Del tha Funkee Homosapien

March 12th, 2010  |  by el gringo rico  |  published in back to the basics, bay area, hip-hop  |  1 comment

Despite somewhere around ten album releases between 1990 and 2000, Del remained an underground superstar… a mystery to the mainstream. Then came the new millenium and the release of two of my favorite hip hop albums of all time. First, in 2000, alongside legendary Bay Area producer Dan the Automator, Del released the groundbreaking “Deltron 3030″ album.

Madlib – Madlib Medicine Show No. 2: Flight to Brazil

February 24th, 2010  |  by J Meagher  |  published in hip-hop, world music  |  5 comments

This album really changed things for me in terms of appreciating and pursuing jazz music outside of Tribe Called Quest samples. He took sounds I was unfamiliar and uninterested in, and screwed them up in wonderful ways that made me want to listen over and over again (video for a track off this album will be included below). It’s safe to say that Madlib is NOT a one trick pony.

Madlib – Madlib Medicine Show No. 1: Before the Verdict

February 11th, 2010  |  by J Meagher  |  published in hip-hop  |  6 comments

The greatest thing about this project for me is the chance to glimpse the inner workings and predilections of hip-hops greatest mind. This man has four tons of vinyl. Let me repeat for dramatic effect: Madlib owns four TONS of vinyl. That’s about a Ford F-150 worth of wax. These mix tapes will pull from all of it, bringing you the funkiest, most obscure cuts from South America, Africa, and other locales.

Ten Top Hip-Hoppers of the Decade: Part 2 of 2

December 29th, 2009  |  by el gringo rico  |  published in hip-hop, playlists  |  7 comments

Lists are fun when used in moderation. Here is a list entailing my opinion of the best 10 hip hoppers this decade. Note that the specific albums are not my choices for top albums of the decade. I’m trying to highlight the artists themselves: how they transcended hip hop and created, in most cases, several timeless albums. Sadly and honorably not included in this top 10 are my honorable mentions: Brother Ali, Dead Prez, Common Market, RJD2, Binary Star, Super Chron Flight Brothers, K’naan, Jedi Mind Tricks, The Grouch (& The Living Legends Crew), Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Pharoah Monche, Common.

Ten Top Hip-Hoppers of the Decade: Part 1 of 2

December 28th, 2009  |  by el gringo rico  |  published in hip-hop, playlists  |  3 comments

Lists are fun when used in moderation. Here is a list entailing my opinion of the best 10 hip hoppers this decade. Note that the specific albums are not my choices for top albums of the decade. I’m trying to highlight the artists themselves: how they transcended hip hop and created, in most cases, several timeless albums. Sadly and honorably not included in this top 10 are my honorable mentions: Brother Ali, Dead Prez, Common Market, RJD2, Binary Star, Super Chron Flight Brothers, K’naan, Jedi Mind Tricks, The Grouch (& The Living Legends Crew), Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Pharoah Monche, Common.

The Streets – Blinded by the Lights (Nero Remix)

December 23rd, 2009  |  by camden andrews  |  published in dubstep, hip-hop, remixes  |  5 comments

The two-step rhythm in The Streets’ “Blinded by the Lights” makes the song a perfect candidate for a dubstep remix. This new Nero remix doesn’t actually change much from the original, but the ground shaking bass and the trippy delay on the vocals makes for an entirely different listening experience, which is exactly what a good remix should do. Some moments are absolutely flooring. Find some good speakers or some good headphones, sit back, maybe light up a bit, and treat yourself to this bass assault.

Blakroc – Blakroc

December 16th, 2009  |  by J Meagher  |  published in blues, hip-hop  |  4 comments

i was too excited for this album to review it right away. the black keys…mos def…PHAROAHE MONCH!?!? EVERything about this project made sense to me. the black keys have been experimenting more and more with each release, culminating in their collaboration with dangermouse on their 2008 LP “Attack & release”. mos def had experimented with rock production on his follow up to the classic “black on both sides” and for what its worth i think that album (called the new danger) is absurdly underrated. but of course this project isn’t just mos and the keys, and that’s why i hated it.

MF Doom – Unexpected Guests

November 17th, 2009  |  by el gringo rico  |  published in hip-hop

unexpected guests features a funny array of unreleased tracks, previously released untouched tracks, remixes, and group collaborations. it’s a mix that ultimately sounds pretty damn good together when it’s all said and done. all in all, this album is great — pure unfiltered doom.