Scram Jones lives on the sidelines. I’ve seen his name on production credits for as long as I can remember, but I can’t name any of them. He acknowledges his lack of visibility on “40 Bar Flashback,” where he says, “Was cool like that before I could produce a track / Ten years in the game and they’re like, ‘Scram Jones (who is that?)'” Littered with rap references, the tape is a hip-hop celebration with enthusiasm and mirth instead of suffocating reverence. There are familiar samples, punchlines that you’ll be tempted to tweet, a memorable Alchemist appearance (two if you count the previously-released Gangrene track), and Kenny Powers interludes instead of cries of “For the culture!” Proof that rap can still be casual and fun.
Before you ask.. yup, I watched a whole season (or 2..) of Degrassi, what other rap blawgs out there are doing that? I just though this was kind of meta, a rapper acting while wearing a t-shirt of another rapper. I’ve been dying to get an excuse to use this, so I’m posting this as some sort of commemoration of the release of Take Care this week. As for the 700k sellingTake Care? I’m not afraid to confess that I enjoy the album.
Posted for the frantic, psychedelic animation, though Blu and FlyLo’s collaboration is a recent highlight for the discreet West Coast rapper. U-God’s part is missing from the video.
Tanya Morgan have a new EP due out November 22 entitled You And What Army. If you haven’t heard, it’s just Von Pea and Donwill now. “Whatever That’s Mine” is about getting yours — in a blue collar way, not the Birdman way.
[audio:http://media.audibletreats.com/Tanya_Morgan-Whatever_Thats_Mine.mp3]
Has-Lo demonstrates an impeccable taste in beats on his new album, but his subdued flow takes some getting used to. He raps about personal problems and black strife with the aid of dramatic, vivid production from Audible Doctor, Exile, Kev Brown, and Oddisee. Small Pro is responsible for the album’s apex; “Deaden the Pain” is a march through a post-apocalyptic ghost town with death lurking around every corner.
The Brown Bag AllStars continue to seep throughout hip-hop. Cosigns and collaborations are the measure of influence in rap and BBAS members’ names pop up on indie rap releases with increasing frequency now. Koncept’s new single boasts one of the better Royce da 5’9 appearances of late and a reliable appearance from Marco Polo. Koncept’s Awaken drops December 13.
Starlito chases Ultimate Warrior with a nine song supplement. Separation Anxiety is a lot like Ultimate Warrior, but with an inclination toward slow jams inflamed by hi-hats, Lito’s laid back jeering, and cries of “bitch!”
