From Duodma

For those of you not in the know (Lil’ Wayne fans), the Rap/Hip Hop era ended around the year 2001. We have many only-for-the-riches-rappers at this current moment in our lives. The radio air waves have been filled with the synthesized beats of Akon, Lil’ Wayne, and Flo Rida, but people forget the legends.

When I speak of the legends I am talking about the rappers and groups that cauCarlos’ emo expression hides a gangsta interior.sed controversy, political action, and moved a generation. The current tracks in our time have no meaning, or make me think…of nothing. It’s not like I am listening to Flo Rida’s track “Right Around,” and saying “Damn, that blowjob would be sweet, I never thought this song would redefine the culture of blowjobs.” Rap and Hip Hop back in its glory days was hard and people were speaking their mind about political events, current news around the world, and of course getting beat down by the man!

I am not going to cover the tracks or artists who rapped about politics and fighting the man just yet. Today’s topic of discussion is gangsta rap.

I never thought I would ever say this but, what happened to gangsta rap? I haven’t heard any! Not one. By my definition gangsta rap is the rap that had a very smooth or hard beat with a hard kick and the snare. The lyrics also talked about the day of drugs, gangs, living in the projects, and extreme violence (I don’t condone the actions in the songs; I just miss the hard feel to it. It was something that could take me away, get my mind off things and make me feel like a hardass and that I could take on anything). The last great gangsta rap album in my opinion was Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic 2001,” his follow up to 1992′s “The Chronic.” Both “Chronics” are a masterpiece in my eyes, it contains many of the rappers I consider legends such as Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Nate Dogg, Kurupt, the D.O.C., Eminem, and Xzibit. To even add more to the genius of Dr. Dre’s “Chronic” albums, he did one of my favorite techniques in his album…sampling! The artists sampled include, AC/DC, DJ Quik, Sugarhill Gang, and Chic. If you haven’t heard the latest news either from XM satellite radio news, or any news source, I am very glad to inform you that Dr. Dre will be releasing his third follow up to “The Chronic,” soon after the release of Eminem’s “Relapse.” in May of 2009. Rumors say Dr. Dre will be entitling this album “Detox,” but forums and media have already dubbed it “The Chronic 3″ or “The Chronic 2009.”
This leads into my next point, where has Marshall Mathers been? Besides me seeing him randomly around the D. He is scheduled to launch his new album “Relapse” in May of this year, but has been laying low prior to that. Rumors have been speculated which talked about his sleeping pill addiction and others have said he is simply spending more time with his daughter Hallie Jade. I do have one request Mr. Mathers…COME BACK! HAVE YOU TURNED ON YOUR RADIO LATELY?! HAVE YOU HEARD THIS CRAP COMING OUT OF IT?! Luckily a few weeks ago, he released his first single from “Relapse,” entitled “Crack a Bottle” featuring the one and only Dr. Dre and 50 Cent. Let me tell you that track is hot, and many of my friends don’t like it, but personally I think its genius, and I’ve been waiting for this moment since 2001. I especially love it more then anything because of one aspect…that’s right it samples! It samples hardcore and they drop it like it’s hot. The sample they choose is a Wu-Tang production entitled “Preservation,” performed by Aesop Rock and Del tha Funkee Homosapien. The track begins with Slim announcing himself ringside style with his stats of murders, assaults, and other illegal activities and then the beat drops and the madness begins. Dr. Dre has the second verse and just tears it apart, now we know he is back and he isn’t fucking around, he’s coming back, and he’s coming back hardcore.

Ah finally, the time has come.
Not a genius Welcome to Carlos Hip-Hop 101. The way I view it, put any rap from the year 2001-Present in the garbage, or do as I have done, and put them in a box and throw the whole damn thing in the ocean.
Rap music at our current moment is at its lowest point ever. We have terrible producers finding the worst possible people to represent their label and the lowest quality songs which end up being one-time-club-hit-wonders.

When I engage in a music/entertainment conversation and I hear the “O-M-G, did you hear the new L’il Wayne song? L’il Wayne is a genius, his music is a masterpiece.” I want to gouge my eyes out with a blunt knife, stick a toothpick underneath my toenails then kick a soccer ball, followed by listening to nails run along a chalkboard all day, and all of these would sound better then L’il Wayne. The word genius and L’il Wayne should NEVER be used in the same sentence.

Let’s go back a little bit. I am not going to give you a lesson in hip-hop history as I am not that educated in the field. But I will try to indulge your ears with hip-hop that contains purpose and intelligence. I’m gonna take you back when DJs were DJs and MCs were MCs, when the spoken word had power, before the days of the spinning rims, big bootys, dolla dolla bills culture.

Native Tongues

This isn’t one rap group or anything of that sort. The Native Tongues were certain rap groups in the late 80′s and early 90′s that were known were for their quirky sense of style and positive rhymes. The Native Tongues consisted of legendary hip hop groups such as Kool, DJ Red Alert, Jungle Brothers, and Prince Paul.  My main focus from the Native Tongue list is going to be De La Soul (Posdnous, Trugoy, and Maseo) and A Tribe Called Quest (Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi White).

