Hip Hop: Part 1
January 12th, 2010
Title: Troubadour
Artist: K’Naan
Label: A&M/Octone
Format: CD, MP3, CD Dlx. Ed. with DVD
Release date: Jan 13, 2009
-
-
This Somalian native burst onto the scene in 2006 with his acclaimed album The Dusty Foot Philospher. His sophomore album delivers more of the same, with songs that offer biting social commentary about his homeland, touching on the subjects of war, pirates, kidnappings, and survival. Recorded at Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong studio in Jamaica, some tracks include Marley samples and a Caribbean vibe, while others are sung in K’Naan’s native language over an Afro-beat. Throw in guests such as Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett (on the hard rocking “If Rap Gets Jealous”) and Mos Def, and you get an ever-changing landscape that is impossible to categorize, veering somewhere between rap and world music, and sure to please fans of both.
Following is the official music video for T.I.A. (“This is Africa”) from the album Troubadour ((C) 2009 A&M/Octone):
=================================================
Title: Born Like This
Artist: Doom
Label: Lex Records
Format: CD, MP3, LP
Release date: March 24, 2009
-
-
Doom (formerly MF Doom) is the nom de rap of British-born American hip hop artist Daniel Dumile, known for his collaborations with Madlib, DJ Danger Mouse, and Ghostface Killah, among others. His latest album doesn’t disappoint. Who else can weave in references to cartoons and comic books while still producing really thought provoking socially conscious lyrics? Samples from TLC, Earth, Wind & Fire, Ramsey Lewis, and Michael Jackson lend an old school vibe, while guests Prince Paul, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and producers J Dilla, Madlib, and Jake One take it over the top. One of the highlight of the album is “Cellz,” which contains a sample of Charles Bukowski reading “Dinosauria, We.” Another song is titled “Microwave Mayo.” This is wild and crazy stuff, and we love it.
=================================================
Title: Georgiavania
Artist: Willie Isz
Label: Lex Records
Format: CD, LP, MP3
Release date: April 21, 2009
-
-
Willie Isz is actually an alternative rap duo featuring acclaimed producer Jneiro Jarel, a Philly transplant, and Atlanta’s Khujo Goodie (of Goodie Mob fame)- hence the mashed-up title of their debut album Georgiavania. The pair strives to break down boundaries by alternating tracks steeped in southern hip hop and crunk with genre-bending songs and instrumentals referencing Philly soul, rock, and techno. By shaking things up at every turn, they’ve delivered an album that bears many repeated listenings, and might even appeal to those who generally avoid hip hop.
=================================================
Title: Brooklynatti
Artist: Tanya Morgan
Label: Interdependent Media
Format: CD, MP3
Release date: May 12, 2009
-
-
First off, Tanya Morgan is not a female rapper, but an underground male hip hop trio comprised of Brooklyn native MC Von Pea and Cincinnati’s MC Donwil and Illyas. In a modern twist on the band story, the members first met online and shared demos, producing much of their 2006 debut before ever meeting in person. Brooklynatti, their second full album, was produced by Brickbeat (who also hails from Cincy) and has been widely praised for its sharp, witty lyrics and great beats.
Following is the official video for “So Damn Down” from Brooklynatti ((C) iMCULTURE):
=================================================
Title: Brains All Over the Street
Artist: T-K.A.S.H.
Label: Guerrilla Funk
Format: CD, MP3
Release date: May 12, 2009
-
-
Guerrilla Funk is a label with a mission to “address issues through music and activism that are of importance to all of us,” and they chose their artists accordingly. Their latest find is T-K.A.S.H., “a hip hop artist, radio personality and community activist who is a part of movement to merge socially responsible messages with music that engages and stands the test of time.” Brains All Over the Street demonstrates this commitment through tracks such as “Terror Sells,” “American Made,” “Dead Man Walking” and “Peace to My Enemies” that press for social and political change. Check out the T-K.A.S.H interview with Davy D where they discuss the album.
=========================
Posted by Brenda Nelson-Strauss
Review Genre(s): Rap and Hip-Hop
Trackback this post