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Galactic branches out with hip-hop
Over the years, Bonnaroo mainstay Galactic have shared stages with forward-thinking hip-hop groups such as Jurassic 5 and the Roots, and even backing fellow N’awlins son Juvenile. Now, in the wake of losing their vocalist Theryl DeClouet, the funk-jammers are going all Brand New Heavies and collaborating with a slew of indie rappers.
Some of the MCs Galactic are working with include Chali 2na, Gift of Gab, Mr. Lif, Lyrics Born, Boots Riley from the Coup, Lateef the Truth Speaker and Ladybug Mecca, along with New Orleans musicians Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews and Mardi Gras legend Big Chief Joseph "Monk" Boudreaux. The sessions are set to be released this fall through a to-be-determined label.
Sage Francis helms “Human the Death Dance”
‘Tis the season of great white rappers! Following anticipated releases by El-P and Brother Ali (who, granted, is albino), Sage Francis returns with a new album of spoken-word-styled rhymes and Ernest Hemingway-sized manifestos. The Providence, Rhode Island citizen will soon release his third major album (and umpteenth overall), Human the Death Dance.
"With all the work Epitaph plans on putting into this record, I suspect it will break the 100,000 point, which is something I have never done. Fingers are crossed," writes Francis on his website. "The material on this album is strong as hell. I have to say…there are Personal Journals moments…there are Hope moments…there is ONE Healthy Distrust moment…and the rest is probably the stuff I will be most remembered by."
Guests featured on Human the Death Dance include eccentric folk stylist Jolie Holland, character rapper Buck 65 and trumpeter/movie composer Mark Isham (Crash, The Cooler). Several of Isham and Francis’ collaborations will appear in Pride & Glory, a forthcoming drama about New York police corruption starring Ed Norton and Colin Farrell. Human the Death Dance hits stores via Anti/Epitaph on May 8.
Snowgoons bring “German Lugers” to America
In recent years Americans have heard hip-hop from the UK (Roots Manuva, Lady Sovereign), Japan (DJ Krush, Teriyaki Boyz), Canada (K-os, Buck 65) and even Australia (Macromantics). But next month, Babygrande will bring the Snowgoons, a quartet of German producers (Det, DJ Illegal, Torben and DJ Waxwork), over to America. Their debut, German Lugers, is set for release on February 27.
German Lugers…corny, right? But check out the crazy guest list: Sean Price, O.C., Edo G., Living Legends, Rasco, Chief Kamachi, Last Emperor, Jus Allah, El Da Sensei, Wise Intelligent, Reef The Lost Cauze, Doujah Raze, MED, Craig G., Celph Titled, Baby Blak, Pumpkinhead, Afu-Ra, Wordsworth …the list goes on and on. With over twenty MCs on tap, the album is one big massive cipher.
Wu-Tang Clan reunites for “8 Diagrams”
On December 22, Street Records Corporation CEO and rap industry legend Steve Rifkind cooly announced that he signed Wu-Tang Clan to a one-album deal. "I just got off the phone from Divine and RZA from Wu-Tang. We are joining forces for one more album," he said in a memorable YouTube video. "Wu-Tang and Steve Rifkind are back in business together."
A month later, plans are solidifying for the fabled Clan’s fifth album, 8 Diagrams. “People want something that gives them an adrenaline rush,” said RZA in a press release. “We’re here to supply that fix. How could hip-hop be dead if Wu-Tang is forever? We’re here to revive the spirit and the economics and bring in a wave of energy that has lately dissipated.”
RJD2 & Busdriver expand tour schedule
It didn’t make sense. Why would Busdriver, one of the most acclaimed rappers of recent years, opt to do an indie-rock tour with Deerhoof ? And true, RJD2 set out to make an indie-rock album with the forthcoming The Third Hand. But couldn’t he have put together a bill that would entice his conservative ol’ rap fans to try some of his new material?
Well, fear not. RJD2 and Busdriver are not only joining forces, but venturing out to cities that weren’t initially scheduled. Busdriver will still open on Deerhoof’s Friend Opportunity tour, and then he’ll join RJD2. After a break for SXSW (Busdriver isn’t scheduled to be there, but that may change), the two musicians will soldier on together until April 23.
Little Brother loses 9th Wonder, may leave Atlantic
Little Brother, the acclaimed Raleigh, North Carolina trio, is now down to two members. In a January 27 story on HipHopGame.com, Big Pooh and Little Brother manager Big Dho revealed that rising producer 9th Wonder is no longer in the group.
"Little Brother has decided, in the best interest of the group, for Little Brother and 9th Wonder to part ways," said Big Pooh, who shares the group with Phonte Coleman. "There are no hard feelings and no beef. This is just a decision that had to be made so all three of us could move forward and continue to provide the world with dope music."
