Note: This wasn’t included in the first version since it was meant to be used for a print mag. Turns out they didn’t run it anyway!
You know how there’s always a guy you know who just never stops talking when you’re trying to enjoy a beer and annoy some dames? KRS-One is sort of like that, except he usually says something worth hearing – either because it’s so spot-on, or just completely bananas. Sometimes it’s a combination of the two. When I got the chance to pick at his brain to celebrate the release of his new album with former rival Marley Marl (as well celebrate twenty years of releasing music) we covered a number of topics, but it was one question in particular that seemed to really spark his interest. So much so, that it took-up half of the interview. But given that race is always a hot topic in America, it’s only right that one of hip-hop’s most outspoken and articulate representatives has the chance to speak his piece.
Robbie: What are your feelings on Russell “Rush” getting on Bill O’Reilly and apologizing to him? Talking about banning words – it seems kind of ironic considering he used to sell dust and promoted all kinds of ignorant Def Jam artists, and suddenly he wants to be holier-than–thou. What are your thoughts on that situation? (more…)
Anyone who’s been reading Unkut Dot Com for a while will have noticed that New York rap gets a pretty much exclusive coverage. That’s not to say that I don’t appreciate any hip-hop made outside of the Tri-state area though. A lot of great stuff was produced in LA pre-Chronic, while early to mid Rap-A-Lot is also classic material – basically, anything made before the “keyboard/live funk” era of beat-making. Since Unkut Dot Com is essentially “A Tribute To Ignorance”, now seems as good a time as any to change gears and focus some attention on some epic ignorant rap. (more…)
On paper, this is a bad idea. Legendary Lyricist Percee-P heading out West to get his Madvillain on? At the same time, it’s moronic to dismiss the first real album from the guy who gave us “Lung Collapsing Lyrics” and stole the show on “Yes You May”, so I attempted to shrug-off any preconceived ideas about how this project might turn out. The result? Good and terrible. With all due respect, I can admit that Madlib has made some great tracks over the years – but he’s also made a bunch of horrible shit. Luckily, he’s delivered the closest thing to a “conservative” Madlib production since the Lootpack album on most songs, and has employed some dusty drums for the Rhyme Inspector to get loose over.
The main problem lies in the fact that many of the verses here are either old or reworked bars which were probably written to “Funky Drummer”, and as such just don’t seem to slot in all that well over the blunted bomb shelter sound. On a couple of occasions, you might be forgiven for thinking you’re listening to some sloppy, homemade “blend” CD that some stoner has done on his laptop. When it all gels together, though, there are still some great moments for longtime Perc fans. “Man To Praise” lays down his extended history in the rap game, “Legendary Lyricist” is straight-up raw raps and drums (complete with some quality pimp talk), while “The Lady Behind Me” offers a sincere take on the tried-and-trusted “love for a woman as a metaphor hip-hop” scenario. But for every winning moment, there are two that lose. Appearances from pretentious windbag Aesop Rock and one of the Jurrassic 5 guys may induce nausea, and the less said about the mess that is “Raw Heat”, the better. (more…)
Unkut Dot Com‘s New York connect Idris Intifada just filed his report on the recent Rock The Bells show:
When I first heard about the monster line up set for the Rock the Bells tour, I immediately thought, I’m going to get myself a ticket. This thought began to flee when the tickets sold out faster than Myka Nine’s flow and were consequently being sold on eBay for hundreds of dollars. I then concluded that this would be one concert I missed. That is until my homegirl (I see you Andalusia!) hooked me up with the free entrance.
I want to linger on the subject of prices for a little longer, if I may. Firstly, all you rich frat-rock Rage fans played yourself by paying hundreds of dollars for tickets on eBay, when cats were slinging tickets for 20 dollars outside. Secondly, shout out to the Harlem hustler who was charging frat rockers 10 dollars to cross the bridge into Randall’s Island. I can’t at all knock him! Lastly and most importantly, Rocksteady’s yearly free festival, that has always been dope with loads of fresh indie acts, has been displaced from Manhattan like everything else that has poor or ethnic roots in the island of crime. All the while, the high profiting and Coke sponsored Rock The Bells tour sat comfortably in gentrified New York City.
It ain’t no mystery that keyboard beats are pretty much the worst development in rap music in recent times, and even the great KGR has found some of his verbal gems wasted on inferior productions. Here’s a look at the worst six offenders:
A few new things from the Bronx Bombers….just heard six cuts from the next Show & AG project. Show is rocking more samples than his recent stripped-down minimalist beats and AG is sounding good, so hopefully the finished product will help erase the mental scarring I’m still carrying from hearing the solo thing The Giant did with all those shit-brick LA guys…
Speaking of Madlib, he continues to make more annoying shit than winners, and if this track from the Percee-P album is any indication, I think I’ll stick to “Kickin’ Flavor Wit My Man”. That has to the fifth track I’ve heard him flip same verse. Did Perc stop writing new verses when the nineties ended or something?
Diamond D, who at some stage transformed from the “best producer on the mic” to a big ballin’ tough guy called D-Squizzy (not that I’m complaining), has released two street CD’s in recent years. Continuing the 45 King action I thought I’d throw this Mark James produced joint up. Not sure if he’s got any new stuff in the pipeline though.
OC featured a slick song with Sadat X at the end of his Hidden Jewels CD, with any luck his My Soul To Keep album that’s due later this year will be more on that tip than Smoke and Mirrors, which wasn’t doing much for me in terms of music.
Shot courtesy of 
Shot courtesy of 
