knoblauch
But don't make no error or get it confused
You'll find yourself gettin abused, you fittin' to lose
I'mma send this out to everybody
Every nigga, every chick, every person up in every party
For all the shorties in the tight denim
And all the hood rats gettin' jealous startin to start a fight wit' em
And to the D's in the black Taurus
Loadin' up the lead in the clip put a gat for us (echos) for us
Never being overly crazy about "Every Day", it's one of the songs that originally I would skip over. It wasn't until the day of the first Masta Ace show I would go to, I was riding the train to school on a Saturday, getting some studying for an up coming Calc test I had coming up on Monday. This popped up on my headphones and after actually giving it a chance (I had been skipping over it rather religiously for the past four years), I realized it wasn't all that bad. I heard it in a new light, I guess.
The comedic relief of MC Paul Barman pops up as Ace's roommate at the dorms of IDA. Paul plays the part of white wannabe to the "t", as Ace is wondering if he has the right room or not. This jumps into another of the upper echelon tracks from D.A. "Take A Walk", which Ace leads us through the Get-Go. A well placed sample is the basis for the track, as Ace brings in Apocalypse again, as the two rhyme about the ills of the ghetto. As I said, this track is made by the sample (name is escaping me right now), talking about the blue skies and sunshine. The next track is probably my favorite, which is due to the fact that everyone involved on the rhyme tip simple brought it. Ace, Strick, and Young Zee kill their parts. I think this was my first introduction to Strick, who had an appearance on Tommy Boys Hip Hop 101 Black Album, which I didn't pay much attention to, but this cat got me excited to hear a solo album from him, which I'm still waiting for:
Yo, last night I had a nightmare that I was wack
Nope, I'm sorry, it's that you said something dope
Fuck it, it don't matter, 'cause I know shit ain't really like that
'Cause if you said something dope, I know somebody else probably had to write that
You on the wrong song an' I'm on the right track
I hit the cypher, and you bounce talkin' 'bout "Strick, I'll be right back!"
What the fuck you comin' back for?
I pulled up to the front of the club and hurried and scurried up out the back door
Just in time 'fore your ass got a cracked jaw
Made 'cause I stack more, and what the Lakers sign Shaq for?
Incredible rhymer, what the hell am I sell crack for?
I'm real, you a ac-tor,
I'm hot, you just not a fac-tor
You on some bound to do, I'm on some already done shit
I'll burn you with the same light you just lit up your blunt wit'
And I don't came wit' the style you probably 'bout to come wit'
You the opposite of smart feces, get it? Dumb shit
Couldn't give a fuck who you run wit' Or them niggas you 'bout to go get
Matter of fact, go get 'em, you'll just be layin' on the floor wit' 'em
Lookin' up at me talkin' 'bout: "Why you let the fo-fo hit 'em?
I really don't know these niggas, I just did a show wit' 'em
Went back to the telly and I hit a couple of hoes wit' em
Met 'em at the studio an' just spit a couple of flows wit' 'em
Bought a bag of dro and just sat back and got high wit' 'em"
Oh yeah, that's good to know, now you 'bout to die wit' 'em
Head straight to the pearly gate, say hi to the big guy wit' 'em
Or take it to that other level, down with the devil and fly wit' 'em
Grumble and groan, piss and moan, boo-hoo and cry wit' 'em
At least go home and tell his momma bye bye wit' 'em (bye, momma)
'Cause duke, I'm the hottest nigga on earth right now
And bust my gun in nine months 'bout to give birth right now
Run all up in a nigga hood and take his turf right now
Nothing's what your life is worth right now
I've been in shit for too long, it's about time I burst
A & R's ready to quit 'cause they ain't find me first
Record labels ready to shut down 'cause they ain't sign me first
So let me stop right now 'cause I know y'all niggas be dieing to be writing my verse
An' lay motherfuckers down just like the pain of a cramp
I won't stop 'til I see my name and my face on a stamp
And y'all still won't be able to stick me or fuck wit' me
I'm 'bout to leave my mark on this game like a buck fifty
Took shots but I duck swiftly, you just missed me
Fuck Alice, ????, Norton and fuck Trixie
I'ma fuck like it's my honeymoon 'til I touch sixty
You ain't a thug so don't try to get tough with me
If you think about tryna hit me, you'll get snuffed quickly
Deep down, hate Bobby Brown, but love Whitney
At times I wish it was O.J and the glove fit me
Then I wouldn't have to hear none of you wack niggas
Talk about how your crew's rich and you stack figures
In my hand's a chrome gun with a black trigger
I know you think your shit's big, but I pack bigger
Just ask your wife, 'cause I blasted her pipes
If I tell Strick to pass me a knife would you ask for your life?
