Everyone wants to talk about presidents these days.  Whether it's about Jay-Z leaving Def Jam to start a new label with Apple (and Jermaine Dupri taking over Def Jam), or it's about our potential first woman, or first African-American, or first Mormon, or first Italian-American, or first Mexican-American president...

*Johnnie Taylor - "I Could Never Be President" (1969)

I am finding this selection process extremely interesting.  I watched a piece of the Iowa caucus, and have now just heard the results from New Hampshire...I guess anything can happen, because all the polling was wrong about both states!

 

What makes great music?  Is it the notes of an instrument, the reverbaration of human vocal chords? Is it the totality of the picture being painted?  There is something about artists trading words that can bring a song to life in so many ways. R. Kelly and Usher can sing about the same girl and Marvin and Tammi can swoon over each other, but I think that rap music has an edge here because of the volume of lyrics that can be poured out in just a few minutes.  But then why are so many rap duos forgettable?  It probably has a lot to do with how these artists do take advantage of the possibilities of that rich pallete.  So, besides trading verses between choruses, what can two rap dudes do?  How about ad-libbing on top of each other...for moral support, of course:

 

 

I'd like to hear your opinions and suggestions.  I'll leave you one last thought (and a prep for Part 2).  Does it count as a duet when one half of the musical conversation is being voiced by a musical instrument instead?  How does that compare with two singers?

 

Inspiration comes from tragedy sometimes...to Pimp C and Ike Turner, Rest in Peace.

As Rakim would say...it's been a long time.  I had no idea that school would keep me so busy. And now that I am taking off some time for Thanksgiving break, there really is no excuse for me not to post any news.

 

I know you are thinking Jay-Z's album was good, not great, but certainly much better than Kingdom Come.  It's consistent, but will it remain on our minds like Doubt and Vol 2?  Well, no time to marinate on that thought because the Wu is back!  This December we get two treats: the (now-annual) new Ghostface album, his seventh solo joint; and the first new Wu Clan since Ghostface told Bush to stand down...he got Osama covered.  At this rate, Ghostface would have done a much better job, but maybe that's why he's got a new book coming out...

 

Alright, I don't really need to give you the history on the crew that changed the game for New York rap, but in case you forgot, 15 years ago, Dr. Dre and his new protegé were taking over the airwaves.  Not so much an East/West rivalry as much as New York recovering from it's post-New Jack excesses.  (We lost you for a bit there Kane, Hev.)  A few squads were trying to bring it, but then came the ruckus.  Unfortunately, word on the street is that some of the more headstrong members of the Clan are unhappy with the finished product, and want to prep a RZA-less follow-up in case this flops. Do they still got it?  Let me know what you think:

 

 

*Wu-Tang Clan - Watch Your Mouth (2007) [production by DJ Scratch]

 

 

*Ghostface Killah (f/Kid Capri) - Celebrate (2007)

 

 

While we are still waiting for the RZA/Busta Rhymes executive-produced "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2..." to drop on Aftermath (say what?), here are a few treats from the Vatican 3 mixtape:

 

*Raekwon (f/Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa) - Musketeers of Pig Alley (Remix)

 

*Raekwon (f/Ghostface Killah) - The Young Black (2007)

 

Back to term papers, see you sooner rather than later...

In the mid-70's funk music began to get polished and pushed towards the commerical mainstream.  The new style was called "uptown" funk or "sophistifunk" by its detractors, and "disco" by its supporters.  Whatever the name, the new style most certainly peaked sometime in late 1979 and sent dance music underground.  In New York in particular, an intensely creative period of dance music that drew on various eclectic sources (Euro-disco, punk, reggae) began to take shape.  Between 1980 and 1983, experimental and eclectic dance music was the norm.  This "post-disco" music bridged the gap between "disco" and today's "house" music.

 

No, I'm not going to write about "house" music this week, but I tell the tale to illustrate a point - rap music is at it's commerical peak and probably can't get any more pervasive.  So is it possible that the post-Imus attacks on hip hop may unleash the anti-rap beast in society, just as people burned their disco records at Comiskey Park in 1979?  It seems to me that artists are abandoning the tried-and-true radio-formula music just as fast as the fans - 50 Cent's Curtis has been a relative flop whereas kanYe's Graduation has been flying off shelves.  So, if I am hearing the message correctly...

