New Hip Hop and Webber
I've heard two very important songs recently -- surprisingly on the radio down here in Orlando.
Styles "I'm Black"
Common (featuring the Last Poets) "Corner"
The Styles joint is not just a banger, it's a message. A message in the true sense of the word. I see it becoming the noveau "I'm Black and I'm Proud", except less of a social-political mantra likes James' was and more of an embrace of culture.
If radios don't put that in heavy rotation then shame on them, because the beat is hot -- similar to "I Get High", only in this case its a beat that triumphant, the tempo and the arrangement keep your head noddin the way you do when you nod in approvement -- and the song content is so sincere. Leave it to Styles...for all his gangsta talk, he always had this social awareness too. Like, he was really the one that should've made "Why", instead of Kiss. When you couple his social knowledge with his irreverence, you get seminal tracks like this one.
Common's track features the Last Poets (read that again). How astute is that? Common ceases to amaze. I can think of only three other emcees who would do that. Definitely Nas and Mos, and perhaps Jay-Z...but in a calculated way, not a natural way.
After Electric Circus, which is a classic album (maybe not for strictly hiphop heads, but definitely for music dudes and anyone that can appreciate more than a drum and bass), Common apparently got some backlash and supposedly set out to get his grind back.
This track with the Poets is a masterpiece. Kanye is at his best...knowing that, unlike Kweli, Common is every bit the artist he is.
The arrangement of the song is sick. With Common spittin', then a Poet coming in and doing their thing and then Kanye spittin' in that Chicago twang I like. What's also i'll is to peep the difference between the 'corners' Common describes and the 'corners' the Poets refer to.
Common's album will be lethal. I'm sure of it.
also: new singing chick (i'm not gonna differentiate singing music anymore...not when it comes to R&B vs soul...useless...music heads will know the difference). Anyways...Teedra Moses. Get up on that.
...real quick NBA tidbit...
I woke up this morning with crust still in my eyes and fog still clouding my brain. I got my coffee, and snatched the sports section and went back to my room. Then I turned on the TV and switched it to ESPN. That's when I saw a graphic in the paper about Webber being traded to the Sixers. I almost pissed on myself.
Mark my words...Philly will be playing in June. They have AI and Webb, plus a slew of young athletes and a goofy caucasian with a wet stroke from range. The team's so healthy they're sick.
LA will always be my squad and the Wizards have become a close second. But ever since AI's been in the league I've rooted for Philly almost as much as LA. Now that they added Webb I may have to bump them back up to No. 2...2A at least.
Styles "I'm Black"
Common (featuring the Last Poets) "Corner"
The Styles joint is not just a banger, it's a message. A message in the true sense of the word. I see it becoming the noveau "I'm Black and I'm Proud", except less of a social-political mantra likes James' was and more of an embrace of culture.
If radios don't put that in heavy rotation then shame on them, because the beat is hot -- similar to "I Get High", only in this case its a beat that triumphant, the tempo and the arrangement keep your head noddin the way you do when you nod in approvement -- and the song content is so sincere. Leave it to Styles...for all his gangsta talk, he always had this social awareness too. Like, he was really the one that should've made "Why", instead of Kiss. When you couple his social knowledge with his irreverence, you get seminal tracks like this one.
Common's track features the Last Poets (read that again). How astute is that? Common ceases to amaze. I can think of only three other emcees who would do that. Definitely Nas and Mos, and perhaps Jay-Z...but in a calculated way, not a natural way.
After Electric Circus, which is a classic album (maybe not for strictly hiphop heads, but definitely for music dudes and anyone that can appreciate more than a drum and bass), Common apparently got some backlash and supposedly set out to get his grind back.
This track with the Poets is a masterpiece. Kanye is at his best...knowing that, unlike Kweli, Common is every bit the artist he is.
The arrangement of the song is sick. With Common spittin', then a Poet coming in and doing their thing and then Kanye spittin' in that Chicago twang I like. What's also i'll is to peep the difference between the 'corners' Common describes and the 'corners' the Poets refer to.
Common's album will be lethal. I'm sure of it.
also: new singing chick (i'm not gonna differentiate singing music anymore...not when it comes to R&B vs soul...useless...music heads will know the difference). Anyways...Teedra Moses. Get up on that.
...real quick NBA tidbit...
I woke up this morning with crust still in my eyes and fog still clouding my brain. I got my coffee, and snatched the sports section and went back to my room. Then I turned on the TV and switched it to ESPN. That's when I saw a graphic in the paper about Webber being traded to the Sixers. I almost pissed on myself.
Mark my words...Philly will be playing in June. They have AI and Webb, plus a slew of young athletes and a goofy caucasian with a wet stroke from range. The team's so healthy they're sick.
LA will always be my squad and the Wizards have become a close second. But ever since AI's been in the league I've rooted for Philly almost as much as LA. Now that they added Webb I may have to bump them back up to No. 2...2A at least.
posted by Twistinado @ 11:20 PM
4 Comments:
At 10:19 AM,
Anonymous said…
Hey Vee,
I truly enjoyed reading uour blog. It is hilarious, a brilliant mixture of satire and content. I did kop that Teedra Moses yesterday (before reading your blog), but I have not quite decided what to make of the whole CD. I will definitely be checking for the new Common and Styles. And on another note your descrition of the rappin cowboy crip walking was classic! ~Sumaya
At 1:12 PM,
Anonymous said…
Young Admiral,
I must say young man you are posting some good ish and I must second the young wife on the rappin' cowboy, jeans buckling at the knees and crip walk discription, definitely a one question moment, classic material.
The new joints from Common and Styles P. I have yet to hear but you know me, being the self-proclaimed "Hip-Hop Historian" I can mos definitely appreciate the Last Poets, a group who can truely claim to be founding fathers of the Hop, speiling (thier early term for rapping) over jazz tracks in the late 60's and early 70's, can't wait to hear them get busy with Common and West. As for Holiday Styles doing a "conscious track" I must agree with Nasty Nas and Young Tony on the idea that "conscious rap" has somehow for whatever reason covertly infiltrated pop music and has become part of the "Blueprint" but I will still check for it, personally I am really feelin' Beanie Sigel's new joint (Something in the air? I think thats the title) which has a very conscious self introspective vibe.
And I hope there is some room left on that Nats (Sixers throwback jerseys from last night) bandwagon because I'm definitely on board. I'm out like box cuts.
One
At 5:01 PM,
Anonymous said…
Okay Vee,
I just wanted to update my original comment. Correction: I love that Teedra Moses, it is so HOT! I also downloaded that Common video and it is truly impressive. I heard that Stlyes P joint five minutes ago and really liked it (I have never been a fan but I may have to pay more attention). Good Look ~ Sumaya
At 10:03 PM,
Twistinado said…
Yeah May that Moses is dope. I wouldn't recommend that a man drop everything and go kop it, since its definitely an album for her sisters, but there's some great music on it...and she's new, which is always interesting. Plus anyone that Saadiq endorses has to be a winner.
Chuck...I never really thought about the new commercial appeal of "conscious rap", but reserve judgement to you hear this Styles joint...it's him and definitely sincere.
Yeag G I saw that foolish Kenny Thomas comment. Webb is doing 21, 10 and 5...that's all we have to say. But dig...did you see how he came Philly and thugged Iguadala for his #4 jersey? Gangsta.
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