Good Morning,
I haven't been feeling very inspired lately and have not created a new post to this blog in a minute. My spark was just released yesterday. As many of the readers of this resurgent blog know, K'NAAN just came out with his second cd, entitled Troubador. My circle has been eagerly awaiting this album. Surprisingly, K's popularity has been on the rise. I heard that his vidoes were featured on MTV. As a side, I have to say I wouldn't know whether or not this is true because I can proudly say that I have not watched that channel in over two years.
Anywho, increased popularity of any independent or underground artist gives rise to concern. Will he succumb to the temptation to compromise his music to reach a wider audience? Will he be manipulated to do so? Is there something about him or his music that leads you to believe that he will or will not be able to resist these pressures?
As for the album, I have to say up front that I'm really feeling it. I don't know if it's because it is one of the best albums I have heard in a while or if I have just been feenin' for some new K'NAAN stuff for two and a half years. I'm giving myself time to develop an objective view of the record. At the same time, I'm looking over the album for signs of an upcoming new jack swing toward larger mainstream appeal. I think the song Bang, Bang may be an indication of his ability to make pop-rockish music. The song's lack of hip hop appeal or his niche mother Africa focus may indicate some intent to develop such a sound.
To be honest with myself, I have no idea what this man will decide to do. I'm hoping that he will continue to improve his wordplay while continually educating us ignorant westerners with his seemingly exotic background. I think there is so much potential for hip hop with a global focus. On his new album, "Fifteen Minutes Away" simply nails it. The topic of a money transfer probably has not been explored in hip hop and his delivery blends with the whimsical sound well. I also really enjoy "Fatima" and "Fire in Freetown."
Well, I'm done rambling for today. Thanks to K'NAAN for waking up this blog. Keep doing what you do baby and please don't go pop.
Thoughts?
S O NE
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, November 10, 2008
New Music Needed...post suggestions.
It's Adam grabbing the blog again:
It's been a while since this site has been active. I'm struggling for new music. Any suggestions? I already exhausted the lil wayne anthology (psych!), so I need some new direction.
Blue Scholars helped me out big-time during the late summer, and after checking out Little Brother live a few weeks ago, I dug them out of the vaults to freshen things up. I still think they are "the best hip hop group you've never heard of." Watching them live was insane. Best show I've seen in years. If the Roots didn't exist--and judging by their last album, they might not anymore, at least not how I know them--Little Brother would be my favorite group. I also picked up Foreign Exchange, which is Phonte from LB and Nicolay producing. It's more singing than rhyming, but Phonte is a freaking star and he can sing.
The new Kanye material is growing on me. Coldest Winter is pretty good. He's singing to his mom. Even though he can't sing, the audio effects hide his deficiencies pretty well. And at least I don't have to listen to him try to rhyme, which is sometimes unbearable.
Common has a few new songs out. One is the Afrikaa Bambataa wannabe track (can't remember the name) and then he put out the Obama tribute "Changes", which is mediocre. His new album is coming out in December, "Universal Mind Control".
Otherwise, I am struggling for some freshness. What y'all got?
It's been a while since this site has been active. I'm struggling for new music. Any suggestions? I already exhausted the lil wayne anthology (psych!), so I need some new direction.
Blue Scholars helped me out big-time during the late summer, and after checking out Little Brother live a few weeks ago, I dug them out of the vaults to freshen things up. I still think they are "the best hip hop group you've never heard of." Watching them live was insane. Best show I've seen in years. If the Roots didn't exist--and judging by their last album, they might not anymore, at least not how I know them--Little Brother would be my favorite group. I also picked up Foreign Exchange, which is Phonte from LB and Nicolay producing. It's more singing than rhyming, but Phonte is a freaking star and he can sing.
The new Kanye material is growing on me. Coldest Winter is pretty good. He's singing to his mom. Even though he can't sing, the audio effects hide his deficiencies pretty well. And at least I don't have to listen to him try to rhyme, which is sometimes unbearable.
Common has a few new songs out. One is the Afrikaa Bambataa wannabe track (can't remember the name) and then he put out the Obama tribute "Changes", which is mediocre. His new album is coming out in December, "Universal Mind Control".
Otherwise, I am struggling for some freshness. What y'all got?
Saturday, June 28, 2008
No Post, But no Worry
I'm thinking of something else to write about. Right now I am at work downloading a nice lil' reggae cd but nothing that you haven't heard about. I'm in another music doldrum.
Not to worry because I think I will find inspiration soon.
