Topics

16

General Discussion / It´s Women´s Day, let´s be honest...

« on: August 09, 2004, 05:11:00 PM »

Hip-Hop culture and rap music have a history of marginalising women. It´s never really embraced the fairer sex. So-called femcees have to do so much more than their male counterparts to be accepted. In terms of rapping, they´ve got to be nice on the mic and easy on the eye. And let´s not even talk about how women have been degraded in the speak of so many brothers...

Yes, sexism has been alive for as long as I can remember. Hip-Hop keeps it going.

PEACE
Supafly

17

General Discussion / Kallitz

« on: August 02, 2004, 04:32:00 PM »

I´ve had their album, Die Ding Ruk Mal, for a few weeks now.

The first thing that struck me about their style was the obvious Bra**e Vannie Kaap influences. In fact, some of the song ideas seem like they were lifted straight from BVK´s debut album.

Musically, the beats have some nice bounce, but I feel the production could have been varied. There´s an overabundance of synthesised tunes (think Lil Jon meets contemporary Dr Dre), which wears thin over a whole album.

But I think the thing that concerns me most about their album is the content. Now, if one looks back at BVK, there were pseudo-stereotypical representations of coloured people on their first and second albums, but I think a lot of it was satirical. With Kallitz, they seem to retread the same themes, but with few hints of satire or sarcasm.

For those of you who have heard it, what are your thoughts?

Supafly

18

General Discussion / Best of DJ Premier

« on: July 27, 2004, 04:11:00 PM »

What are your favourite productions by Primo? List them here...

I´ll name five:

Gang Starr: Ma** Appeal, The ? Remainz, Gotta Get Over (Taking Loot), Just To Get A Rep, Code Of The Streets.

Non-Gang Starr: Come Clean (by Jeru the Damaja), Outta Here (by KRS One), The Best Part (by J-Live), Kick In The Door (by Notorious BIG), Doobie Ashtray (by Devin the Dude).

PEACE
Supafly

19

General Discussion / Don´t sleep on these... volume 2

« on: July 26, 2004, 10:31:00 PM »

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Ultramagnetic MCs – Critical Beatdown (1988 on Next Plateau)

The original ‘slept-on cla**ic’, this album has all the ingredients wack-a** underground cats have been trying to duplicate for last 10 years. The production, for its time, was revolutionary – matched, possibly, only by The Bomb Squad – and the lyrics cerebral enough to send your mind into a spin. The cla**ic Ego Trippin’ is here – although in abridged form – featuring MCs Kool Keith (yes, him) and Ced Gee trading lines and then verses. There are also several thinly (and sometimes not-so-thinly) veiled disses aimed at Run-DMC, Rakim and Slick Rick. Deciphering the lyrics to uncover these disses is half the fun of listening to this record. Otherwise, you get 46 minutes of back-to-back dopeness.

* It’s been reissued recently, with extra tracks, so cop that.

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The Cactus Album – 3rd Ba** (1988 on Def Jam)

Although they’re predated by the Beastie Boys, 3rd Ba** could still claim to be the ‘first bad white boys who ripped the mic’. MC Serch and Prime Minister Pete Nice are lyrically light-years ahead of the Beasties, although they lack the tricky trio’s penchant for pop-cultural references. Let’s just say they were more… street. This album, their debut, features some real treats, including The Gas Face, a wicked concept track which disses/’gives the gas face’ to luminaries like PW Botha and MC Hammer. There’s also Steppin’ To The AM, a Bomb Squad-produced banger which pays homage to the New York nightlife. Some of the playful skits get a bit annoying and the sexual innuendo (cacti, oval offices etc.) grows a bit tiresome, but there’s enough quality here to keep any fan of golden-age-era rap music happy for 60 minutes.

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Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop – Diamond & The Psychotic Neurotics

The best produced rap album of all time? Maybe not, but it’s right up there with 90s companions Mecca & The Soul Brother, Breaking Atoms and The Beatnuts. As a producer, Diamond can dig in the crates with the best of them, though he does recycle Booker T & the MG’s Green Onions, first used by MC Lyte, on the super-dope Best Kept Secret.

Today, Diamond’s lyrics may seem a little elementary, but his punchline-infused rhymes and occasional narratives usually complement the music quite well. The only exception is Confused, a pseudo-club song that is wrong in so many ways. Heads usually go crazy for the single, Sally Got A One Track Mind, but the highlight has to be the title track – homage to, you guessed it, Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop. Since, Stunts, Diamond hasn’t come close to bettering this effort. It’s essential listening.