You's a pussy, I can tell by your song
Homo/thug rapper, I can tell by your thong
Got sugar in your tank, you probably shit syrup
The world's about to see what it is when I hit Europe
And when I come back on for my birthday
I'ma do another video, too explicit to play
And following up the rear, the Outsidaz, Young Zee, comes with a verse that doesn't look all that great on paper, but his delivery and style is second to none. I've long loved this verse as Zee is one of my favorite MCs to ever grace the mic. More Zee in the future would make my view on hip hop much better:
I take out pretty boys wearin' shades
Or thug niggas with they hair in braids
Then fuck yo' girl through that thing she wearing
Get her pregnant to leave that bitch a single parent
Got mad cars, you probably apin' in a Jaguar
Drunk at Justin's, while you hang out at a fag bar
cared at jail, but at home you tryna rob
When you got inside you got sodomized by a lotta guys
Girls pile up in Young Zee room
I fucked the wives of about twenty grooms on they honeymoons
We had a check sellin' bottles of rock
An' so much dope came we re-modeled the spot
That's why y'all cats spittin' ??????????
See you grinnin' when I stop and the rims keep spinnin'
Fuck with Zee I'll bash ya face
I'll fucks wit' {*scratches*} Masta Ace, bitch
To let me hear my name mention, try'na gain attention
Now I'm runnin' through this game lynchin'
And I heard a few cats tryna take shots on the low
These XFL rappers tryna fuck with a real pro
One thing; who named y'all the High and the Mighty?
To me, ya'll just sound like a couple of High Whities
Next comes an artist who was a thorn in his side, Boogieman (where is he now?). Boogie was pissed about Ace doing a song entitled "Ghetto Like", which he said stole his concept for a song he did himself. He would drop a dis track toward Ace, entitled "Just You Wait". The two would meet up at the Lyricist Lounge and battled, which even Ace admits Boogiemann won. He covers the whole situation later on the album on "Dear Diary". Ace would get the last laugh, as he slices, dices and purees the Boogiemann:
And I found out that he was as fake as a tooth-fairy
Since my last mission this nigga's been ass-kissing
I took a minute, I gave your single a fast listen
Tell me this, no pot to piss in? How you dissin'
You group holmes are about to report that you missing
And I don't know who was worse, the track or the verse
I'ma get to your producer, but I'm smacking you first
See I couldn't even find one nigga that heard of you
I did find a few cats that wanted to murder you
But I told 'em "Chill", I let 'em know you was my son
And I promise I can pay support to you twenty-one
Consider me the clothes on your back and a warm meal
Who knows, this might just get you a deal
And the day that your album go on sale for the first hour
Just remember like Nas nigga, +I Gave You Power+
I figured I give ya some help, cause you need lots
I make your producer change his name to Speed Nottz
Tell him I say "Fuck him!" for doing the tracks
Matter of fact, fuck Fat Beats, for doing the wax
I'ma diss you via e-mail and then through a fax
I'ma diss you by two-way, I ain't gon' never relax
I'ma diss you over fast, slow track or no track
If your shit wasn't so wack, I dissed you to yo' track
You that little fish that I catch and I throw back
And by the way, give 50 Cent his flow back
You that cat in the club that get hit with a bottle
Fuckin' with me? You better off trying to hit lotto
And don't answer back, this is hard shit to follow
And you can't spit nigga, so you obviously must swallow, motherfucker..
It's at this point where, in my opinion, the album, both as a concept and as a piece of whole work, kind of loses it's focus. "Enuff" is decent enough, but not up to par with anything else that we have heard up to this point. That's the problem with most of the next few songs, "Alphabet Soup", "Unfriendly Game", "Dear Yvette", "I Like Dat", and "P.T.A." (which I figured would be great, with two of my west coast favorites, King Tee & J-Ro) are all good tracks, but just not on the same quality as the ones preceding them.
It's not until we get to the last two songs, "Dear Diary" and "No Regrets" that things get back on the high level that we heard on the first half of the album. Both tracks are two of the most self exposing and vulnerable hip hop songs we'll probably ever hear. In a world of gats, bitches, and MCs bragging about how many chick they bang, Ace exposes all his insecurities in "Dear Diary", talking about the Lyricist Lounge battle, how he might be perceived in the industry and other topics. "No Regrets" was supposed to be Ace's swan song, the song that wrapped up his career. As we know, it didn't happen that way, but it's still a heartfelt song.....
