Alright I'm back in the place to be, I got something to unload on your ass! I was thinking what could I hit you with next, and it came to me. In my previous post I eluded to Cee-Lo. Well here it goes. Soul Food, that’s right Soul Food. I had to do a piece on this album for several reasons, but the most important is that if I had to do a list of most ‘slept’ on rap albums, this would fall in my top five somewhere around #3. And if this one the most ‘slept’ on albums, I would also have to mention that the group that is responsible for the album includes one of the most, if not the most ‘slept’ on rap artist/mc/musicians/singers, Cee-Lo. I also have to mention that this album possess something that I find to be lacking in many rap albums after its release, that would be social commentary, and an accurate depiction of what I call the ‘Black’ experience. So if you’re ready let’s take this journey!
In order to understand Soul Food, I must run down the list of players. Goodie Mob is a rap group comprised of Khujo, T-Mo, Big Gipp, and Cee-lo. I mentioned in the previous post that the first time you would have heard of them is on Outkast’s Southernplayalisticmusic. In 1995 they released Soul Food. The album was mostly a regional hit, but did branch out of the south. One of the reasons that it reached out of the south is because of their first single, “Cell Therapy” which was accompanied by a video that received descent spins on the video stations. Once you hear “Cell Therapy” you get the idea that their music wasn’t just about rapping for the sake of rapping, but like a good pot of gumbo it was also about taking multiple personalities, mix with social commentary to create something that was not only legitimate rap, but soulful at the same time. I would consider the album to the equivalent of a non-fictional autobiography for what young black Americans were going through at the time, and what they continue to struggle with. With tracks like the intro “Free”, where Cee-lo sings like a deacon on Sunday morning about how we may no longer be slaves physically, but are still slaves mentally! They follow that with what a song that contains “classic”, I do mean “classic verses by Cee-lo, and Andre 3000! The title of the song is aptly titled “Though Process”. I understand I may not mention the other members as much as Cee-Lo, but they do make memorable contributions. For example Big Gipp and T-Mo go off on the track “Dirty South”, which also features Big Boi. Oh yeah as far as I know, and are concerned the phrase “dirty south” was coined by Goodie Mob. The tracks on this album give you everything from how the system is working against us (Cell Therapy, Sesame Street, O.M.N.I, and Fighting) to family concerns and values (Guess Who, Soul Food, I Didn’t Ask To Come, and The Day After). For all the reasons mentioned above I believe this album is a classic, but there is one more element.
Ok now I will talk about the 5th element of this perfect pot of gumbo! I mentioned earlier that I may mention Cee-Lo more than the others, and there is good reason for that. Did I mention that on the track “Fighting” I’ve heard that his verse is a complete freestyle, and he stands on his soap-box like he is 20” feet tall. It is in this verse that he proclaims that Goodie Mob stands for the Good Die Mostly Over Bullshit, and if you take one ‘O’ away it says God Is Every Man Of Blackness. Not only does he hit with gems such as that, he has a plethora of memorable lines, and certified hip hop quotables. And don’t worry you will get at least three more reviews that include Cee-Lo, because his classic material doesn’t stop here. I have at least two more reviews for you to become better acquainted with mister Green. Make no mistake; I’m purposefully not going into too much detail, because I want you to go listen for yourself. If you don’t listen for yourself, then what I say will have little meaning. I want my words to spark a discussion on why my opinion is valid; yes I am being slightly arrogant! Overall the album covers where we have been and where we need to go, and I have to say now days too many artist just talk about mindless ignorance without addressing the social ills that plague the listeners of their music. For that reason Soul Food gets my vote for classic material, and once you listen I think you will agree. Just remember the Good Die Mostly Over Bullshit, the Lord has spoken through me and the G-Mo-B!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Album Review: Outkast Southernplayerlisticadillacmuzik
I finally decided do an album review. Although I hinted in an earlier blog that I would blog about an artist from California. Spoiler alert, I was going review Ice Cube's Amerikkas Most Wanted, but I will save that classic for later. I decided to make the change while I was on my way to the VA today. As I jumped in the car, and looked at my ipod something told me to scroll to Outkast's first work,Southernplayerlisticadillacmuzik, which I though was Southernplayerlisticfunkycadillacmuzik, but thats another subject for another time. To understand how I review this album, you need only ask yourself these simple questions: when, why, and how.
