Between Yelawolf, Block Beattaz, and Jackie Chain, Bama isn’t messing around this year. There are probably some more names that belong on that list, but my ignorant East Coast ass isn’t read up on country rap. Also, best adlib ever:
All these yellow diamonds got my neck lookin’ like Lisa (Simpson!)
Soul Khan of Brown Bag AllStars writes a letter to his future self on this track from his album coming out this summer. For Soul Khan’s two cents on indie hip-hop, refer to our in-depth interview with BBAS.
If you dig Flying Lotus and Free the Robots, Alex B is all you. The Colorado producer is the latest in a new class of beat-heads radiating from LA who make-spaced out dubstep beats. The song comes from his newly released album Moments. Now to find a copy.
via Pop & Hiss
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It sucks when artists get so wrapped up in “making a difference” that it precludes them from making good music. Nas has been grappling with this issue with his last two albums. Instead of trying to go somewhere interesting musically, he tried to grab everyone’s attention by giving his albums controversial titles. With Distant Relatives, he teamed up with Damian Marley to say something, I’m not sure what, about Africa. Nas told MTV, “We’re tryin’ to show love and stuff with this album. So, the record’s … all about really the ‘hood and Africa also as well.” I don’t think he’s quite sure either.
Given his reputation as the ultimate lyrical MC, Nas feels compelled to be more poignant and meaningful than his peers. But I think all of his activism and positivity is in response to Bill O’Reilly calling him out on his violent lyrics. I get the impression that he wants to protect and improve his image by making message music.
If it’s poignancy he’s after, “Friends” nails it, without all the sociopolitical mumbo jumbo. Rather than taking on poverty, racism, and media bias with a series of platitudes, Nas offers a dark discussion of relationships, to which everyone can relate; much more timeless than “Sly Fox.” Nas should stick to personal subjects, which make for more compelling music, in his case at least.
via Tha Corner
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