Review Archive 3
Southridaz – The World is Ours (Drink A Lot)
Oopy G, Milkman and Mr Marco Polo came together on this project to put out one hell of a debut.
Even though this EP only had 4 tracks, if marketed properly it would have redefined Hip Hop in South Africa. Oopy G (the playa/pimp), Milkman and Mr Marco Polo (lyrical genius) presented an EP that was both experimental and bumping. Tracks like “The World is Ours” made Big Dre and Lady of Shame giggle with excitement. “The Girls Get H****” made the speakers exhausted with it’s inaudible bass and
Milkman’s lustrous lyrics made woman literally drop their ******. Mr Marco Polo made other would be lyricists consider becoming labourers instead.
Cape Hip Hop Classics Vol1 (Black Noise Records)
First of all I hope that people are going to check this cassette out, because it proves that Cape Town has a strong hip hop history. The Cool Out Crew, SOS and Jam B come off well but it was Organised Rhyme that had my eyes open. I play “Ourtime” by Organised Rhyme almost daily. When I got this cassette I expected same ol same but what I got was a piece of history. As the title states…Classic!
Hypnotize Camp Posse – Various Artists (Loud Records)
The Three Six Mafia and their friends bring out this compilation album that showcases fat ghetto beats and gangster stories.
The whole compilation is dope if you don’t mind the gangsta style that they portray. On Azz & Tittiez the Hypnotize Camp Posse bring an extremely phat track with a bass heavy beat that will have you singing along. Never mind the lyrics, this track has got to be one of the dopest South shit I’ve heard in a long time. You need to play this loud in order to appreciate this. I know I’m gonna play this at the club. I also liked We Aint Playing by Gangsta Boo & Koopsta Knicca. On Don’t Make Me Kill Lord Infamous featuring Killa Klan bring a crazy ill track that just make this album doper. Oh and before I forget the second dopest track on here after Azz & Tittiez is Don’t Trust ‘Em by Crunchy Black and T Rock.
If you like that South shit and you if you like banging beats then you need to peep this. I know a lot of people might not appreciate this kind of stuff in terms of lyrical content but the beats are just phat man. Don’t forget to pick up the Three Six Mafia’s When The Smoke Clears as well.
Track Listing
- Rinky Dink Records (Skit)
- We Bout To Ride – Hypnotize Camp Posse
- Drive By – Project Pat
- Azz & Tittiez – Hypnotize Camp Posse
- Die A Soldier – Hypnotize Camp Posse
- We Aint Playing – Gangsta Boo and Koopsta Knicca
- Fie It On Up – T Rock Featuring Tear Da Club Up Thugs and La Chat
- Big Mouth Big Talk – Pastor Troy and T Rock
- What’s Going On (skit)
- D Sucking H – Gangsta Boo and Juicy J
- Don’t Make Me Kill – Lord Infamous featuring Killa Klan
- Don’t Trust Em – Crunchy Black and T Rock
- Who Run It – Three Six Mafia
- Project Hoes – La Chat Featuring Project Pat and T Rock
- Da First Date – Tear Da Club Up Thugs and Koopsta Knicca
- Hoes Can Be Like N****z – La Chat
- Outro (skit)
The Genius/GZA – Liquid Swords (Geffin)
"Rza razor Rza ravor sharp!" The next chapter in the Wu Tang saga continues with the Genius aka Gza aka Maximillion dropping his second solo album (his first "Words from the Genius"). Ever since the Wu started out as a group I knew this was my man. Although everybody and their mother (including my auntie) is suddenly a fan of Method Man. Why does this have to be? Is Johnny Blaze more of a cross-over artist than any of the other Wu Gambino’s? I ask you? The Gza comes at you with sentences and paragraphs full of facts, concepts and rhymes, whereass all the other rappers on the east come with one-liners etc. The Gza’s rhymepattern is so dope that none of the other Wu members will rap after him. You can check for youself no-one raps after him! This guy is a true legend in Shaolin. Labels the first single definitely had record label execs wives wet their panties, with it’s first line diss of Tommy Boy records. Reason for this is that Tommy Boy refused to sign Wu Tang on their label. "…dump that A&R nigga in Atlantic…". The beats from Rza’s Ensoniq ASR-10 on this is definitely experimental. Killah Hills 10304 is a follow up to Lifestyle of a Drug Dealer from his first joing. One thing that I like about this album and specifically Raekwon’s album is that it has got a lot of influence from gangster flicks like Bullet In The Head , The Killer and Scarface . A top notch track that got me going for my ysterpille was Shadowboxin featuring The Meth aka Johnny Blaze. Peep out for Duel Of The Iron Mic , Cold World and 4th Chamber featuring Tony Sparks, Killah Priest and Bobby Ewing oops err… Steeles. B.I.B.L.E. hooked up by the 4th Disciple goes to show that he can come up with some nice stuff. All in all this is what I have been waiting for . I know you won’t listen to this, coz it seems to me that in order for someone to be dope you have to have a catchy tune or BOYZ2MEN singing over your shit. (no diggidy).