The first important question is when? Outkast first album was released April 26,1994. The importance of the year the album was released is that up until that year the rap scene had been dominated by east coast rappers, and respectable albums had that come from the west coast. Southern rap was considered to be laughable at best by artists from the dominating regions. This doesn't mean that there hadn't been quality rap from the south. There were artist such as the Gheto Boys, UGK, Eighball & MJG, and other regional artists like 2 Live Crew that had minor success. Being from the south I could list others, but it will be a sizeable list. Anyway Outkast first single hit the scene in 1993 with Players Ball, which was originally released on Laface's Christmas album. Ok, before I continue I have to mention that Laface was a record label that was created by record industry vets L.A Reid and Babyface (that's right, the Babyface!) Back to the script, when Player's Ball came out I immediately went out and bought the maxi single. If your from this era you know that a maxi single came with every mix of a particular song possible! I can remember it like it was yesterday, my brother was stationed at a naval base near Jacksonville,FL, and I went to spend the weekend with him shortly after getting the single. I would be remissed if i didn't mention that we played the breaks off that single, so much so that after my weekend trip was over I had to purchase another copy(real shit!). It was amazing feeling, because prior to Outkast, you couldn't tell me I wasn't from Brooklyn. My collection was all Wu-Tang, Nas, Tribe, De La, and the like. It was a great feeling to have a group from my neck of the woods that acted like me, dressed like me, and talked like me. Quick footnote, when I saw the video I was beside myself to say the least! Then 1994 hit and they released Southernplayerlisticadillacmuzik, oh boy!
Now let's get to the nitty gritty, why I think this album is classic. The album begins with an intro from "Peaches", and from the onset she sets the mood for the cd. Once you hear the intro you know that you are about to listen to some pimp ish. Not just pimp in the sense of the content, but beats that lather the ear with a with silky smooth rhythms, and bass guaranteed to rattle your trunk! To second that emotion, Outkast hits you with Myintrotoletuknow, which Big Boi and Andre 3000 give you a teaser of how they feel, and what they are about. If you questioned their rep, they hit you up with Ain't No Thang, where they join together and let you know that "Ain't no thang but a chicken wang!" Within two songs you know that they are 'playa made', and don't think that we are southern we're soft. Honestly the album posses the rare quality that is often lacking in alot of rap albums, you can literally start at the intro, and just walk away. At the same time there are gems on the album that you must pay special attention to. One particular example is "Playa's Ball". For the squares a players ball is a function that gathers all the hustlers and players for what I would call an 'award show' of sorts, but I think that they are actually speaking how a group of like-minded individuals gather to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Another example would be "Funky Ride". I can only describe this song as something to put on as you cruise through Anytown, USA at night with the moon in the sky, and the windows down! The bass contained in this song is something that is a staple of southern music, and this song is full of it. I would say the bass is like gravy in the since that it makes a great dish that much better.If I didn't mention earlier this album is coughee friendly(reference 420), because even if you don't they make you feel as if you have. There is another signifigance to this album, because this is the first time you hear of a little group named Goodie Mob, which you first hear on "Get Up, Get Out". If you pay close attention one of the founding members of Goodie Mob, and Gnarls Barkly does a funny skit at the beginning of the song, where get the feeling there is a difference between Buckhead(a swank part of town that is exclusive), and Bankhead( an area in Atlanta that you should probaly know someone before you go, and not go at night). I will save that for another review. "Get Up, Get Out" stands out, because it gives the listener the montra get up, get out and go do something with your life. Another first appearance is the skit that follows, performed by Big Rube. I have it memorized, because Big Rube defines Outkast(notice the 'K') encouraging you to look deeper than the definition, and look at you self, and whether you as the listener fits in the mold of an outkast. Interestingly enough he encourages you to be different, and question the status quo. There are many songs that I didn't mention, but that doesn't mean that they aren't worth your time, trust me! I consider this to be a classic rap album, and i'm sure you will once you check it out, so 'Get Up, Get Out', and go get it if you don't have it already! Right on to the real, and death to the Fakers, Peace Out!
The first important question is when? Outkast first album was released April 26,1994. The importance of the year the album was released is that up until that year the rap scene had been dominated by east coast rappers, and respectable albums had that come from the west coast. Southern rap was considered to be laughable at best by artists from the dominating regions. This doesn't mean that there hadn't been quality rap from the south. There were artist such as the Gheto Boys, UGK, Eighball & MJG, and other regional artists like 2 Live Crew that had minor success. Being from the south I could list others, but it will be a sizeable list. Anyway Outkast first single hit the scene in 1993 with Players Ball, which was originally released on Laface's Christmas album. Ok, before I continue I have to mention that Laface was a record label that was created by record industry vets L.A Reid and Babyface (that's right, the Babyface!) Back to the script, when Player's Ball came out I immediately went out and bought the maxi single. If your from this era you know that a maxi single came with every mix of a particular song possible! I can remember it like it was yesterday, my brother was stationed at a naval base near Jacksonville,FL, and I went to spend the weekend with him shortly after getting the single. I would be remissed if i didn't mention that we played the breaks off that single, so much so that after my weekend trip was over I had to purchase another copy(real shit!). It was amazing feeling, because prior to Outkast, you couldn't tell me I wasn't from Brooklyn. My collection was all Wu-Tang, Nas, Tribe, De La, and the like. It was a great feeling to have a group from my neck of the woods that acted like me, dressed like me, and talked like me. Quick footnote, when I saw the video I was beside myself to say the least! Then 1994 hit and they released Southernplayerlisticadillacmuzik, oh boy!