A Long Hot Summer
By the time A Long Hot Summer dropped, I was active on one of the few hip hop related boards I visit much, mastaace.com. It was on there that I learned that Ace was going to be dropping another album, something that we had all be hoping for was coming to reality. The anticipation began to grow and by this time (2004), things were already leaking on the internet, and of course, I was faced with the choice of waiting until the album dropped in stores, or give into the suspense and give it an early listen. Never one being good at waiting, I broke down to the temptation and listen to the album early. What I heard was an album that was equally as good, if not better than Disposable Arts. At least that was my thoughts after my first few initial listens.
Once again, Ace brings a concept to the album. If you were a fan of Disposable Arts, it ends up being an interesting twist to the story found on D.A. It was a prequal, Star Wars style. Things jump off further in the story, with Ace and his boy, Fats Belvedere in a hotel room with a grip of cash and someone knocking on the door. We soon find out how and why Ace's character was in that room. The first track, "Big City", picks right up where Disposable Arts ends off at. Backed by a wicked Dug Infinite beat, Ace rides the acoustic canvas effortlessly as he speaks on the hustle of coming up in the Big Apple.
Following the albums jump off track is the projects first single, "Good Ole Love". When I first heard about this track, I was pretty excited. At this point in time, 9th Wonder, who was doing no wrong in my book at this time, crafted an excellently executed beat. The strings and the vocal sample gave it that somber "on the come up" type of vibe that Ace conveys in his lyrics:
Uptown Bronx and them crooks in Queens
I work like a maid when she cooks and cleans
Cuz it's about to be a wrap from the looks of things
The game is changed, the game is strange
The game is lame and it ain't the same
But that's how it is, you can ask Giz
You can ask Biz, we did it for the kids
Listen here, this is different here
If you got an eye for detail and efficient ear
I won't disappear, I'ma keep on givin'
I'ma keep on livin', I'ma keep bein' driven
I'm down to earth and I'm close to ground
And spit shit better than most around
This how hip hop is supposed to sound
Tear them other cats' posters down now
Looking back at it, I'm not sure if the track was the best choice for the lead off single, but it accomplished what Ace wanted and built the buzz for the album.
The first half of the album is near flawless, and after Fats comes on and explains his hustle and how Ace's character plays into it, we jump into possibly the best track found on A Long Hot Summer and the albums second single, "Da Grind". Produced by another Justus League beatsmith, Khrysis, the mellow beat sets a fat pitch down the middle of the plate. Armed with a wicked string sample, the beat is one of those that gets stick in your head and won't leave like an unwanted guest. Ace and his homie Apocalypse discuss how hard it is to earn your living in the rap game, and just life in general. This track should be everyone's daily song before they head out to their 9 to 5 that the dislike. I know it's crossed my mind a few times on the way to the grind. Sometimes Ace gets criticized for his hooks, but he did the track well with this hook:
Still got my money on my mind
And I, feel like I'm walking on the line
And it, seems like I'm running out of time
That's why I'm always on the grind
The soulful "H.O.O.D.", brings that happy go-lucky sound as Ace brings "it ain't all bad", despite the shortcomings found in the hoods all around the world. This is what appeals Ace to so many people, he has always come off as the cat you would see walking down the block, that cat who your brother hangs out with, or the dude that is friends with your boy. He just brings that feeling to his tracks, and "H.O.O.D." is a perfect example of that.
The track that contains one of my favorite beats of all times pops up on the scene, as Ace tells the listener to see the good in the ugly on "Beautiful". Unknown Croatian producer, Kool Ade brings a sparse piano and a beautiful synth sample to the the forefront as Ace delivers his "Glass Half Full" message that has helped me in some tough spots. It was also the b-side to "Good Ole Love" on the first single and also was a little different, with no adlibs over the hooks. The message found on this track is one of positivity, without sounding all preachy:
This is the Yankees, 10-nothin', killin' the Sox
This ain't huggin' the block wit' a gat in ya hand
This is Boca Raton on the Catamaran (that's right)
With the sun beamin' down while you sat in the sand
I feel like I'm more than a cat wit' a plan
This feels like it's more than a flash in the pan
This is milk in the cup and cash in ya hand
This is a warm coat on the coldest night
That's why I stole this mic, y'all don't hold this right (nope)
First in a class of many
This is a bottle of Jack and a glass of Henny (that's right)
Now drink it up 'til there ain't nothin' left in it
I'm reppin' it, BK, that's a definite
There's more of these amazing rhymes
A song like this in these days and times is beautiful
In a move that almost makes you chuckle, we go from positivity, uplifting, full of happiness, find the rainbow in the rain shower type of shit, to the "I hate you", shit sucks, everybody die steez of "F.A.Y.", which has also been used as a theme song of mine over the years. The ever impressive Strick comes on the assist Ace as the both scream, "fuck all y'all", more than once. Frustration will cause even the most positive person to screw those three words, and after a bad day, this song will serve that purpose quite well.