Big Pooh and Big Dho also revealed that they are trying to leave Atlantic Records. "First, I want to say that Little Brother has not been dropped from Atlantic," he told the hip-hop website. "At this time we are in the process of negotiating our release from the label due to a difference in philosophies."
Free Chrome Children from Stones Throw
Stones Throw has done it again. Today the fan-friendly indie rap label will issue Chrome Children 2 for free. It follows Madlib & Talib Kweli’s Liberation, an internet-only EP posted on the Stones Throw website for just a week (and is no longer available).
Much like its predecessor, last fall’s Chrome Children, this compilation is a collaboration with frat-boy haven Adult Swim. The first edition sampled from the label’s roster; Chrome Children incorporates close associates like Four Tet, Dabrye and West Coast hip-hop legend Arabian Prince.
Chrome Children 2 will only be available on Adult Swim and Stones Throw for a month, so get your download pronto.
Jedi Mind Tricks bring jihad to America
If you visit Jedi Mind Tricks’ MySpace page, you’ll find essays such as "30 Facts about Islam" and "Jedi Mind Tricks vs. Christianity," the latter a response to negative comments such as this Pitchfork review. "When the average person thinks of conservative Christians, they automatically think of Jesus," writes rapper Vinnie Paz, who shares the group with Stoupe. "When I attack their ideas and politics, I use Jesus (Isa) as a metaphor for modern Christianity and it’s stronghold on Amerikkkan culture. I apologize if I’ve offended or confused anyone along the way."
Certainly a pair of white hip-hoppers who post chapters from the late Elijah Muhammad’s virulently anti-white Message to the Blackman in America embrace contradiction. Over five albums, they’ve mixed cosmology and religion with violent and weed-blurred battle rhymes promoting conspiracies, drug use and hardcore sex. Mainstream pubs dismissed the group for years, but they were forced to pay attention when Jedi Mind Tricks’ Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell topped the Billboard Heatseekers chart last September.
Jedi Mind Tricks are currently touring in Europe, but they’re coming back to America for a series of concerts in March. The dates are below.
Waxploitation, Save Darfur tour raises funds for humanitarian efforts
Waxploitation isn’t just the management arm of Gnarls Barkley. For the past three years, the LA-based company has waged a public campaign to draw attention to the Darfur conflict.
The Darfur conflict began in 2003 when bands of rebels, which have since coalesced into the Sudanese Liberation Army and the Justice and Equality Movement, launched attacks against garrisons of the Sudanese military. In response, the government enlisted militias known as the Janjaweed to conduct reprisals. As the conflict mushroomed into a national crisis, hundreds of thousands of people were killed, and over two million displaced from their homes, according to United Nations estimates. All sides of the conflict, including the Sudanese government, have been accused of war crimes and genocide.
In 2004, Waxploitation issued Genocide in Sudan, a compilation that raised humanitarian funds for people affected by the Darfur conflict. One of its best tracks was "Paint by Numbers," a collaboration between Murs and Danger Mouse. It also began holding a benefit auction on Ebay. Now in its third year, this year’s Charity Auction for Darfur began on January 12. All of the proceeds will go to Oxfam, Save Darfur Coalition and Human Rights Watch. The auction ends on February 4.
In related news, a coalition of activists led by Seattle rapper Alexander "Alexipharmic" Hallett organized the Save Darfur Tour, a nationwide trek featuring several underground rap groups. Some of the tour’s sponsors include Scion, Playboy and Bebo.
Vadim is “The Sound Catcher”
It’s been a long journey for DJ Vadim. The Russian-born, UK-bred producer first came to attention over a decade ago, thanks to mind-bending joints like "Abstract Hallucinating Gases." His second album, 1996’s U.S.S.R. Repertoire (The Theory of Verticality), is one of the best albums from the downtempo/post-Shadow period, taking deconstructionist turntablist techniques to absurdly minimalist conclusions. The years since have seen him evolve into a proponent of less-rigorous quietude; "Your Revolution," his controversial 1999 collabo with Sarah Jones, was a particular high point.
For most of that time, when not releasing new product on his now-defunct imprint Jazz Fudge, Vadim was rocking with Ninja Tune. With The Sound Catcher, however, Vadim is switching over to UK future soul imprint BBE. It makes sense: his last joint as a member of the group One Self (with Yarah Bravo and Blurum 13), Children of Possibility, seemed out of place amidst Ninja Tune’s harder electronic sounds. Considering Vadim’s new soulful direction, BBE is a natural fit.
So why should xenophobic Yanks care about this? Well, in a press release Vadim promises that The Sound Catcher is "by far my most concise, precise and best work to date," one that brings his restless experimentation to fruition. And everybody likes good music, right? The Sound Catcher is slated for April 16 in the UK, with a U.S. release shortly thereafter (if not on the same day).
Kanye West back in studio, studying for “Graduation”
I don’t care that Kanye West is making a show with Seinfeld’s producers or is throwing some temper tantrum at a European awards show (although Justice’s comeback was pretty funny). I let the pop culture dorks document his flipping-out-brat antics. But Kanye West actually earning a living by making new music? That’s news to me.
Yep, Kanye is back in the studio working on what will eventually be called Graduation, the third chapter in his ongoing advanced education saga. According to a recent story on Billboard.com, the album is already slated to feature every mainstream rapper’s favorite rocker, Chris Martin of Coldplay, whom will star on the tentative first single "Homecoming." (Past artists in the "mainstream rapper’s favorite rocker" position include John Mayer, Alanis Morissette, Limp Bizkit, etc.) Also featured is multi-instrumentalist Jon Brion, who helped produce Kanye’s Late Registration. Hopefully Graduation won’t be as over-produced as that chestnut, which mistook The College Dropout‘s grace and elegance for histrionic pretension.
But hey, enough sarcasm. Though he sometimes overdoes it, Kanye West is a great artist, one of the best of the new millennium, making his third album a major event. Graduation is tentatively scheduled for later this year — probably late summer/fall.
Q-Tip delivers “The Renaissance”
Anyone who witnessed A Tribe Called Quest on the 2K7 Sports Bounce tour last fall witnessed an amazing hip-hop experience…no, an old school hip-hop revival. I mean, even Jarobi was there. Here in Atlanta at the Tabernacle, you could literally … Continue reading
Joell Ortiz debuts with “The Brick”
2007 is supposed to be the year that New York street rappers make a comeback. So who’s first up to bat? Joell Ortiz, a Brooklyn MC and mixtape linguist who’s garnered positive feedback for much of this decade, from a spot in The Source’s "Unsigned Hype" column to much love from New York jocks like Kayslay and Whoo Kid. His debut album, The Brick (Bodega Chronicles), is coming out via indie Koch Records, a label that’s getting newfound respect courtesy of Jim Jones (who would’ve thought?). It hits stores on April 24.
Some of the guests on The Brick include Immortal Technique, M.O.P., Ras Kass, Grafh, Maino, Big Daddy Kane and Stimuli. Beats come courtesy of the Alchemist, Showbiz and Lil Fame from M.O.P.
In a press release, Ortiz says, "It?s a soundtrack to the hood version of David vs. Goliath. That?s the best way to describe it. If you?ve ever gone through some rough waters, this album is for you. It?s the common man?s music. Industry people, so-called ?cool guys? and ?posers,? don?t get this music and they never will. It?s not for them. It?s for us."
Pharoahe draws gun, waits for “Desire”
When will Pharoahe Monch’s album come out? It’s been eight years since 1999’s Internal Affairs, and nothing but promises since. In 2001 there was the "Agent Orange" single, which was supposed to kick off a Rawkus album that never came out. Then there was talk about him signing with Def Jam (or was it Aftermath? Can’t remember). Then he signed with SRC/Universal, and dropped "Push" last year as the prelude to the long-awaited Desire. Nearly two years in the making, it’s already been pushed back numerous times.
In the meantime, Pharoahe is keeping the rap heads chattering with an Internet-only video, "Gun Draws." It’s written from the viewpoint of a bullet, but that’s nothing new: remember the mid-90s trend when rappers used to personify guns? (See Nas.) But hey, it’s Pharoahe, and it’s a nice track.
Lifesavas bring “Gutterfly”
Man, people always sleep on the Northwest scene. Yeah, everyone laughs at Sir Mix-A-Lot, but that didn’t keep Lil Wayne from biting his style on Dedication II. And what about Grayskul, Vitamin D and the mighty Oldominion crew?
Well, no one takes Lifesavas for a joke. In 2003 their first album, Spirit in Stone, drew major notice and respectable sales, thanks to its release on Quannum Records. Their new album, Gutterfly: The Original Soundtrack, will take it to the next level. It’s a full-fledged blaxploitation musical a la Prince Paul’s A Prince Among Thieves. Vursatyl (Bumpy Johnson), Jumbo (Sleepy Floyd) and DJ Rev Shines (Jimmy Slimwater) play characters who, according to the bio, "fight their way out of the perilous confines of a mythologized Portland, Razorblade City, in away that’s reminiscent of the creation myth behind man a hip-hop partnership in the history of the genre (from OutKast to Tribe Called Quest)."
In addition to beats from MC/producer Jumbo, Jake One, Oh No and Vitamin D contribute tracks. The guest list ranges from rap vets Camp Lo, Smif ‘N Wessun and dead prez to black rock giants Fishbone and Vernon Reid. Gutterfly: The Original Soundtrack is scheduled for release on April 24.
Ras Kass petitions for label freedom
Okay, we’re a little slow here at Plug One. I’ve got a full-time job (as a real journalist, mind you), and so does most of my crew. So we don’t always post the latest bloggerati crazes when they pop off. But that doesn’t mean we don’t know about them, seen?
So as I learn to post things in a timely fashion (i.e. not take over a week to write up newsy items), I look for inspiration from around the Web. Today I noticed via hiphopdx.com that Ras Kass is circulating a petition requesting his release from Priority/Capitol Records/EMI.
Who cares about Ras Kass anymore? Back in 1996 he was one of leading voices in hip-hop, banging out classics like "Nature of the Threat" and Soul on Ice. But after 1998’s Rassassination he hasn’t been able to release any material on Priority besides a few promo singles (including "Home Sweet Home," which touched off beef when producer Alchemist subsequently re-sold the beat to Jadakiss for the hit single "We Gonna Make It"). Two slightly different promo versions of his third album, Van Gogh and Goldyn Child, circulated in 2001. Neither saw proper release.
Hall of Fame elects Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five
I don’t like to make a big deal of "hip-hop firsts." After all hip-hop culture is such an international phenomenon that even your grandmoms knows about it.
Today, however, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five became the first hip-hop act elected to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. (And no, hipster dummies, Blondie doesn’t count.) The Bronx sextet — Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel, Scorpio/Mr. Ness, Kid Creole, (the late) Cowboy and Raheim — joined a 2007 slate that also includes R.E.M., Patti Smith, Van Halen and the Ronettes. That, my friends, is pretty cool.
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R.A. the Rugged Man hits the road
Every music conclave has its underrated cult favorites. Pop kids have Pink. Rockers have Butch Walker. Emo-metal kids have the Deftones. Indie hipsters have…well…the whole fucking genre. And hip-hoppers have R.A. the Rugged Man.
Who is R.A. the Rugged Man? He recorded an underground classic with Biggie back in the day ("Cunt Renaissance"). He makes weird and trashy cult movies and used to write a column for Mass Appeal. (Does he still do it? I don’t know…I stopped reading the magazine a while ago. And no, I’m not dissin’.) And he’s a dope MC that sort of sounds like your pappy bitch-slapping you. And now he’s coming to a stage near you…depending on where you live.
2007 brings Kweli and Madlib’s “Liberation”
On New Year’s Eve, fan favorite Stones Throw closed an amazing 2006 by posting a free album in tandem with Talib Kweli’s Blacksmith Music Label.
The album, a collaboration between Kweli and mystery achiever Madlib, is called Liberation. Kweli has talked up the nine-track EP-length set on his MySpace page for months. As recently as December 5, he wrote, "So I know I know, I said Liberation will be out in November. I like to be a man of my word and believe me, I really tried! There are just politics with putting out a free album that I wasn’t ready for. Everyone has to be on the same page, and I got a lot of business on my plate right now." But all’s well that ends well.
Liberation, which can be downloaded for free here (with additional artwork) and here is, in Kweli’s words, "a straight ahead, sample driven hiphop record, from two of the best doing it." It marks his second underground release following the Blacksmith: The Movement mixtape in November. His new album, Eardrum, was scheduled for release last fall; it is now tentatively set for February. Meanwhile Madlib is working on a new Madvillain collabo with MF Doom.
Cage hates the road, loves cupcakes
Former Agent Orange-turned-Definitive Jux star Cage is heading on the road for a 22-city tour through the eastern United States, including dates in the East, Midwest and South. His touring companions? First there’s Yak Ballz, an emcee best known for associations with Bobbito (via Fondle ‘Em) and Def Jux fam (Definitive Jux Presents II), and who dropped his second album Scifentology last year. Slow Suicide Stimulus, the New Jersey rap quartet featuring former Artifacts rapper Tame One and Dusted Dons, will be promoting last year’s self-titled debut.
The concerts, lovingly titled the "I Hate It" tour, will provide audiences with new material from Cage’s upcoming album Depart from Me. It will also introduce CupCake, a crew of ladies who are releasing a DVD called, coincidentally, I Hate It. Judging from a trailer posted on CupCake’s MySpace page (and the softcore website GodsGirls.com, where they pose as models), they’re a cross between Suicide Girls and Jackass, and display lots of titties, tattoos and stupid pranks. Cage’s skatepunk and knucklehead fans will love them.