Tuesday] November 9, 1999 23 I SIGNAL Mos Def-initely a hip-hop classic

Micheal Carter Black on Both Sides shows Mos troversy on one song in particular. Contributing Writer DePs ability tocapture your attention "Rock and Roll." On this track Mos lyrically as well as displaying his rips into several "legendary" musi­ musical depth by playing live iastru- cians, and proclaims that due credit ments on the soulful track "UMI says" was not giving to the true creators of It is a special occurrence when and " May-December [Mos plays the rock and roll music. He declares, an artist comes along and not only congos, drums, bass and xylophone]. "Elvis Presley ain't got no soul. Bo captivates a musical genre, but also DJ PrcmierXH keys, Shawn J Period. Diddley is rock and roll, you may dig demands the attention of a generation Ali Shahced Muhammad and DJ on the Rolling Stones but they didn't ofhuman beings. The Beatles, Jimmy handle the production on the album. come up with that sh'ton their own". Hendrix, Aretha Franklin, James The second track, entitled "Hip- The entire album is 18 tracks Brown, Marvin Gaye all accom­ Hop," produced by Diamond for long and keeps your attention plished these feats. Unfortunately D.I.T.C., comes roaring at the listener. from beginning to end. The feel though this past decade, or better yet, "My restlessness is my nemesis, its of Black on Both Sides can be "generation X" is better known for a hard to really chill and sit still com­ summed up with this verse from legacy of increased violence, tension mitted to page I write a rhyme some­ the Primo blessed track "Math­ and the overall loss of direction po­ times won't finish for days" through ematics." litically, socially and musically.There­ his lyrics the listener can feel Mos "There's one universal law. fore, it is a welcome blessing when DePs commitment to hip-hop. But two sides to every story an artist can transcend this forebod­ The overall theme of the album Three strikes and ing label and reach individuals on a is the diversity of Black music in You're bitten for life. universal level. Lauryn Hill most re­ America, from rock, jazz, soul and Mandatory, cently proved that soul and hip-hop hip-hop music. Four MC's murdered music are not dying down anytime Other notable tracks arc "Ms. In the last four years, soon, and took you on a journey of Special | Signal Fatbooty" a clever story of the court­ I ain't tryin' to be the fifth spirituality, love, pain and growth. On ing of a beautiful woman, "Do it When the millennium is here, October 12, 1999 Mos DePs album tor in rediscovering consciousness, bums such as De La Soul's "Stakes is Now" feat. Busta Rhymes, "New Yo. there's six million way to Black on Both Sides was released. spirituality and social change in hip- High" in which he appeared on the World Water." "Mr. Nig*@" feat. Q die. The date is important because twenty hop. track Big Brother Beats. Mos also ap­ Tip, "Climb" feat. Vinia Mojica and From the seven deadly thrills. years from now people will be look­ Mos Def is practically a legend peared on die Roots most successful "Know That" feat. Talib Kweli. Eight year-olds gettin' found ing back at this album as the begin­ synonymous with spiritual and rel­ to date album "Things Fall Apart" in "Mathematics," produced by DJ Pre­ with nine mills. ning of a spiritual and musical jour­ evant lyricism amongst the "under­ which he flows melodically and in mier is perhaps the most outstanding It's 10 p.m. where your seeds ney of a man not just another album. ground" hip-hop scene. Mos was able perfect cohesion with Black Thought track on the album. at? This man could be an important fac­ to shine on other notable artists al­ on the track "Double Trouble." Mos Def also comes with con­ What's the deal?"

Where on earth can you find the theme Aong Sole shines from Dione Davis After years of networking and many ™ M 7 Staff Writer failed projects Sole was introduced to producer Tricky Stewart. From the first time J.T. Money's This debut project depicts the fiery track "Who Dat" was heard the many faces of Sole: the lover, the hip-hop world had one question. Who mother, the rapper and at times the was the new beauty with rhymes woman ready to throw blows if she is tough enough to compliment south- not treated right. em rap's newest hard hitter? Sole On the track "4,5,6" (featuring (pronounced So-Lay) is the name the J.T. Money and Kandi Burruss from talented rapstrcss accepts who initially Xscape), the issue of infidelity is in­ captures attention with savoir-faire troduced where Sole' bluntly states, and later with her ruthless lyrical abil­ "Why eat a burger when you got steak ity. and potatoes at home." Other hot Sole (which means sun in tracks include "Iy Yi Yi"(featuring French) shines brighter than most of Miss Toi) hip-hop's version of the contenders she will face in the rap Thelma & Louise, and "We've Been game. With natural sex appeal, pen­ Trying Too Long" (featuring Big etrating lyrics, and her niche for nar­ Gipp of the Goodie Mob) where two rative style rhymes, Sole possesses the lovers call it quits. In "Never Thought main ingredients needed to stay afloat I," Sole displays a more intricate style in the shady rap business. Sole, who comparable to the late Notorious boasts of her Native American heri­ B.I.G. • . . On No Angel« the debut album from Dido* tage appears to have inherited the traits Skin Deep is likely to be well Featuring of a chief, or shall we say, "chieftess." received by lyrical appreciators. She cleverly manages to be com­ With good production and wit, the manding, sensual, and intelligent album proves that Sole is more than without being labeled as just another just a pretty face in a business hip-hop harlot. This former shy girl where nice looks and sexuality here uiibh me does not ask for respect she takes it. equal multi-platinum sales. As a (Theme from "RoAwell" - Kansas City was the stomping maturing artist, Sole' should not the hot new AIIOW on The WB Network) grounds where young Sole paid her waste her potentiality on unimpor­ dues as part of a duo called Divine tant themes that have been heard managed by her father. Sole's career one time too many. The focus should Available at Comer Compact DI'AC. did not begin to fall into place until be on developing her lyricsso that she after she attended college where she won't fall off or blend into the less www.arUta.com MoHOfimrHl: Peter Leak (or Tttc N«w York End. Lid. 1999 ARISTA RECOROS ISC. AlNlfOf BMC studied to become a music teacher. creative genre of hip-hop.