Thanks for Four Years of Awesome
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish
Blogged Around Philly: Farewell Edition
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The Phillyist Staff had so many ways to countdown to 2008 that we found ourselves with quite a few leftovers on this, the final day of 2007. So enjoy this afternoon's glut of lists from your friendly neighborhood bloggers, and we'll see you next year!
2007 was without a doubt a year of challenge for hip-hop. Reports of its demise were on the tip of just about everybody's tongue. Crunk had come and gone, Jay-Z was in retirement, those that came up in the mid-nineties hip-hop hey day rewinding big verses over and over didn't listen to the radio anymore. The dirty party rhymes of the past now nothing but misogynistic trash; yesterday's raw statements on American life in the ghetto became needlessly violent, potentially dangerous minstrel music. After being hailed as the American culture movement of a generation, the bling had lost its luster.
So, with the siren call of Nas’ Iron Butterfly-backed “Hip-hop is dead,” the gauntlet was down for MCs and beat makers to justify their existence. And while there are more than enough examples in the mainstream of a clear answer to this challenge (led by Jay-Z’s return, Kanye’s incredible Graduation, and Common’s Finding Forever), tons of interesting, genre-expanding hip-hop has flourished just under the pop chart’s surface. In interest of equal time, I give you the six most slept on Hip-hop albums of the year. In no particular order:
Little Brother - The Getback
With 9th Wonder gone, resulting in a lack of a constant sound and theme, Little Brother could easily be dismissed as selling out after the disappointing response to their fantastic concept album The Minstrel Show. Well no sirrr. Pooh and Phonte's embracing of multiple producers results in some fantastic evolutions of the Kanye-soul-beat sound along with tons of layback, from the heart, every-man rhymes. Skits have fallen out of favor with the critiques, but I thought the self-deprecating intros fit well with the sounds and reminded me of how great De La Soul once was. An easy recommendation.
Wyclef Jean - Carnival 2: Memoirs of an Immigrant
Wyclef is enviably always hidden under Lauren Hill’s shadow, but a look at his discography shows him to be on the forefront of hip-hop’s avant-garde. He continues pushing his world beat references in Memoirs of an Immigrant, where he collaborates with musicians spanning from T.I. to Paul Simon, from Shakira to Norah Jones. The sounds themselves are just as diverse, from the rocking "Riot" to the thirteen-minute Brazilian party jam "Touch your Button." Plus, the man plays a mean guitar.
Talib – Eardrum, and Madlib – Liberation
Talib, I have to admit, never completely sold me. Sure, he has that whole multi-syllabic thing going on, I feel his politics to the fullest, and Train of Thought has some classic tracks. But ultimately, I always ended up seeing him as Mos Def's slightly annoying little cousin. He just didn’t have that swagger, you know.
Well, this year Talib officially became on of my favorite rappers. I still find myself coming back to Eardrum, his official LP, months after copping it. While still tight with political insights, his context has expanded. He chills with Southern brothers in "Country Cousins," breaks down the religious ideologue in "Give ‘em Hell," and still has time for romancing the ladies in "Hot Thing." And what is more, both when serious and chillful, I believe every word coming out of this brotha’s mouth.
And if you have the time, check out Liberation, Talib and Madlib’s one-off collab. It is an inspiring mash-up of west coast chaos with east coast precision. And what is more… it’s free!
El-P – I’ll Sleep When Your Dead
The Kid A of hip-hop. But would you expect less from one of the founders of Def Jux, one of the premiere indie hip-hop labels in the country? Almost impenetrably dense lyrics and equally deep beats make this a thinker you will be spinning for years to come. My personal favorite is track 9’s "Overly Dramatic Truth," a painful letter to a girl that ultimately must be let go forever. Ain’t for everybody, but if you like a little Pollack in your hip-hop, this album will make you very very happy.
Freeway – Free at Last
Free puts to rest, I think, the debate on what “realness” sounds like. Just take a listen to the hard, hookless "When They Remember," and you will know exactly what I mean. Here is a boi who sounds like he will die the SECOND the mic is pulled from his hands. On every verse Freeway explodes into the mic with his trademark high-pitched articulated flow with an earnestness that is undeniable. But then what else would you expect from a North Philly cat born and bred? Wha Wha!
Saul Williams – The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!
On the edge, but must be acknowledged, if for no other reason than because it, too, can be yours right now for whatever you wish to pay. Taking the Radiohead route, spoken word poet Saul Williams and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails fame have released their baby to the world for whatever you see fit to give them. And what a tormented, deformed little baby it is. A brilliant statement on hip-hop and America, Niggy is chock full of stirring rap/song/poems all set to a soundtrack only Mr. Reznor could create. From straight-ahead hardcore interpretations on Public Enemy on "Tri(nigger)" to the hypnotically gangsta "WTF!," these tracks may in fact forcibly take your breath way. Don’t be scared. The best things in life are free.
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