Laters,
Slim
Not to worry because I think I will find inspiration soon.
Laters,
Slim
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Dancehall--Ill or Unintelligible?
Adam says he wants to discuss Dancehall. In short I can't get with it because I have no idea what they are talking about most of the time. I much prefer Roots Reggae where the vocalist sings slowly and allows you to understand what they are saying. That's pretty much my only beef with Dancehall aside from the commercial offshoots thereof.
--Slim O.NE
--Slim O.NE
Monday, May 12, 2008
Lil' Wayne and the South--Illest in the Game?
Whattup fools,
Ya'll know me. You know that I don't usually f with radio music. If I do listen to the radio, you know I'm not listening to any on-air hip hop. On top of that, I don't have cable so I don't f with music videos either. With that being written, I currently believe that rap's reigning king is Lil' Wayne. I don't however, believe that there are not good arguments to the contrary. However, I'll let you suppy those.
While at a nightclub (While everyone was dancing uncontrollably to "Lillipop"), I was discussing this point with two friends. One of these being a die-hard Nas street disciple, the other being a dirrty south loyalist. The Nas disciple said that he always thought that east coast rappers had the best mix of street grime, lyrics, and raw production. However, he could not name four rappers that are as on top of their games right now as Lil' Wayne, T.I., Andre 3000, and Bun B. These dudes enjoy commercial success, but they are all sick ass mc's.
I submit that Lil' Wayne is holding the crown and in position to swing an iron mallet at the frozen commercial hip-hop world with the June release of "The Carter 3." If he does this right, he could bring me back to 1996 and 1997 when every car you heard was bumping some song off "All Eyez on Me" or some song off "Atliens" or some song off "Life After Death" or some song off "Makiaveli." When Carter 3 drops, everyone from wierdo suits like me, to cholos, to fake thugs, to babymama's, to cute chicks in Honda's will be taking it in. That is what the best in the game does. They make you wait for their album, and then live up to the all the hype when they hit you with it.
More generally, the south is running the game right now. That's it for now. I'll entertain questions, comments, and concerns at this time.
Ya'll know me. You know that I don't usually f with radio music. If I do listen to the radio, you know I'm not listening to any on-air hip hop. On top of that, I don't have cable so I don't f with music videos either. With that being written, I currently believe that rap's reigning king is Lil' Wayne. I don't however, believe that there are not good arguments to the contrary. However, I'll let you suppy those.
While at a nightclub (While everyone was dancing uncontrollably to "Lillipop"), I was discussing this point with two friends. One of these being a die-hard Nas street disciple, the other being a dirrty south loyalist. The Nas disciple said that he always thought that east coast rappers had the best mix of street grime, lyrics, and raw production. However, he could not name four rappers that are as on top of their games right now as Lil' Wayne, T.I., Andre 3000, and Bun B. These dudes enjoy commercial success, but they are all sick ass mc's.
I submit that Lil' Wayne is holding the crown and in position to swing an iron mallet at the frozen commercial hip-hop world with the June release of "The Carter 3." If he does this right, he could bring me back to 1996 and 1997 when every car you heard was bumping some song off "All Eyez on Me" or some song off "Atliens" or some song off "Life After Death" or some song off "Makiaveli." When Carter 3 drops, everyone from wierdo suits like me, to cholos, to fake thugs, to babymama's, to cute chicks in Honda's will be taking it in. That is what the best in the game does. They make you wait for their album, and then live up to the all the hype when they hit you with it.
More generally, the south is running the game right now. That's it for now. I'll entertain questions, comments, and concerns at this time.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
New Music
Hello fellow bloggers. I know that I have not posted anything in a while but you have to give me some leeway as I no longer have a computer. Due to this fact, I have not gotten any new music in quite some time. Knowing me, I am going to need some new hotness for the summer.
I want to know what new stuff you've gotten recently. Simple as that. I am copying a couple of posts from a previous discussion to get this thing started man.
---
richie said...
this blog is kinda stagnet right now...so i gotta recommend an artist i just found out about. he's probably been around forever. he was on dj. semtexs show last weekend. Joell ortiz. i was really feeling some of his rhymes, check him out for yourself, i've heard enough. copping the album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLI6O6i_vb8
April 9, 2008 3:38 PM
adam said...
He was on a Smif N Wessun track last fall called "Stomp". It was good.
April 9, 2008 6:32 PM
I want to know what new stuff you've gotten recently. Simple as that. I am copying a couple of posts from a previous discussion to get this thing started man.