PEACE!
Supafly

20

General Discussion / Don´t sleep on these

« on: July 22, 2004, 10:58:00 PM »

I love me some good ol´ American rap music. Really, I do. There have been several cla**ic rap records released in the 25 years (or so) in which rap music has been commercially available. Now, you know already know the usual suspects. But, I figured some of you - who are new to this - might be interested in going back and picking up some of the gems that, back in the day, pa**ed under the radar or were just straight ignored.

So, I present to you my first three picks:

Slaughtahouse - Masta Ase Incorporated (1993 on Delicious Vinyl)

The second album released by this old Juice Crew stalwart is sonically dark (think Black Moon meets Gravediggaz) and lyrically tongue-in-cheek. By going way over the top with their tales of violence and destruction, Ase and Co (Lord Digga, Paula Perry) do more than just poke fun at the gangsta rap genre, they make a mockery of it. Still, this album is more than just a bunch of parodies. Tracks like ´Jeep a** Niguh´ and ´Saturday Night´ bang with the best of them, while Ase makes sure the lyrics are always sharp, even when he is recycling cliches.

This album demands that you listen to it from start to finish: It´s not a collection of singles; it´s a high-quality concept album.

Ism & Blues - Hard 2 Obtain (1994 on Elektra)

If the acerbic statement that is Slaughtahouse is not for you, you may prefer the lighter vibes of H2O´s Ism & Blues. Produced by the Stimulated Dummies aka SD50s (who´ve lent their magic touches to albums by KMD, Brand Nubian and Del), this album is chockful of chunky drums, deep ba**lines and rare samples. Lyrically, H2O is not up to much. Mixed in with their freeform rhymes, you´ll get lots of stunts and blunts. But the beauty of this album really is in its beats. In terms of quality production, Ism & Blues is up there with Group Home´s Livin´ Proof and Centre Of Attention by InI.

Fadanuff Fa Er´ybody - Odd Squad (1994 on Rap-A-Lot)

Although they are descendants of Scarface and his Rap-A-Lot family, the Odd Squad offers a slightly happier experience on wax. Contrasting with the depressingly nihilistic tones of Brad Jordan and the Geto Boys, this southern trio (which include Devin The Dude) is strictly about the hoes and that hocus pocus. Fortunately, they also find the time to talk about their social situations - which, between the misogyny, makes for a welcome break. Mike Dean and NO Joe provide the beats, and I can tell you that they´re slicker than OutKast´s Big Boi on a slip-n-slide. Combine the syruppy production with the crew´s sweet-sweet flows, and you have a perfect summer album.

Don´t sleep!

PEACE till next time
Supafly


[ This message was edited by: Supafly on 22-07-2004 15:59 ]


[ This message was edited by: Supafly on 22-07-2004 16:04 ]

21

General Discussion / The Jo´burg and Cape Town scenes...

« on: June 29, 2004, 11:50:00 PM »

So, what are they really like? I´m not based in either of those cities, so I´m not really up on what´s happening there.

Of course, I see the videos on telly (by the likes of Skwatta and Cashless) and hear the tracks on radio (Godessa).

But, what about those artists who are only making noise on the underground? Who are they? What are they doing? Are they putting out any quality product?

Drop some science here.

Supafly

22

General Discussion / Overseas influences

« on: June 24, 2004, 04:44:00 PM »

You know how some local cats are influenced by overseas artists (especially those from the states), and you can hear it in their music? Well, most of them seem to draw their influences from the East and, to a lesser degree, from the West. But are there any SA cats who have clearly been influenced by those Detroit mofos (Eminem, Royce, D12)?

Supafly

23

General Discussion / My turn... (label poss picks)

« on: June 23, 2004, 12:06:00 AM »

Rob and KingDavid... nice suggestions!

My 10:
Cashless Society
Zubz
Tumi (for a project outside of the Volume)
TNG
Rob One (though we´d twist his arm to do some hellishly commercial stuff! :-)
TK (gotta have someone to lay down singing vocals when needed :-)
Mr Fat (of BVK)
Waddy Jones
D-Form
Sky 189

Producers:
Draztik
Patrick Hickey (old school, but still capable of putting it down)

A&Rs:
Shaheen Ariefden (formerly POC)
Big Dre (Bush Radio)

I think the A&Rs are crucial. But when it comes to taste-making, there isn´t another pair of heads I´d trust more than these two.

PEACE out
Supafly


[ This message was edited by: Supafly on 22-06-2004 17:07 ]

24

General Discussion / Pretend you´re a record label boss...

