Rapology.org

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:

Camel Walk

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

The release of Angry Black Man On An Elevator from Rhymefest’s upcoming album El Che couldn’t have come with more perfect timing.  I’ve had this post brewing for some time now.

Several months ago, I read with great disappointment that Rhymefest was working with Lil’ John on the new album. Aside from Lil’ John’s signature interjections of “What!” and “Yeah!”, I’m pleasantly suprised. I will withhold any further judgement until the rest of the album is out. I’m curious to hear what other fans think about it though.

Angry Black Man On An Elevator

Rhymefest is my favorite rapper. Discovering his debut release Blue Collar marked the day I really started paying close attention to hip-hop. This was the day I went from hip hop fan to fanatic. Since then, it has become a Tuesday morning ritual for me to sample the week’s new releases, and spend some time perusing blogs and artist/label websites for news of upcoming releases and side projects.

A Chi-town native, Rhymfest got his start as a freestyle battle rapper. He signed his first record deal with Allido in 2003. Blue Collar would follow in July of 2006.

I was drawn to Rhymefest’s voice, and the plush musical elements of his tracks immediately. I would even go so far as to call them songs. I liked his politics and aversion to rappin’ about cash, money, hoes. This was a polished album, from start to end.

Fever
Brand New
All Girls Cheat
Devil’s Pie

Unbeknownst to many, Rhymefest hatched and co-wrote Kanye West’s monumental track “Jesus Walks”.  

Jesus Walks - Original Rhymefest Version

Some other Rhymefest tracks and collaborations of note:

Wanted
Yard 2 Yard - Consequence Ft. Rhymefest
Bang the Ball - Dan the Automator Ft. Rhymefest

I know that there is a lot of music to digest in this post, but it will be well worth your time. I will make Rhymefest fans out of you yet!

Dear beloved readers,

I think about you every day.

I’ve been working so many hours that I just haven’t had it in me to write good music posts for you.  Well, that and the latest new releases in hip hop have been crap. I’m just writing to tell you that I think I see a light at the end of the tunnel, that I have lots of good posts in the works, and that I’ll be back shortly.

Have some tasty tracks to tide you over.

Jeff n’ Fess - DJ Jazzy Jeff Ft. Rhymefest
Hit That - M.I.A. (brand spankin’ new folks!)

love and guns,
-e

Today was a big day in new music releases with Bjork, Travis, Dj Jazzy Jeff, and Sage Francis (to name a few) all puting out albums. So far, most of it disappoints, including the long awaited Sage Francis album, Human the Death Dance.

The one that really caught my attention was DJ Kentaro’s new release, Enter. The 16 track debut album features artists Pharcyde and Spank Rock, among some others less notable.

Personally, I enjoy the standalone tracks more. The beats are blunt and chaotic, but it all comes together in the end.

solo:
One Hand Blizzard - this is the roller, so turn it up.
Enter the Newground
Grateful To You

collabs:
Keep On - featuring the Pharcyde
Free - featuring Spank Rock

I have to admit that I’m one of those hip hop fans that likes hooks.  Tracks that are all flow and no hook tend to lose my attention quickly, unless the artist has a unique ryhthm to their lyric. 

Atmosphere grabbed me because they’re brats.  Comprised of Slug, Ant, Spawn and Mr. Dibbs, formed in Minneapolis in 1994, these guys have already got six LPs under their belt. The content ranges from comical to political.

The Bass and the Movement
The Jackpot/Swept Away

Some lyrics from the Jackpot:

I gotta pay the phone bill, scrape off the roadkill, hold still
here’s another girl acting like king of the mole hill.
Yo step with stride i got this pet named pride
and i’ma-hide him in my pocket til the day that i die
now i got this pet peeve that i only let out to eat
poked hole on the top of the jar so he can breath
and when he’s old enough i will set him free and let him breed,
teach his kids how to build bombs and shoot speed.
true indeed i’m all about the lines around the block
the good times hiphop and writing rhymes about my cock
so fuck the world fuck love fuck man and you
i hope you drown face down in your dandruff shampoo

This is possibly one of the coolest songs I’ve ever heard:

Do

 Thanks for the recommendation Justin!

 More on Moka Only to follow.

When I think underground hip hop, I think of Da Beatminerz.   Their sound is raw, gritty, tough.  You wouldn’t want beef with these guys.

Hatched in Brooklyn in 1992, the duo put themselves on the map as producers for acts such as Black Star, Eminem and De La Soul. Their debut album, Brace for Impak, arrived in 2001. The album I’m featuring here, Fully Loaded w/ Statik, followed in 2004.

It Ain’t Enough - featuring Wordsworth & Last Emperor
Mafia Don - featuring Last Emperor