---
richie said...
this blog is kinda stagnet right now...so i gotta recommend an artist i just found out about. he's probably been around forever. he was on dj. semtexs show last weekend. Joell ortiz. i was really feeling some of his rhymes, check him out for yourself, i've heard enough. copping the album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLI6O6i_vb8
April 9, 2008 3:38 PM
adam said...
He was on a Smif N Wessun track last fall called "Stomp". It was good.
April 9, 2008 6:32 PM
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Show Review by Puravida
TRIBUTE TO THE LEGENDS, SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA - February 18, 2008.
I had not been this excited for a show since Knaan and the Marley brothers visited San Diego a year and a half ago. The lineup for this 2008 Reggae fest contained both legends and up-and-comers highlighted by: Gregory Isaacs, Don Carlos, Barrington Levy, Culture, Cultura Profetica, and the much anticipated headliner - Alpha Blondy.
The festival, formerly known as Bob Marley Day, pays homage to arguably the most "conscious" musician ever who has left an indelible mark on modern music. This annual show is performed in recognition of the lionized leader of a musical, spiritual, and political explosion that still reverberates more than two decades after his death.
The show itself was a roller coaster of near chaos, great music, and disappointment... in that order. I'll take it chronologically.
I rolled to the show with a little 23 y/o hottie across the street, 2 of her friends, and my boy, Nate, who came down from LA for the festivities. We sparked admirable-sized spliff over-looking the pacific and were on our way. We pull into the sports arena parking lot, and Sarah's two friend go to pick up there tix at will call while she, Nate, and I walk across the street to pull money from the gas station ATM before entering. Our Internet-purchased tix are in my pocket... but not for long.
In Shane-esque stoner fashion, I then slice my finger off. Nah, I'm just fucking with y'all. I take out the tickets and my money clip, set the tix on the ATM machine, insert card, complete transaction, put cash in pocket, leave tickets on ATM maching, and turn and walk away. Not until we reach the entrance does my stoned ass realize the tickets are not in my pocket. We had no idea where they were. You can imagine how infuriated Nate and Sarah are with me at this point. I try to blame it on Sarah, but the look she gives me only says, "My lips will never touch your penis again." So, we start re-tracing our steps in desperation. Back to the car. Inside-out full search reveals no tickets. Back to the gas station, scanning the ground the entire way (my hoodie pocket had a hole in it and this was the primarily suspected means of escape). About 40 min later, we arrive at the gas station de nuevo with fading hopes of recovery. As we approach the ATM machine, I immediately recognize the the folded sheets of yellow paper from my office printer which decorated that cash dispenser like an angel on top of a christmas tree! Recovery baby! Miraculous grounds for celebration and an incredibly humbling shot at my intoxicated mental capacity.
Consequence: We completley missed Cultura Profetica. Upside: Still a great lineup of reggae music and our spirits were back.
As we walked through the gate, first glimpse of the stage revealed Gregory Isaacs jamming "if you want to be my #1" in front of a backdrop of lions and red, black, gold, and green everywhere. Definitely a tight set-up. However, the venue as a whole was disappointing. This show needed to be performed outdoors. I have never been in space this large that was so densly smoked out. It was so hot-boxed in there, I would rate visibility at about 50 yards. Remember how Sho's eyes would start to narrow and he would just kinda chill out a bit while sitting at the scrabble table at 607 while the blunt circled him? Well, Sho would have been laying on the floor searching for any two-letter word he could get upon entering this joint.
The next four hours were amazing. Highlights and songs you need to check out...
If you have not listened to Culture, you MUST check these guys out!! They were the best of the day BY FAR! Listen to these ridiculous beats from Culture:
- Garvey
- Sweet Freedom
- Humble African
- Vacancy
- Holy Mt. Zion
Don Carlos:
- Natty Dread Have Him Credential
- Hog and Goat
- Oh Girl
Gregory Isaacs:
- Storm
- Night Nurse
- My Number One
Steel Pulse:
- Steppin Out
- Worth His Weight in Gold (Rally around the red, gold, blk, & grn)
- Chant a Psalm
Barrington Levy:
- Teach The Youths
Max Romeo:
- Socialism
The Melodians:
- Rivers of Babylon (They weren't there... covered by various artists)
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE DAY... No Alpha Blondy. Extreme bummer.
Second biggest bummer of day. No David Pendergast. Our phx compadre was missed gets a definite pass excusing his absence b/c we at SGLLP clearly understand the demanding obligations our profession often springs at the 11th hour.