« on: June 21, 2004, 08:57:00 PM »

So, pretend you´re the head of a Hip-Hop record label in South Africa and you´re starting up your (potential) empire.

You need to sign 10 artists/groups - established and developing (you can even pick artists who are already signed), 2 producers (they will act as a resource to provide in-house production for your stable), 2 A&R types (the guys who´ll continuesly go looking for talent and develop the artists you have signed).

Who would you employ?

PEACE
Supafly

:-)

25

General Discussion / Do you like your hip-hop southern fried?

« on: May 25, 2004, 01:29:00 AM »

I´ve been chopping it up with Rob One, who also posts to these here boards. And we got to talking about rap music from the southern parts of the US. Now, I don´t think Rob is anti-south, but I think some of his thoughts represent how a lot of folks, who grew up on that traditional New York and LA sounds, feel about the south. I think it might have something to do with the aesthetics of the rhyme (southern twangs) and the music (which can range from ba** to booty shake to crunk).

So, how do you feel about southern-fried hip-hop?

PEACE
Supafly

[Super Power - BVK]

26

General Discussion / Mzantsi hip-hop

« on: May 19, 2004, 05:01:00 PM »

I need your help. I want to pick up some local hip hop discs, but I can´t quite decide which way to go.

I´m eyeing out the following:

Super Power - BVK

This looks like a greatest hits package. It´s got singles, remixes and a few unreleased tracks.

African Raw Materials, Vol. 1 - Cashless Society

What´s this like in entirety? I´ve only heard the big songs.

Mkhukhu Function - Skwatta Kamp

I´ve stayed away from these guys, but folks I know are into it.

Live At The Ba**line - Tumi & The Volume

Is this as essential as some claim?

Harambe Dope Sessions (Silvertab)

I can´t help but like Kaapse Ding. The other tracks are hit and miss.

Expressions

And this?

Please pa** on ideas.

PEACE
Supafly

27

General Discussion / Top 5 Underrated MCs

« on: May 04, 2004, 09:56:00 PM »

I like lists. I also like American MCs. Sometimes I like ´em even if they don´t sell a boatload of records. Here are five MCs that I´m feeling, although they usually don´t get a lot of press.

1. Kool G Rap - the godfather of NY thug music. It´s a pity he can´t pick beats, because he´s so much better than most of the cats selling big in NY now. He first dropped in 1985 and nearly 20 years later, he hasn´t lost a step. Another MC who will ´murder you on your own shit´. Get Wanted: Dead Or Alive

2. Masta Ace - He´s flow has morphed into Eminem territory, but Ace CAN write rhymes and he makes amazing concept albums. Check out Slaughtahouse and Disposable Arts.

3. Lord Finesse - The punchline king. His flow is type laidback, oozing ´finesse´ (geddit?) and control. Recently hasn´t done anything on wax to match his albums in the early 90s (The Funky Technician and Return Of The Funky Man) but he´s still good for a cameo or two.

4. Percee P - owns every song he´s ever rhymed on. You don´t want to be on the same track as this man. Sure, he never actually says anything in his rhymes (except how dope he is), but he has such an eloquent way of saying nothing. Killer flow.

5. King Tee - His name doesn´t come up too often. Unfortunately his heyday coincided with the uber-popularity of NWA. He´s not so sharp with the rhymes, but like Large Professor (see below) there´s a sense that he´s always rapping from the heart - or should that be from the liver? (King Tee gave birth to Tha Alkaholiks).

Honourable mention:
Large Professor - Will never be confused with Rakim. But Extra P always sounds like he´s putting his all into. He rhymes plainly, but with an element of ´b-boyism´ that many rappers lack. Responsible for the cla**ic "Breaking Atoms" with Main Source.

So, who are your favourite underrated MCs?

PEACE
Supafly

28

General Discussion / Cla**ic SA rap albums

« on: April 18, 2004, 10:56:00 PM »

So, I´m wondering... are there any?

I mean there are a lot of albums released stateside that heads consider ´cla**ic´: Raising Hell, Criminal Minded, It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back, Straight Outta Compton, 3 Feet High & Rising, Low End Theory, The Chronic, Illmatic... the list goes on.

Of course, everyone has his or her own definition of cla**ic. Some will tell you a cla**ic album is one you can play from front to back without skipping a track. Others will say a cla**ic is an album recorded years ago that you can listen to now and still appreciate. Some still will argue that a cla**ic is all about the impact an album had on its time and those that followed.

But, what about the local scene? Has an album been released here that deserves the cla**ic tag?

Also, if you can think of a release, let us know why you think it´s cla**ic?

PEACE
Supafly