Reprinted with permission from Mobshop
The Click – Game Related (Jive/Zomba/Sic Wit It)
The Click, the click…everybody’s got one or belongs to one. Even Aaliyah was down with the click. This specific click has been out since Geto Boys told you to read their Nike’s. For those of you who ain’t knowning, the Click is E-40, B-Legit, D-Shot and Suga-T. Now in ’96 they come with the follow up to their successful debut album: Down and Dirty. The first single runnin’ thangs is Hurrican hooked up by Studio Ton. The radio version has got more bounce to it. This album by the way had a hot shot debut at number 3 on the Billboard charts beating out Coolio’s Gangsta’s Paradise . Out of the four solo tracks by the Click members there is two which takes my fancy e.g. We Don’t Fuck Wit’ It by B-Legit and Boss Baller by D-Shot both produced by Studio Ton. The latter has got a phat guitar riff which is hella tight. Scandalous , a track done by Roger Troutman from Zapp fame, is rumoured to be the second single. This track contains a portion from Computer Love . Extra keyboards on Hot Ones Echo Thru The Ghetto , which first appeared on Tales From The Hood soundtrack, adds some mo’ flava to this mobbin’ track. Other beatmakers include Mike Mosely, Kevin Gardner and Tone Capone. Peep out other tracks like Wolf Tickets , Be About Yo Paper , Rock Up My Birdie and Outta My Body . So get your hurricane ethel, swampwater and put this in your tape deck then you got the good shit!
Reprinted with permission from Mobshop
Showbiz and AG – Goodfella’s (Payday)
Do you remember the critically acclaimed Party Groove EP with the single Soul Clap or the album Runaway Slave with the ultimate single Phat Pockets featuring Black Sheep? No you don’t, well now it’s time to make up for it. We should thank Lord Finesse for hooking up Showbiz and AG otherwise we would not have this luxury. The new album Goodfella’s is all that and fast like your momma’s Mazda 626 on the highway. Although the album is slightly different from the previous, production is still as tight as your aunt in bikers shorts with cellulite showing all over. Production is handled by Showbiz and mic skills is left to AG. Showbiz goes all the way with production on You Know Now , Check It Out and Medicine and practically the whole damn album. There is a surprise, the cut Got The Flava features Method Man who comes correct once again with whatever he touches, for an added bonus Diamond D offers a verse on You Want It which is rather tight. Okay, the track that really gets me open like when I’m taking a shit is Neighbourhood Sickness where Arty Party really overshadows AG bigtime, it too will get you open like a lungcancer patient who will want to hit that blunt one last time, so beware! Although this is one of the most slept on Lp’s ever, you will be disappointed by not getting it. You wonder how disappointed you’ll be, so disappointed like your brother who forgot to set the video recroder to record his favourite programme: Mr Chinwag which he never misses. A definite classic and only for the real.
W.C. and the M.A.A.D. Circle – Curb Servin’ (Payday) Throwing up the double-u…yeah! Once again the Maad Circle’s in this B-e-acth on a new label the third one if you did not know. W.C. started out back in the day in a group called Low Profile on Ice T’s Rhyme Syndicate label with DJ Aladdin, the group soon split up and WC went his own way and started the MAAD Circle including Coolio and Crazy Toones. They came out in the early 1990’s with an album Aint A Damn Thing Changed , which to my standards was hella tight. Unfortunately heads slept on that shit. Now on a new label they continue to bring you that old skool west coast laid back funk with the help of Crazy Toones, Madness for real and Dr Ja, Ice Cube and Rhythm D. West Up is the first track that continues where Westside Slaughter House stopped featuring Mack 10 and Ice Cube. This is one dope ass track hooked up by Crazy Toones. Put On Your Set is where WC jumps TV shows like Fresh Prince, Martin Lawrence and Gladiators. Coolio who was WC’s hype man, pops up on the track In A Twist which has the same groove as Ice Cube’s Don’t Trust ‘Em . If you like slow jams then Homesick is for you, produced by Ice Cube, who keeps surprising me with his production. The title track Curb Servin is anotha bouncy track done by Crazy Toones and Ice Cube containing a sample from Funkadelic. Rhythm D also contributed one track to the album called The Creator . Overall this is an album that can stand with the rest.
