The Rap Up #1 - March 2009
By: Charlie Hearn, Dan Monsell
Whilst those of us blessed with the necessary job titles to up sticks and jet off to SXSW have fled the country at the drop of a ten gallon hat, spring has arrived bang on cue back here in Blighty. The warmer weather has brought some seasonal changes in direction, just in time to enrich the first ever Rap Up (shut it, we love that name) with a glorious array of new Hip Hop releases.
[J DILLA]
Last month was the 3 year anniversary of J Dilla's passing (RIP), and the legendary producer famous for influencing countless respectable Hip Hop types (including a certain Mr. Kanye West) is having his musical legacy celebrated with a series of releases, the first of which is Dillanthology: Volume 1 on K7 at the end of this month. This series of compilation discs sets out to try and document the different aspects of Dilla's production techniques as they developed throughout his career. One of the modern producers most notably influenced by Jay Dee's pioneering sampling techniques is 9th Wonder who has blessed new face Shaya with a peach of a beat perfectly suited to the change in climate. You better get onto it before these cursed British skies default back to their clichéd grey... I think I might have spoken too soon; it's available to stream right here, free of charge.
[RAPPER BIG POOH]
Former Little Brother member Rapper Big Pooh returns to form with a unique release for his new album entitled The Delightful Bars. The album will be made available in 4 different versions, the first of which is the Candy Apple version, available exclusively through iTunes on 24th March. Next month will see the release of the American Pie version, the Japanese Daifuku version and the Belgian Chocolate version (I sh*t you not). It's definitely worth Googling, if only to catch a glimpse of the album's artwork. There's a different sleeve for each version; all featuring well endowed women maintaining their dignity with a selection of confectionary goods.
[BLAK TWANG]
The ever present voice of the UK's black working class is back with a new single, 'So Hard' is taken from Blak Twang's new album Speaking From Xperience. An aptly titled anthem for a nation in the midst of recession, Mr. Rotton is on the money once again with his highly relevant social observations delivered with a south London swagger. If you're unfamiliar with one of UK Hip Hop's mainstream shy heroes then beg, borrow or steal a copy of his debut Dettwork Southeast, and expect Roots Manuvaesque slang weaved over a far more traditional Hip Hop set up. For extra brownie points go and see what you think of the singles b-side 'A Tale Of Two Cities' featuring Kanye West endorsed Rhymefest. Both can be found on Blak Twang's MySpace.
[ESLAM JAWAAD]
Sticking with a UK theme, I want to introduce you to Eslam Jawaad, a man who used to be involved with the Lebanese Mafia until a deal involving the sale of a Mammoth tusk turned sour and he decided to relocate to London and try his hand at rapping... your guess is as good as mine, obviously a canny fella. Now he drops science over Middle Eastern tinged big beat Hip Hop that sounds just as good on your portable stereo as a clubs PA. I particularly recommend De La Soul hook up 'Rewind DJ', which uses a cleverly looped Aaliyah vocal sample to produce a song that sounds more like what De La have been aiming for in their new material than anything they've put out themselves. MySpace? Here.
[ASHER ROTH]
Finally, there's no way I could go the whole March Rap Up without giving a little mention to the man of the moment, your mum's favourite rapper (his words, not mine) Asher Roth. If you haven't heard the debut single 'I Love College' surely you've been on another planet, in another universe, without internet or radio. Taken from Asher's first album Asleep in the Bread Aisle available in the UK 20th April (stay tuned for a comprehensive album review) on Universal Motown, he's America's worst kept secret and best commercial crossover since Eminem tamed his foul language and started making radio friendly singles asking us what his name is. If you don't know, get to know, Asher has a big presence on the web, at the click of a button you'll find yourself sifting through pages and pages of backpacker blogs debating whether the Pennsylvanian A&R dream-come-true has the potential to reach the dizzying heights of his afore mentioned predecessor. MySpace.