The story progresses as Fats and Ace meet to discuss a "business venture", before they do talk about it, Ace goes to get a soda and some soap for Fats, which leads into a fan favorite of "Soda & Soap". Produced by the talented DJ Spinna and backed by Jean Grae, who had an impressive showing on "Hold U" from Disposable Arts. I've never been crazy about the song, but I know a lot of you will disagree. An interesting guest appearance from Big Noyd blesses the next track, but it actually works rather well. "Do It Man" was a track that I would have considered my favorite at one time. Marco Polo brings the heat with his own trademarked sound, and serves as a the rough and rugged Brooklyn streets anthem.
Ace brings a track that, to me, is the same vien as "Bonita Applebum", "Ms. Fat Booty" and other ghetto love tales in "Brooklyn Masala", which ironically enough features Ace's own wifey on the tracks adlibs. Over a spacey, airy beat, Ace spits a story about meeting a middle eastern cutie while coming out of the bodega. He spits game to the cutie and ends up taking her out for a date. Nothing like a little bodega love story to add to the story.
We find out what the scheming Fats Belvedere wants, as he hits up Ace about going on tour with him as a cover for some shit he has going on, involving credit cards and the such. After Ace sees into the plan and Ace offers up some tokens of appreciation, in the name of a big screen TV, Ace is down. This jumps into the Punch and Words assisted "Travelocity", which I've never saw anything breathtaking about. "The Ways" is the next track and is produced by DJ Ody-Roc. Another solid track that adds to the story, but again, nothing more than a good track. This leads into the track that is making me eagerly await the recently announced A&E project, between Ace and Edo G. "Wutuwankno", has the two grizzled veterans bringing out the best in each other. They spit game over a beautifully produced Dug Infinte beat, discussing the way it is and their place in the game. The chorus is sung by Ace, who does a fine job at it and it is also probably the reason I dig the song so much.As the story goes on, Ace and Fats get busted and Ace ends up in the clink. The final two songs, the Beatnuts assisted "Oh My God" which surprises the listener that it isn't a Beatnuts beat. It's nice, but somewhat unnecessary, albeit, this is probably the only song that would fall into that category. The end of the album "Revelations", is Ace's answer to "Dear Diary" and "No Regrets" found on Disposable Arts. It's heartfelt, but doesn't really match the two previously mentioned songs. If it came before, I'm sure it would be the one everyone talked about four years later.
The Verdict
I've long debated this very subject in my head when I'm bored at work or day dreaming in class, or avoiding looking at homework. For the past four years, I've gone back and forth over which is my favorite album of the two. A Long Hot Summer is executed better as an overall concept, the songs fit the story and vice versa. There is not too many skits, the ones there are humorous and not automatic fast forward fodder after a few listens. The album as a whole is a better overall piece of work. The production might be considered better overall, and the whole thing is just a strong album. So then I'm picking A Long Hot Summer then, right? It's not that easy. While ALHS is a probably a better overall album with little or no weak links in it, it just doesn't contain those tracks that make you go "WOW" and rewind. Yes, "Good Ole Love", "Big City", "Da Grind", and "Beautiful" are all tracks that are classic tracks in my Stan like way of thinking, but I'm not sure they are on the same par as "Dear Diary", "Too Long", "Block Episode", "Don't Understand", "Acknowledge", "Hold U", "Something's Wrong", and "Take a Walk", all of those tracks I probably favor over anything found on A Long Hot Summer. So what is it? The all or nothing, homerun swings of Disposable Arts, or the well crafted, four for four game of A Long Hot Summer? In the end of it all, I'm going to with the fireworks and Disposable Arts, by a narrow margin, after all, chicks dig the long ball.
Winner:
Disposable Arts
