When Hip Hoppers Can’t Funk With the Jazz

I didn’t know whether to put this in my ‘Here Lies Education’ section or in my ‘The Experienced Listener’ section.  Luckily, it’s my site, so I can put it in both.  I love when music and education connect…

I’ve reviewed a lot of albums during my several stints as ‘The Experienced Listener’.  Just about two weeks ago I had the pleasure of witnessing rapper Kendrick Lamar drop one of the greatest Hip Hop albums I’ve heard in years. Some are even saying it’s one of the greatest albums in music period; time will tell once the butterflies of the moment have passed.

The Experienced Listener Says, "Platforms & Hustles: The BalanceBetween Fame and Activism"

#TAKEOVERFL

There’s a disco that occurs in our society every time a new cause rises up.   It starts with a call to action.  That call reaches the common people first.  And then, eventually, the common people start relaying the call to people of great influence, who may be able to do some things that common people generally can’t.  The first group of influential people… are typically deaf.  More concerned about maintaining their influence than using it, they distance themselves from controversy and agitation by all means.  The other group, however, receives the call.  And then something significant happens--- that group subdivides.

The Experienced Listener Presents: YHAP (Young Hearts At Party), by F.Durty

The Experienced Listener Presents:  YHAP (Young Hearts at Party), by F. Durty



[caption id="attachment_1950" align="alignleft" width="300"] Young Hearts At Party Album Cover[/caption]

I’m writing this review with a hole in my roof.  Now, just meditate on that for a minute…

The Experienced Listener Presents: Joey Bada$$ “Summer Knights” vs.Killer Mike & El-P “Run the Jewels”

This is the first article of my “Vs.” series of reviews.  Rather than do a lengthy breakdown of one album, I take two albums that I feel are of similar caliber and aptitude, and I pit them against each other.  This isn’t a sanctioned fight; if you want that, continue to debate about Born Sinner and Yeezus.  I want to take vs. to a secluded location where we can really get technical and highlight some raw talent in its raw state.

Summer Knights by Joey Bada$$

[caption id="attachment_1902" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Summer Knights Album Cover[/caption]

VS.

[caption id="attachment_1901" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Run the Jewels Cover[/caption]

Run the Jewels by Run the Jewels (Killer Mike and El-P),

First, let’s get familiar with the artists:

The Experienced Listener Says, "Rock the Mic Wit Akuma Beads!!"

[caption id="attachment_1893" align="alignright" width="118"] My SFA2 heads feel me on this one...[/caption]

There's an affinity between Hip Hop and martial arts, ya'll know it.  "Wu-Tang Clan", anyone?  "Battle" rapping?  C'mon, it's obvious.  Matter of fact, what got me hooked on the Street Fighter series was when I saw Chun Li do her Whirlwind Kick, because it looked like the windmill/headspin that a Hip Hop break dancer would do.  But with more sexiness of leg action.

The Experienced Listener Presents: King Remembered In Time, by BigK.R.I.T.

[caption id="attachment_1848" align="alignright" width="300"] King Remembered In Time by Big K.R.I.T.[/caption]

The Experienced Listener Presents:  King Remembered In Time, by Big K.R.I.T.

Me and my students don’t have the same tastes in music.  …I hate to admit it, but I’ve gotten old; even at just 30, when I say “Goodie Mob”, my students are totally oblivious to the movement called Soul Food that came out in 1995 (Age Against the Machine drops August 27^th by the way!!)

The Experienced Listener Says, "Miley Tootin'-Shootin' Cyrus"

Miley Cyrus.  Miley, Miley, Miley…

[caption id="attachment_1821" align="alignright" width="300"] Miley Cyrus - Insert Grill Here[/caption]

I used to half-joke with my friends about this conspiracy theory I have: that certain children’s networks were secretly recruiting young, strikingly cute girls in order to grow them up into vixens and feed them to the more seedy parts of the industry--- the parts responsible for topless Spring Breaks in Cancun and such.  I would also tell peeps that certain networks were grooming child actors and actresses into teen pop icons as part of a plan to transform themselves from cartoon-based networks to music networks.

Then I saw the show Hannah Montana; there was pretty much nothing left to say after that.  See, the line between fantasy and reality in our society has become very blurred.  As a result, I watched Hannah Montana--- not that I watched Hannah Montana; that would be a Manlaw Violation---

The Experienced Listener Presents: Intellectual Bliss, by JasonPlusOne

The Experienced Listener Presents:  Intellectual Bliss by Jasonplusone

[caption id="attachment_1811" align="alignright" width="300"] Intellectual Bliss by Jasonplusone[/caption]

I hafta begin this write-up with an apology; I received this particular project EONS ago.  But it was right in the middle of a turbulent period for TKKT; I decided to hold off on dropping this review for a better time when people would actually read it, because I’ve found Jasonplusone to be a dope artist worthy of some serious profiling.  And big-ups for being a thought-provoking artist from the South by way of Florida; we need more of that down here.

The Experienced Listener Presents: Student of the Game, by N.O.R.E. akaPapi

[caption id="attachment_1791" align="alignright" width="300"] Student of the Game Album Cover[/caption]

So I’m ridin ‘round listening to NPR radio a few months back. And I hear a new song by N.O.R.E. …Yeah, Noreaga. On NPR. I had to pinch myself. Then I said, “WHAT-WHAT!!” , but it was more like “WH-WHAT??” As in, “What is N.O.R.E. aka Papi aka Animal Thug doing on NPR?? …NPR must be on the come-up!” So of course, when I got home, I checked to see if I could get that track in a combo meal. And there it was: a new N.O.R.E. album, Student of the Game. I’m pleased to say that N.O.R.E. has gotten better with time in ways I never even predicted.

The Experienced Listener Presents: "Fish in the Forest", by Mr. Al Pete

The Experienced Listener Presents:  Fish in the Forest by Al Pete

[caption id="attachment_1624" align="alignright" width="300"] Mr. Al Pete, "Fish in the Forest"[/caption]

It amazes me how it’s possible to have world renowned musicians that don’t have an ear for music.  One would think that, once you make a hit song, you would have a formula for making other songs on par with that one.  Only rarely do I find that quality in hip hop musicians.  But Florida’s own Mr. Al Pete represents a definite exception to this rule, and his new project, Fish in the Forest, is indeed exceptional.  I woulda bought it the same day I heard it had it not been for… well, I got into a lil car accident the other day, and I still haven’t been reimbursed for the tow yet  >:-\

The Experienced Listener Presents: Polos and Retros: The MaturationProcess, by John Bussie

The Experienced Listener Presents:  Polos and Retros: The Maturation Process, by John Bussie

Contrary to how long it’s taken me to write this review, I’ve been greatly anticipating the release of Polos and Retros by Augusta ambassador John Bussie.  I was very impressed with his first two releases iPod Muzik 1 and iPod Muzik 2; this third effort proves to be ‘the charm’, so to speak.  Featuring the infamous song and video for Lamp Lights, this mixtape is a good listen that really gives you a feel for the REAL Augusta.  I say REAL because Augusta has many faces; I’ll leave the rest to you mathematicians out there.