With the upcoming new year quickly approaching, there’s a saying that goes “out with the old, and in with the new.”  This week, I’m going to introduce you to some artists that will make you say the opposite.  The singles I will be subjecting you to all have a common theme in that they’re new releases from legendary emcees and producers.  Most of these artists have molded the genre of hip hop (in a positive way) into what it is today.  These artists have been members of legendary groups such as the Wu- Tang Clan, Dilated Peoples, and Atmosphere (to name a few).  On two of these singles we have samples of The Notorious B.I.G who continues to influence hip hop despite his unfortunate demise in 1997.  I’m really excited about a particular single I found for you guys reuniting two members of the classic hip hop group Native Tongues: Jarobi (A Tribe Called Quest) and Dres (Black Sheep) as they form the duo Evitan (native backwards). 

For those not familiar with Native Tongues, they essentially shifted and changed the game of hip hop with their afrocentric lyrics and jazzy beats.  Native Tongues was a super group comprised of: De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, Monie Love, Black Sheep, and Queen Latifah.  If none of these groups or emcees sound familiar to you, right now stop what you’re doing and YouTube a snippet of a song whether it’s “Scenario (A Tribe Called Quest),” “Me, Myself, and I (De La Soul),” or “The Choice is Yours (Black Sheep).”  Yes I really mean it.  Sound familiar now?  That’s what I thought.  Native Tongues had a huge impact on hip hops golden age of lyricism from the late 1980s to the early 1990s while seeking inspiration from the legendary Afrika Bambaataa.  Needless to say I’m ecstatic about the single put out by Evitan and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone who checked out the blog last week and provided feedback for my rookie release.  As I’ve stated before, I’m not too proud to listen to feedback whether critical or complimentary and I was really happy to see such a positive show of support.  Again, thank you to everyone. As always, I’ve provided the download link within the artist name and song title.  With that being said I say, “Out with the new and in with the old” as I drop this week’s top five hip hop picks of the week, in Plain English of course.

1.)    Evitan- P.T.I

-          Jarobie, the 4^th member of A Tribe Called Quest (who left the group after Tribe’s first project) and Dres of Black Sheep team up for this politically motivated track P.T.I.  Despite what your views are on the Occupy Movement, you can’t discredit the cuts and content on this track.  Jarobie and Dres successfully bring back the b-boy feel of the early 1990s with a track that leaves one smiling every time it’s heard.

 “No justice no peace, I’ll be the ulcer in the stomach of the belly of the beast.”

 

2.)    Slaughterhouse- The Illest

-          Slaughterhouse (made up of Royce da 5’9, Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden, and Crooked-I) takes a Biggie Smalls sample and turns it into a masterpiece in The Illest.  Despite being signed to a major label (Shady Records), I’ve been pleasantly surprised by this group’s progression.  The Illest when you first play it has that raw sound infused with classic samples from Biggie’s “Think B.I.G” and O.C.’s “Times Up” that automatically takes you by surprise like catching an Anderson Silva kick to the face.  Each emcee is strategically placed as I feel Joell Ortiz provides the weakest verse going first.  From there, it’s a toss-up as Joe Budden, Crooked-I, and Royce da 5’9 bring quality with each of their verses.  A Biggie sample on the hook never hurts either. After this single, Slaughterhouse leaves one wondering if they’re the group that’s going to save hip hop?  Joe Budden says it best in his verse when referring to Slaughterhouse, “This ain’t even a group, just one real n***@ multiplied.”    

 “I’m bout to go Van Gogh and I have to reach for slavery guns, that mean I draw a masterpiece.”

3.)    Evidence ft. Slug and Aesop Rock- Late for the Sky

-          This soulful and melodic track samples Jackson Browne’s Late for the Sky in the hook and packs it with a powerful baseline and rhythmic verses written by Slug (Atmosphere), Evidence (Dilated Peoples), and Aesop Rock (Living Legends).  While the concept is simplistic in that it’s essentially about being late for a flight, each emcee brings a different style to the table.  Atmosphere hits you with more of a literal verse, Evidence comes with a mixture of a literal and metaphorical style, while Aesop Rock delivers an intellectually packed metaphorical masterpiece (alliteration unintentional).  Late for the Sky leaves the listener hypnotic (not the booze) and wishing that emcees and producers alike could construct such well rounded pieces.

“Late for my prime but something that was shaped by design, I’ve been runnin while the others burnt from racing the line.”

4.)    Raekwon ft. Notorious B.I.G and Ghostface Killah- Bricks Remix

-          There’s no way I could do this concept without including something from a member of the Wu Tang Clan as they’re my favorite hip hop group of all time.  But what are the odds that I find something with a Biggie verse on it as well?  The Bricks Remix is masterfully produced by Chamber Music extraordinaire Andrew Kelley.  On this single Kelley takes the hip hop classic “3 Bricks” and remixes it to the Inner Circle classic “Bad Boys” (Cops Theme).  Kelley samples this reggae classic, slows it down, and reverses it to give this track its unique sound.  Raekwon, Biggie, and Ghostface don’t disappoint with this dope kingpin concept and storytelling style.  As to who’s verse is strongest, pick your poison as all three pack heavy heat.  Listening to this reminds one of watching a gangster flick.  I wouldn’t expect anything less from the mighty Wu.

“Still drop an ill verse on the D.I. me, You might be gone but the legacy is B.I.G.”

5.)    Talib Kweli- Distractions

-          When it comes to conscious commentary, there’s not an emcee that has been more consistent than Talib Kweli.  On this solo joint, Kweli’s message is that the majority of the American public is so consumed by superficial areas that are irrelevant, that they’re losing sight of what’s going on in the political and economic sphere within their country.  In Kweli’s eyes, these are the areas in life an individual should be more concentrated on.  The samples and cuts at the end integrated by producer Oh No are a definitive asset to the song.  While the verse is choppy in parts, the overall message is concise and the content is above quality.

“Snappin how you keepin up with my rappin?, You barely keepin up with Kardashians, You caught up in distractions.”

Enjoy!

Warren