 

Jay-Z claims he was inspired by the new Washington/Crowe movie to write his 11th album, American Gangster.  It seems he wasn't the only one inspired, because word is that Puff Daddy has reunited the original Hitmen production team (Nashiem Myrick, D-Dot, Stevie J, Amen-Ra, Carlos Broady...) to produce at least four tracks on the album.  The first single is a Pharrell joint, but there seems to be nothing dancey about it:

*Jay-Z - Blue Magic (2007)

 

Jay had been subtley prepping his return to the airwaves.  His recent remix with 50 Cent and Puffy on "I Get Money" included some choice words that apparently didn't sit too well with L.L. Cool J, the newest member of G Unit:

*L.L. Cool J - New York Gangstas (2007)

 

Not to be outdone, Nas is dropping his greatest hits album this fall, and will include two new tracks.  One was already released on the Rush Hour 3 soundtrack, but this one is classic storyteller material:

*Nas - Surviving the Times (2007)

 

Noreaga has decided that reggaeton just isn't so cool anymore, and has returned to rap.  He already released his Cocaine Cowboys mixtape earlier this year, and the Noreality album (which contained many of the same cuts), but appears to be prepping another album entitled Global Warming.  It is nice to hear Noreaga On the Run Eatin' again:

*Noreaga - Call to Heaven (Phone Call to Pun) (2007)

 

Smif-n-Wessun seems to be taking a page out of the Mobb Deep book...thug-disco, but with their own signature ragga twist.  First cut off The Album:

*Smif-n-Wessun - Gotta Say It (f/Chuckii Starr) (2007)

 

And the Soul Survivor rocks on...has anyone else noticed how prolific this guy has been with the beats lately?  Since Ghostface Killah's "Be Easy" in 2005, Pete Rock has been cranking out hot ones back-to-back.  Here is a sneak peek of NY's Finest: 

*Pete Rock - Till I Die (2007)

 

Alright, this isn't New York, but I thought it was worth throwing in the mix of this gangsterism.  He is prepping a new album for the winter, entitled Made.
*Scarface - Never (2007)

 

Part Two next week...let's just say that Staten Island's Finest are about to unleash a fury...

I thought it would be appropriate to write about New Orleans, since I am in school working on a 2-week long case study of the attempt to rebuild there, post-Katrina.  Honestly, I just can't stop thinking about the city.  What better way to focus my energy, then to post a little bit about the great music of the Crescent City!  There is way too much to cover in a post this size, so I will just point out a few of the facts that may not be common knowledge:

 

-"second-line" dancing originated here in the funeral processions of the 1800s

-"jass" (better known as "jazz") was invented here in the 1830s

-the masters of "swamp funk", the Meters, Dr. John and Aaron Neville are from here 

-"bounce" music was invented here in the 1990s, adding to the rich palette of hip hop music

 

And that is just the tip of the iceberg!  That's a lot of creativity for a city that has never had more than one million people.  So, I am posting a tiny sampling of its great music.  Some of you rap fans will recognize the de la Soul and Public Enemy samples in the Al Hirt and Meters songs.  I am also including an interesting new collaboration between Galactic, the Soul Rebels Brass Band and New Orleans legend Juvenile.  (You will recall I talked about the return of Cash Money a few weeks back...) See you in a week: 

*The Meters - Just Kissed My Baby (1974)

I am finally set up in the new apartment.  I've got records (ahh, relaxation!) and I've got Internet.  So no more excuses for not posting in a time...I was back home in NYC last weekend to pick up a few things (like a bicycle) and take care of some business (like get a haircut), and I made some time to go to this amazing circus show called "La Vie" at the South Street Seaport.  It was like an intimate version of Cirque du Soleil, but in a Spiegel tent.  One of the things I enjoyed most was that they had a turntablist (sorry about the poor phonphoto) and he was really good!  He had his own solo set where he used a turntable to acrobatics also...really wild!

 

*Trae f/The L.O.X. (Jadakiss, Styles P) - Smile (2007)

*Panacea - Pops Said (2007)

I have been listening to rap music since 1983 and I think it is probably as generally stale as ever, isn't it?  But wait...there are artists coming out with some interesting tracks this year, and it's not always from who you would expect.  I am not going to say too much; you can judge for yourself.  From an artist like Panacea (think Blackalicious quality beats and lyrics), I'm not surprised...but check out Joe Budden, or more surprising yet, Swizz Beats bringing lyrics?!?  All the rules have changed in this game: