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: JOEL MARASIGAN

musicreview > HIP HOP IS 2% MILK AND MOSTLY NO PHAT

NIA old-school MC that falls in rank with De la pictures with plastic ridges on the paper Blackalicious Soul, L.O.N.S. and A Tribe Called Quest. allowing one picture to be viewed at a Quannum Projects Classic Del verbal inflections and pauses time)? And to see the movement you Blackalicious reminds me of why I like reminiscent of the “Mr. Dobolina” days would have to rock the image back and hip hop music so much. When these guys throw you to the front of your mind’s forth? Well, Sway and Tech take it one came out with “Swan Lake” back in ’94, I stage, forcing you back to the hypnotic step further by adding one more image knew indie label Solesides had another hand waving and syncing rhythmic “Go Del, making it a triple-picture super-Cracker dope crew to mix and match with label- Go, Del” chants of the early 90s. Del’s Jack surprise. The CD really doesn’t need

mates Dj Shadow, Lateef and Latryx. signature rhyme-style gets a pick-up with a gimmick, but damn it’s fun to play with Blackalicious’ Chief Xcel proves he can the Casual/Domino/Prince Paul/A-plus/El-P while you’re listening. come with ultra-unique, mood-changing (of Company Flow) production combina- beats; it’s The Gift of Gab’s storytelling tions. This album proves you can go TELL EM WHY U MADD skill on the six-and-a-half minute epic “Cliff underground for years to hone skills The Madd Rapper Hanger,” the diction warm-up to “Alphabet through performances, pursue lateral ven- Crazy Cat Catalogue/Columbia Aerobics” on “A to G,” and back-to-the- tures, and then pop out with an LP with Who is the Madd Rapper and how does street b-boy feel on “Beyonder” that capi- the excitement of a new artist. he, an artist that previously appeared on talizes on Xcel’s prowess. The recycling of records as a skit or transition, get a deal a couple of cuts from their EP “A2G” does THIS OR THAT to do a record with proven artists like no damage to the other 16 songs; in fact, Sway & King Tech featuring Dj Revolution Ma$e, Tracy Lee, Puffy, Eminem, Raekwon, knowing they were previously released Interscope Busta Rhymes, Jermaine Dupri, Lil’ Cease, entices me to search for a copy of the Wow. Start collecting the money from and the Beatnuts? It helps to be schizo- first EP. Understand Blackalicious is not the returns of all your “MTV: Party To Go” phrenic, but being one of the Hit Men, the for everyone, but those acclimated to the CDs—there is a sleeper CD I have to let elite production team that makes the taste will enjoy a pleasing euphoria. you in on. The syndicated Wake Up Show’s award-winning music for Puffy’s Bad Boy Sway, Tech and Revolution take the shout- Entertainment, makes for a better excuse. BOTH SIDES OF THE BRAIN out-promotion-intros, mix them with the The Madd Rapper battles himself on “Dot Del tha Funkee Homosapien lesser-known remixes, and freestyles and Vs. TMR (The Mad Rapper).” “Dot” is Hieroglyphics Imperium shape them all into a seamless, mini- Deric “D-Dot” Angelttie—the executive If you thought you had to go to a rave, ”Wake-Up-Show-to-go.” The 32 tracks fully producer that led the album introductions video game convention, or to the Bay to endorse the heavily used club spinning of Ma$e, Faith Evans and Puffy. What’s the catch a glimpse of Del, then think no fur- technique of 30-second minutes—you deal with the TMR? Why is he so mad? ther. Both Sides Of The Brain brings the won’t get a scoop of every single cut but From a schizophrenic standpoint, D-Dot is Funky Homosapien’s third album in 10 rather a sampling of some of the choice the “established” rapper with the “gold years to your local record store. New flavors. The CD’s packaging. Remember rings and things,” TMR is hustling for the bootys should know the Funky one is not a those little Cracker Jack toys that had a deal. No rings. No things. He’s mad. brand-spanking new artist but a seasoned “moving” image (actually TWO separate

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musicreview

J.E. HEARTBREAK heavyweight producers on an album like UPCOMING RELEASES Jagged Edge this makes it easy to gather up the MARCH So So Def/Sony artists. Check the line-up: Del tha Funkee Amel Larrieux - Infinite Possibilities (of If you think Jagged Edge is an R&B Homosapien, Beastie Boy Mike D, Grand Groove Theory fame) Group you are only partially right. The cor- Puba, Sadat X, J-Live, Dj Shadow, Dj Bone-Thug-N-Harmony rect statement would be “Jagged Edge is Quest, Dave of De la Soul, Sean Lennon, Cam’ron Capadonna a DOPE R&B group.” Knowing most of you Money Mark, Dj Kid Koala, and El-P of Co Co Lee - Just No Other Way readers are guys, we’ve included this “All- Company Flow. Prince Paul’s CD is like an Cypress Hill purpose chick CD.” Let’s admit it, not all aural movie, forcing you to listen for risk Dalvin Degrate—Met.A.Mor.Phic (solo girls dig the music you bump, but we do of missing the good parts. While at album by member of Jodeci) know that girls love the slow jams. A times a little abstract, it strays little Kobe Bryant cross between the sounds of Guy and from what is expected from the Prince. L’il Kimin Jodeci, J.E. Heartbreak has all the mood One thing the Handsome Boy Modeling Choclair - Ice Cold music you need when riding with any girl. School hasn’t forgotten that many artists APRIL From the take-away-someone’s-woman have—to have fun with their work. The Big Punisher Strings - The Black Widow song “He can’t Love U,” the wedding ballad CD is definitely fun. 50 Cent - Power of a Dollar “Let’s get Married,” and the ‘we-need-to- Jon B THE HOT BOX >MORE JUICE THAN SNAPPLE

COLUMBIA RECORDS www.columbiarecords.com

DEF JAM RECORDS/ISLAND MUSIC 8920 Sunset Blvd. 2nd Floor Los Angeles, CA 90069 hook-up’ cut “Can I get With You.” J.E. NASTRADAMUS www.defjam.com attempts to claim the limelight of the old Nas HEIROGLYPHICS IMPERIUM N.E. (New Edition). With the platinum Ill Will/Columbia 436 14th St. Suite 808 touch of So So Def exec Jermaine Dupri Ever hear a song that made you roll Oakland, CA 94612 they might get the shine they want. down the windows, turn up the radio, lean www.Heiroglyphics.com Pimpin’ ain’t easy but Jagged Edge makes back and just ride? Well, this CD is that PRIORITY RECORDS the rough times smoother. song—times 15. Nastradamus is 6430 Sunset Blvd straight-up riding music. At 23, executive Hollywood, CA 90028 SO...HOW’S YOUR GIRL? producer Nas, gets a hand up by Rich www.priorityrecords.com Handsome Boy Modeling School Nice (Track Masters), Dame Grease, DJ QUANNUM PROJECTS Tommy Boy Music Premier, Mobb Deep, and Timbaland. www.quannum.com Prince Paul has God-fathered the way Nastradamus gives you cuts that either of skit-style production—a must-do tech- are lyrically strong or musically appealing. SONY MUSIC 11100 Santa Monica Blvd., Ste 400 nique when making a hip hop album. His I won’t lie. I like the music and I like the Los Angeles, CA 90025 team-up with Dr. Octagon producer Dan hooks. I just can’t get with the lyrics. www.sonymusic.com “The Automator” Nakamura solidifies his Maybe if I was from New York. But, oh leaning toward the abstract. Having two well, I be from the West. SO SO DEF www.sosodef.net

TOMMY BOY MUSIC 902 Broadway New York, NY 10010 www.Tommyboy. Com

THE WAKE UP SHOW www.wakeupshow.com

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