OK. Settle down Erin. Deep breaths.
Holy mother of god the new Talib Kweli album is good! I need some time to assess it as a whole, but ya’ll have got to hear the goods now. It can’t wait another minute. this is the real thing. this is hip hop.
Say Something - ft Jean Grae
Niggas Lie Alot
Listen - This was released as a single last summer
Hot Thing
Murs is a natural born MC out of Mid-City, Los Angeles. I have several of his releases in my collection, but have only become intimately familiar with 3:16, the album he did with producer 9th Wonder. Aside from seven full length albums, he has also collaborated with artists such as El-P, Aesop Rock, Little Brother, Z-Trip and People Under the Stairs.
Since I haven’t spent a lot of time listening to Murs yet, I can’t give you a good description of his style. What I can tell you thus far is that he is a clever comic, and genuine in his lyric. Murs ain’t fuckin’ around, yo.
You & I - stellar track from The End of the Beginning
Bad Man - from Murs & 9th Wonder: 3:16, the 9th Edition
I’ve been on a girlie kick lately. Pop/R&B is a guilty pleasure of mine. I didn’t want to admit it at first, but I really like the new Rihanna album. Shhh, I’m a closet fan of slow jamz too.
I thought it was time to give you an idea of what I think is good r&b. My taste for this genre is rather transient, but some elements I look for are beats that make me want to move, plush baselines, and good vocal harmonies I can sing along with.
These are some of my favorites as of late.
Umbrella - Rihanna
Like This - Kelly Rowland
Rehab - Rihanna
Deja Vu - Beyonce
I’ve got more hip-hop for you coming in the next few days. In the mean time, for your amusement:
This is one of my favorite songs eVAR.
I knew that Little Brother and the Foreign Exchange were connected. Imagine my suprise when I started digging a bit and found an incenstuous network of some of my favorite hip hop artists/producers all related to the project in some way. I could make several posts out of what I’ve learned.
The Foreign exchange is Phonte (of Little Brother) with Producer Nicolay. Apparently they found eachother on a message board and began working together without having met. Their first full length album, Connected, was released in 2004. Sometime later this year, they will release a second album, rumored to be called Leave it all Behind.
I’m drawn to the soulful, lyrical nature of these songs. The beats are tight, the words inspiring, and the singing absolutely beautiful. My personal favorite is the first track, All That You Are.
All That You Are
Be Alright - Nicolay’s Easybreezy Sunday Afternoon Remix
Raw Life
Soul Position is the pairing of RJD2 and Blueprint. This collaboration, as well as their own solo work, is released under the Rhymesayers Entertainment label along with other notable artists MF Doom, Atmosphere and Brother Ali.
I downloaded their 2006 release, Things Go Better With RJ and AL, a few weeks ago. While I’m not crazy about the album as a whole, there are a few tracks that really grabbed me. It is obvious in both of the tracks posted below that they are the work of RJD2. I love the muddy brass, and the lyrics Blueprint lays down over them.
Hand-Me-Downs
Keep It Hot For Daddy
For comparison, here is a solo track from each artist.
Ring Finger - RJD2
Lo-Fi Funk - Blueprint Ft. Aesop Rock