Reprinted with permission from Mobshop
Onyx – All We Got Iz Us (Def Jam)
Yeah the grimy faces are back. This album is a worthy follow-up to their debut Bacdafucup this time with only three members. Their 1st single Last Days got me totally open like a tin of Vicks. The whole concept of the album revolves around the threat of the much talked about new world order. This album is a must for all hard headz. Check for 2 Wrongs , Punkmotherfuckaz and Most Def .
Reprinted with permission from Mobshop
Luniz – Operation Stakola (Noo Trybe/C-note)
Many of you out there first heard this duo, namely Yukmouth and Knumskull on the single I got 5 on it, but they were known to peeps in the Bay Area when they were featured on Oaktown pimp, Dru Down’s classic album Explicit Game. The Luni Toonz as they were known then, were heavily featured on this album. This album spawned hits like Ice Cream Man , Rescure 911 and more. Now with a distribution deal with Noo Trybe. The Luniz describe themselves as a crazy comical wild side of gangsta hip hop non playa hata’s. First things first don’t dis coz I gave them 5. This is definately a classic in terms of today’s rap market filled with copycats and freestyle fanatics. A short intro takes you into a Tone Capone track called Put The Lead On Ya featuring Dru Down. The phat joint I Got 5 On It is also featured and is represented with a reprise track featuring new and extra lyrics. N.O. Joe came from Houston with his gumbo funk to give this album some of that phat whip appeal e.g. Pimps, Playa’s and Hustla’s featuring Dru Down and Richie Rich, Operation Stackola and Yellow Brick Road which is a follow up to the previously mentioned Ice Cream Man . The phattest cut on this album is Playa Hata the second single, which was hooked up by EA Ski and CMT. Shock G and DJ Fuse from Digital Underground really shine on here producing 5 tracks between them e.g. Broke Hoes , 5150 , Broke Niggaz and 900 Blame A Nigga . Other producers include Terry T, Gino Blackwell and DJ Darryl. This is an album everybody can relate to, so just chill roll up a phattie an’ let the tanqueray straight have ya!
Reprinted with permission from Mobshop.
EPMD – Back in Business (Def Jam)
Emcees out there, you better stand clear, coz EPMD is the world premier . Remember those famous lines from their debut album entitled Strictly Business ? I never really expected them to come out with another album after their break up but thank God they did. This double vinyl album opens up with Richter Scale which is a dope song but will grow on you for first time listeners. But damn what you heard, coz Da Joint is not the dopest single here, coz if you know the real, then you know that Parrish Smith came off harder than a brick on Jane 5 . KIM features Redman and Keith Murray and will no doubt leave a stain in your pants. But the cream of the crop has got to be You Got’s 2 Chill 97 and did it bring back some good memories.
Black Noise – Questions (Independent)
Yebo, anotha tape that came our way recently was the new Black Noise album Questions . Let me dive into this review like I’ll dive into a Mexican pizza with a glass of papsak (wit wyn). The album starts off with Questions which features Ray on vocals. But let me tell you this album is full of surprises which had me cracking up. Klap n Skoot is anotha dope track talking about the gang problem we have in Cape Town. But it’s tight. There is also a skit that goes like this, This is a Saturday afternoon freestyle session, the voices have been changed to protect the guilty.. you know who you are. This is one of those dope-ass skits which is hella funny. Skills is the track which features Falko Oner rapping at the end. Let me love you and Feel my Flow is Ray’s two solo shots. For those who don’t know, Ray is Black Noise’s R&B vocalist who can give O’Ryan Winter a run for this kroon. My favourite of the two is Feel My Flow, and it’s hard to make a choice between the two. There’s a couple of tracks on here that’s injected with local humour and it’s banging! Ahwooha is such a track and it’s phat like bonking Tyra Banks for seven whole days. "…klompie wannabees vannie Jo’burg/klompie wannabees vannie Kaap…" check it. "’n Bboy wat nie bboy nie se moves is nie lekker nie, ahwooha!". "’n MC wat nie MC nie se rhymes klink nie lekker nie, ahwooha!" Side 2 kicks off with Afrikan Sun which incorporates local African sounds which is sort of a Black Noise trademark. The Civil Lie is sort of a Spearhead type effort with Emile dropping poetry over phat beats. Summercrime is anotha fave of mine, which chorus uses Queen’s Bohemian Rapsody. "Summer I get robbed again, put a gun against my head, took my Adidas and they fled…" nice guys, nice. The beat reminds me of some Jamiriquai, shit. On A Mission is Falko’s version of graffiti bombing mission. Sky One’s name came up also here. The song is really hilarious and the story will be appreciated by graffiti artists. There is also a spraycan being used and shakin’ in the background. The chorus, "…os’ piece hier, os piece daar, os bomb oral, writing till the break of dawn…" The album rounds off with Nobody Knows which features Mike-T-Frank. Only 150 copies are available at R30. It’s worth it.