Now let's get to the nitty gritty, why I think this album is classic. The album begins with an intro from "Peaches", and from the onset she sets the mood for the cd. Once you hear the intro you know that you are about to listen to some pimp ish. Not just pimp in the sense of the content, but beats that lather the ear with a with silky smooth rhythms, and bass guaranteed to rattle your trunk! To second that emotion, Outkast hits you with Myintrotoletuknow, which Big Boi and Andre 3000 give you a teaser of how they feel, and what they are about. If you questioned their rep, they hit you up with Ain't No Thang, where they join together and let you know that "Ain't no thang but a chicken wang!" Within two songs you know that they are 'playa made', and don't think that we are southern we're soft. Honestly the album posses the rare quality that is often lacking in alot of rap albums, you can literally start at the intro, and just walk away. At the same time there are gems on the album that you must pay special attention to. One particular example is "Playa's Ball". For the squares a players ball is a function that gathers all the hustlers and players for what I would call an 'award show' of sorts, but I think that they are actually speaking how a group of like-minded individuals gather to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Another example would be "Funky Ride". I can only describe this song as something to put on as you cruise through Anytown, USA at night with the moon in the sky, and the windows down! The bass contained in this song is something that is a staple of southern music, and this song is full of it. I would say the bass is like gravy in the since that it makes a great dish that much better.If I didn't mention earlier this album is coughee friendly(reference 420), because even if you don't they make you feel as if you have. There is another signifigance to this album, because this is the first time you hear of a little group named Goodie Mob, which you first hear on "Get Up, Get Out". If you pay close attention one of the founding members of Goodie Mob, and Gnarls Barkly does a funny skit at the beginning of the song, where get the feeling there is a difference between Buckhead(a swank part of town that is exclusive), and Bankhead( an area in Atlanta that you should probaly know someone before you go, and not go at night). I will save that for another review. "Get Up, Get Out" stands out, because it gives the listener the montra get up, get out and go do something with your life. Another first appearance is the skit that follows, performed by Big Rube. I have it memorized, because Big Rube defines Outkast(notice the 'K') encouraging you to look deeper than the definition, and look at you self, and whether you as the listener fits in the mold of an outkast. Interestingly enough he encourages you to be different, and question the status quo. There are many songs that I didn't mention, but that doesn't mean that they aren't worth your time, trust me! I consider this to be a classic rap album, and i'm sure you will once you check it out, so 'Get Up, Get Out', and go get it if you don't have it already! Right on to the real, and death to the Fakers, Peace Out!
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Music Rant
Ok I have been feeling a certain way about music for quite some time. If you read my earlier post you will see that I have a particular taste in music. I started with soul oldies, moved to pop and rap in the 80's then pretty much just floated through the 90's with rap. Here we are in the new millinium, and I find myself at a crossroads. I understand that what I'm about to say is only my opinion, so I hope you will find something sprinkled in here that will peak your intrest, or spark a meaningful debate. Now that I have the formalities out the way, I shall begin. In the mid 90's or so rap began to take on this persona of this how much money I have why don't you? I understand that the main idea of rap is to brag, and be as manly as possible. What changed is that they went from bragging about what made them special and different to look what I got. I will admit that I enjoyed what was coming out at the time, and I also concede that some very influential artist were produced during this time period. I believe the problem began when big record labels began to heavily invest in this mindset, and concept. The proof is that although rappers don't wear shiny suits anymore, they continue to throw money at the television, and flaunt materialistic items that 98% of the people who purchase there music can't afford. It is similiar to society in that the people with the money try to tell people without money how they should live not realizing that it is fucking silly! Back to rap, this rant occured to me the other day when I was watching the tube, and a particular artist (who I will not mention their name) had a video come on, and all they did was talk about how much money they got, and how much I don't have. Before I continue I am by no stretch of the imagination a 'hater'(as George Bush would say), but I am someone who works hard for my lil piece and change, and spend quite a bit of this change on music. So tell me how would you feel if the guy that you are helping get rich turns around and says you suck, because I have more money than you. I understand that isn't necessarily what he is saying, but doesn't it get awkward after awhile when someone you jam to is always telling you how silly he can be, because he or she has the money we gave them and thows it back in your face?! This rant can be seen as a gross over-generalization, because they could be referring to sucker mc's (I'm sorry there aren't any more mc's, just rappers). I will do a post just to clarify the latter, but I digress. Now back to us as consumers, the only reason they get away with it is because we let them, much like the government. See, record labels decide who they want to be hot. You say, 'well how do they do that, I'm my own person I do what I want to do.' Wrong, by flooding the airwaves, and appealing to your visual stimuli they present to you what they want you to see therefore leaving you little to no choice in the matter. Don't get me wrong I like a good beat just like the next person, but the content is important!!! Just something I wanted to get off my chest.Oh yeah by the way stop supporting auto tune!!!!! Let Peter Frampton and Roger Troutman have that.... it's so 1980's! Stay tuned for my well overdue music review.
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