In conclusion, it was a great show, but did not even come close to fulfilling expectations.
Recommendation, SGLLP representative must travel internationally to catch Alpha Blondy en vivo and remedy the tragic ending to SD Reggaefest 2008.
out...
I had not been this excited for a show since Knaan and the Marley brothers visited San Diego a year and a half ago. The lineup for this 2008 Reggae fest contained both legends and up-and-comers highlighted by: Gregory Isaacs, Don Carlos, Barrington Levy, Culture, Cultura Profetica, and the much anticipated headliner - Alpha Blondy.
The festival, formerly known as Bob Marley Day, pays homage to arguably the most "conscious" musician ever who has left an indelible mark on modern music. This annual show is performed in recognition of the lionized leader of a musical, spiritual, and political explosion that still reverberates more than two decades after his death.
The show itself was a roller coaster of near chaos, great music, and disappointment... in that order. I'll take it chronologically.
I rolled to the show with a little 23 y/o hottie across the street, 2 of her friends, and my boy, Nate, who came down from LA for the festivities. We sparked admirable-sized spliff over-looking the pacific and were on our way. We pull into the sports arena parking lot, and Sarah's two friend go to pick up there tix at will call while she, Nate, and I walk across the street to pull money from the gas station ATM before entering. Our Internet-purchased tix are in my pocket... but not for long.
In Shane-esque stoner fashion, I then slice my finger off. Nah, I'm just fucking with y'all. I take out the tickets and my money clip, set the tix on the ATM machine, insert card, complete transaction, put cash in pocket, leave tickets on ATM maching, and turn and walk away. Not until we reach the entrance does my stoned ass realize the tickets are not in my pocket. We had no idea where they were. You can imagine how infuriated Nate and Sarah are with me at this point. I try to blame it on Sarah, but the look she gives me only says, "My lips will never touch your penis again." So, we start re-tracing our steps in desperation. Back to the car. Inside-out full search reveals no tickets. Back to the gas station, scanning the ground the entire way (my hoodie pocket had a hole in it and this was the primarily suspected means of escape). About 40 min later, we arrive at the gas station de nuevo with fading hopes of recovery. As we approach the ATM machine, I immediately recognize the the folded sheets of yellow paper from my office printer which decorated that cash dispenser like an angel on top of a christmas tree! Recovery baby! Miraculous grounds for celebration and an incredibly humbling shot at my intoxicated mental capacity.
Consequence: We completley missed Cultura Profetica. Upside: Still a great lineup of reggae music and our spirits were back.
As we walked through the gate, first glimpse of the stage revealed Gregory Isaacs jamming "if you want to be my #1" in front of a backdrop of lions and red, black, gold, and green everywhere. Definitely a tight set-up. However, the venue as a whole was disappointing. This show needed to be performed outdoors. I have never been in space this large that was so densly smoked out. It was so hot-boxed in there, I would rate visibility at about 50 yards. Remember how Sho's eyes would start to narrow and he would just kinda chill out a bit while sitting at the scrabble table at 607 while the blunt circled him? Well, Sho would have been laying on the floor searching for any two-letter word he could get upon entering this joint.
The next four hours were amazing. Highlights and songs you need to check out...
If you have not listened to Culture, you MUST check these guys out!! They were the best of the day BY FAR! Listen to these ridiculous beats from Culture:
- Garvey
- Sweet Freedom
- Humble African
- Vacancy
- Holy Mt. Zion
Don Carlos:
- Natty Dread Have Him Credential
- Hog and Goat
- Oh Girl
Gregory Isaacs:
- Storm
- Night Nurse
- My Number One
Steel Pulse:
- Steppin Out
- Worth His Weight in Gold (Rally around the red, gold, blk, & grn)
- Chant a Psalm
Barrington Levy:
- Teach The Youths
Max Romeo:
- Socialism
The Melodians:
- Rivers of Babylon (They weren't there... covered by various artists)
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE DAY... No Alpha Blondy. Extreme bummer.
Second biggest bummer of day. No David Pendergast. Our phx compadre was missed gets a definite pass excusing his absence b/c we at SGLLP clearly understand the demanding obligations our profession often springs at the 11th hour.
In conclusion, it was a great show, but did not even come close to fulfilling expectations.
Recommendation, SGLLP representative must travel internationally to catch Alpha Blondy en vivo and remedy the tragic ending to SD Reggaefest 2008.
out...
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