REQUIREDAUDIO HEARD BEFORE THE HERD TEXT BYJOEL MARASIGAN Califormula Mash Up Radio Vol. 2 Funkmaster Flex Carshow Tour Right About Now Ellay Khule Dj Muggs/DJ Warrior Funkmaster Flex (The Official Sucka Free Mix CD) Here’s an album for the hip and I didn’t think the first Mash Up There’s no doubt that Funkmaster Talib Kweli those that can smell hot shit before Radio Mixtape could be topped, but Flex has access to the hot shit. This Talib is fresh off his “Beautiful it’s even a fart. The early ‘90s I should get punched in the face for project alone boasts top-notch rap- Struggle” album with a mixtape. It’s “Project Blowed” album truly assem- thinking otherwise. I thought that pers: 50, Paul Wall, Cam’ron, Juelz actually more of a compilation of bled the best and most ahead-of- the first one was really good and it Santana, Mobb Deep, Nas, Jadakiss, cuts with random artists than it is a their-time Los Angeles MCs. Blowed- seemed that it’d be a cool, occa- Elephant Man, Xzibit, David Banner, blend or “DJ Clue” type tape. On this ian Ellay Khule takes a break from sional, mediocre, production among others. If, in fact, you don’t episode, you’ll find a couple about- the stage and hits the studio to release. I really should get punched listen to music, you must be into to-blow artists (Rhymefest, Jean blow a mic or two. Khule’s lyrics and in the face for my short-sighted- cars. (Honestly, it’s highly unlikely Grae) respected undergound cadences, painted over Nobody and ness. In short, if you like any of you don’t listen to music…why else emcees (MF Doom, Planet Asia, Phil Omid beats, is a more European hip these groups, buy this CD. Big would you be reading Required da Agony) and Blown (Mos Def, hop style. It’s mystical, mysterious, Timers, Weezer, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Audio in 2nr?) FMF has done you a Common, Q-Tip). There’s a certain two-stepish, and layered and shows Audio Slave, Game, Kasabien, G- favor and popped in a DVD contain- style and target for the Talib audi- that he’s the same rapper he was Unit, Citizen Cope, Nas, Korn, Biggie ing footage from his Custom Car and ence—mostly you have to be on a over 10 years ago. He’s still got phe- Smalls, Pink Floyd, Kanye West, Bike Show tour. FMF always does it “love yourself” tip. Both he and Mos nomenal “throw-your-hands-in-the- Black Diamonds, 50 Cent, Rage big: David Banner, Missy, T.I., Young have been doing that since ’98. For air” choruses that are so catchy you Against The Machine, Louis The XVI, Buck, Lloyd Banks, 50, Xzibit, me, his rap braggadocio and must chant along. His metaphors, D-12, Tool, 311, Nine Inch Nails, Gza, Webbie, Cam’Ron, Jim Jones, Juelez cadence can get tiring, but his intro- similes and wordplay—elements Sneaker Pimps, Common, Sublime, Santana, Swizz Beatz, Wyvlef, Busta, duction of artist pairings makes half that used to rank rappers on the Gang Starr, The Clash, Lil' Flip and a Jermaine Dupri, DMX, Melyssa Ford, of “Right About Now” right for now. pan-flasher/legendary scale are still Perfect Circle. Forget about the Dame Dash, Fat Joe, Lil Wayne, Baby, on point. Assisting in the carnage West, The Cali Untouchables do it and a lot of dancing Onion Booty are fellow Blowed-ians Aceyalone, like nobody else. DjWarrior.com, bitches. It’s only a little over 30 min- 2Mex, Abstract Rude and Busdriver. MashUpRadio.com. utes, but damn it’s a good look and Projectblowed.com HipHopWest.com the bonus features are no joke. Funkmasterflex.com 34.www.importtuner.com.