Reprinted courtesy of Mobshop Publications
O’Ryan Winter – The Dawning
At last O’Ryan’s album is out. Me, myself and a ganga folks have been fiending to hear some of this boys stuff. Let me start off and say that this album is dah bomb! If you know any of the guys who worked on this project you’ll be surprised. Big Tyme! The smash that blew away Cape Town last winter, starts the party off with a bang. Of course mense it is Loves in Need (Of Love Today). Do me a favour and listen to this song at home and not on the radio. It’s dope, okay. This album is real R&B like that lovey-dovey shit. 3:30 (Hofpostthree) features Storm FX and is a nice beat to be bumping in the Old Skool. Storm FX’s rapping has most definately improved. Peep it on this track. It’s ill. Remember my people this is an R&B album! The other track people were talking about was Rhyme Funk Experts (All The Way), which features K-Treble, Burmac and Bratique. Jesus is Love features the Paarl community mass choir, and is a tight cover of the old Lionel Ritchie song. Anotha track to listen out for is Balland For Chante. This album don’t sound local, don’t look local (checkout the cover) and sure as hell won’t want to be associated with no Kaapse sounding klonkies. The first local R&B album I’ve heard that can kick the fat asses of any R&B mutha’s from up north flooding the S.A. market. O’Ryan got the talent, the drive, the image… Now it’s time to get down to the market place for a copy of The Dawning before the cock crows.
Reprinted courtesy of Mobshop Publications
Western Block – Mr Insidious b/w No Jokes No Playin
Long ago in Japan new swords were tested with a piece of wool floating in a stream against it. If the wool was not halved the sword was inefficient. This is what Devious’ lyrical gymnastics reminds me of..a kung fu movie… with all the effects en wat wat… He drops ...The most insidious MC on the block/blowing up the spot, pass the mic and let me rock…" Production and lyrical delivery complement each other. This brotha comes across like someone just took his peanutbutter sandwich from him…real mad! Sounds like this bra is involved in a lyrical gangfight and enjoys every snibbit of it. Interludes are rather reminiscent of Shaolin shadowboxing… but overall the brotha is "authenticity magnified". As far as I am concerned… don’t test him. Pain, the other gambino enters like someone on a Hawaiian beachfront lamming in a hammock…in a kickback mode, yet eminating from his gold-toothed mouth comes stimulating lyrical substance that virtually forces your head into a nod. Like Mr Insidious he does his chorus flows: "…no jokes no playin’/I got pain to maintain/it’s the block Mitchell’s Plain, baby bu’s my name…". The track has a vibe anyone can get into. Together these two hip hop hardheadz drop lyricism unparallelled, with the zenith of each track being the funky chorusses which they themselves chant in a sing-songy, yet hip hop magnificence. I never really believed in Mitchell’s Plain being alldat, but now it’s been proven that the Plain can give birth to true lyrical excellence! These brothers does not come across half-hearted, nor monotonous and believe me, they’ll leave you wide open.
Reprinted courtesy of Mobshop Publications
Nasty Weather – Future of the Funk
If you are into these guys then you probably already have this tape. Famous for running with Lee Downs and his phatjam posse around Cape Town clubs. These cats are from Blue Downs on the other side of Delft. The first single Turn it Up was the introduction to the masses. Though a slight remix of this track appears on the tape, it still does not help this ‘ep’ from dying a slow death. Personally I’m impressed with Kim’s keyboard work. A little bit of work needs to be done on the drums side. A bit of advise guys, stop buying dagga and clothes and invest in some new equipment. Cash Flow the second track, which seems to be everyones favourite track and it’s just that, it’s not your average bomb but just a favourite. Lyricallly Nasty try to copy/bite/jack a lot of other artists styles, deliveries etc. Rumours of Nasty’s album being released in the States is still unfounded. So all you kids who only like Snoop and want something with a Longbeach oops err… local twist buy it. Other heads should borrow it.
Reprinted courtesy of Mobshop Publications
Mixmaster Mike – Unidentrified Essential
I got this tape from DJ Jumanne and when I heard it for the first time I almost busted a nutter on the speaker. You do not have to be a dj to appreciate what this guy does. You’d think that in the first 2 minutes his wrists are broken but he keeps on mixing until there is no tommorow. He starts playing those oldies from Stylistics to Led Zeppelin! Side Two has most hip hop mixed with Blue Grass! Get hold of this tape. I think I will listen to it now. Yes I will!
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