De La Soul began around 1987-1988. The group consists of Trugoy (Yogurt backwards, because he likes yogurt) Posdnous (Sound Sop backwards) and Maseo. The group’s claim to fame was the album 3 Feet High and Rising, which was released in 1989. The album is absolutely the most amazing mix of funk, clever hip hop, and fun you will ever hear. If you want an idea of how the album will be, the group samples George Clinton and The Parliment Funkadelics “Not Just Knee Deep,” which if you know is a very upbeat and funky song. The group also samples Steely Dan’s “Peg.” The album with its quirkiness includes the artists talking to animals such as Mr. Monkey and Mr. Crocodile.

If you’re not into the old school feel I understand. But I can show you a track where the group still shows they know what’s going on. Most of you know the Gorillaz for their hot single “Feel Good Inc.” It was a great song, I liked it; it was very different, creative, and just fun to dance to. What most people don’t know are the rappers who have an entire verse in that song. Who do you think it is? That’s right…De La Soul. Their style is a just a little bit different from the early 90′s, but they still know how to kick it.

In 3 Feet High and Rising, Try:

“Freedom of Speak (We Got Three Minutes)”

Great track with awesome sampling of 70′s Funk. Great producing, shows this group made an effort to be creative although using a sample and they know how to work the ones and two’s.

“Say No Go”

De La Soul was known for their positive style of rapping and reaching out. This is my favorite track by them, and one of the best samplings I’ve ever heard. Here they sample Hall and Oates while delivering an anti-drug message which was how drugs want your body then go for the soul.

“Eye Know”

In this track the group samples Steely Dan’s “Peg.”

A Tribe Called Quest:

Oh my lanta. Where do I even begin with this group?! This group’s rhymes are so hot you would think they have a Ph.D. in rapping. Many of their songs are considered legendary or classics. Time Magazine named one of their albums The Low End Theory #158 among the 500 albums of all time. In my book, you haven’t heard rapping until you’ve heard Quest, it will blow your mind. Here are some tracks to spin your head a little bit, don’t get discouraged though, this group uses an adult vocabulary and actually pronounces their words, weird right?

Try:

“Award Tour” Midnight Marauders

Probably one of their more popular hits in the early 90′s. In the early 2000′s current hip hop artist Kanye West with fellow DJ “DJ Consequence.” Sampled the song ‘Electric Relaxation,’ and put their own twist to it.

Other Groups To Try:

Dungeon Family: “Follow the Lights”

Dilated Peoples: This Way

Carlos Pedilla is a founder of duodma, an independent publication covering the Detroit music scene, and the official partner of the Kosmopolitan.  Their site can be found at duodma.squarespace.com, where Carlos is a regular blogger.

Quantic

Among all the vinyls and mp3s I own, my most treasured tracks are by a musician, producer and DJ named Will Holland. His stage name, ‘Quantic,’ may be more familiar. Born in England and based in Colombia, Quantic is one of the hardest-working musicians on the planet. Since his debut in 2001 with the album The 5th Exotic, he has released over 10 albums and over 30 remixes. His recent claim to fame was a spot oon the “Apple + I Tunes” commercial with the song “Mi Swing es Tropical,” with Nickodemus. His beats appear at clubs throughout the world–Australia and Asia, Europe and South America, and of course, the U.S.

Quantic has a “smooth-jazz-latin-electronica-minimal-tropical-funk-soul-chill” sound. In a word, unique. If you enjoy any of the aforementioned genres, you will love Quantic. Over the years other artists in the industry have gained respect for Quantic for his musical innovation and high-quality tracks. He recently collaborated with American soul legend Spanky Wilson. The album I’m Thankful is a great collection of songs, filled with funk, soul, and a full orchestra–the Quantic Soul Orchestra.

The Quantic Soul Orchestra was created by Quantic for his love of the
old dusty funk 45s. His orchestra is a masterpiece of creativeness and
displays his ability to bring back the old sounds of Afro-Funk, and
Soul with a strict rule of no sampling. The orchestra really brings
depth and feeling to the album as your ears are invigorated with
beautiful melodies and break beats. Quantic’s other side projects include “The Limp Twins,” and “Flowering
Inferno.”

Quantic Tracks You Cannot Miss:

“Transatlantic”

This song is great for those summer days at the pool, or a great track
to start off your evening cool breeze martini party. It keeps your
guests happy, and doesn’t make you look weird for trying to be overly
trendy.

“Not So Blue”– see YouTube

Another marvelous track. The beat keeps you thinking, makes you imagine
what is to come next in your life. Great track to listen to while you
are in a complete state of procrastination. One of my favorites.

“End of the Road”

Featuring the Quantic Soul Orchestra and Alice Russel, “End of the Road” highlights the energy, passion, and texture of the orchestra.

“Don’t Joke With a Hungry Man”

Featuring Spanky Wilson, this soulful track and keeps you on your feet as you groove to the
funky beats, and get that feel of being at a light night funk filled
blind pig.

“Mi Swing Es Tropical”

This track only features Quantic but it’s upbeat and funky and encapsulates his multicultural-multigenre talent.

Carlos Padilla is co-creator of the website duodma.com.  He is a freelance DJ and regular music contributor to The Kosmopolitan. He lives in Detroit, MI.