in/audible - Ibiblio

1
Blac Monks – Secrets of the Hidden
Temple (Rap-A-Lot, 1995)
Although the Blac Monks were on the same
label as the Geto Boys, they didn’t deal with
the same violent, gangsta subject matter
as many of their labelmates. Instead, this
talented trio of emcees – Lord 3-2, Da and
Awol – rapped about everyday topics, with
some metaphysical “Buddha nature” stuff
thrown in for good measure. Basically, this
is one of the best pre-crunk southern hiphop
albums ever recorded. Their sophomore
effort No Mercy is also well worth a listen.
Divine Styler – Spiral Walls Contain-
2 ing Autumns of Light (Giant, 1992)
I don’t know if this album should be on this
list, because I don’t even know if it’s good.
But, it sure is weird! In fact, I would argue
that this is the weirdest hip-hop album ever
made, and for that alone, it deserves a spot.
Divine Styler used to be down with Ice-T’s
Rhyme Syndicate, releasing a De La-esque
debut in 1989. While that album had its
eccentric moments, nothing could have prepared
the listening public for what was to
come next. Featuring mostly live instrumentation
(much of it played by Styler himself )
and spoken word-ish delivery, this is what
The Love Below would have sounded like if
Andre were really insane.
Yomo & Maulkie – Are U Xperienced?
3 (Ruthless, 1991)
Released the same year as Efil4zaggin and
produced by NWA’s DJ Yella, Yomo and
Maulkie were revolutionary but gangsta
years before Dead Prez. The highlight of the
album is the flag-burning anthem “Glory”
with its politically-charged rhymes and
funky, cricket-sampling beat (timely lyric:
“Pimpin’ brothers like hos in Iraq/You sold
them weapons, now you want your money
back”). Maulkie went on to become a member
of Ice Cube protégés Da Lench Mob,
and DJ Yella now directs porn.
YZ – The Ghetto’s Been Good To Me
4 (Livin’ Large, 1993)
This is the second album of righteous lyrics
from this X-Clan affiliate. Although it’s
solid from beginning to end, the highlight is
definitely the single “The Return of the Holy
One” with its noisy, almost avant-garde beat.
Another track (“Dead Love”) features the
bass-playing of Jamaaladeen Tacuma from
Ornette Coleman’s Prime Time Band!
5Grand Daddy I.U. – Smooth Assassin
(Cold Chillin’, 1990)
Although Grand Daddy I.U. got lost in the
shuffle at Cold Chillin’, this album fits in well
with the rest of the Juice Crew-heavy roster
they had at the time. I.U. raps like a more
chilled out Big Daddy Kane, and the album
was entirely produced by Biz Markie. While
this is a very dope album, stay away from
I.U.’s next effort, the aptly named Lead Pipe.
6Witchdoctor – ...A S.W.A.T. Healin’
Ritual (Interscope, 1998)
Witchdoctor is a criminally overlooked
member of Atlanta’s Dungeon Family,
whose members pitch in with production
from Organized Noise and guest appearances
from both Outkast and Goodie Mob.
This album may not reach the heights of
Soul Food or Aquemini, but it’s a genuinely
soulful slab of southern hip-hop.
7Lakim Shabazz – Lost Tribe of
Shabazz (Tuff City, 1990)
Lakim’s 1988 debut Pure Righteousness is
often mentioned as an overlooked classic
from that most classic of years, but it’s his
sophomore effort that is really overlooked.
It’s more of the same with Nation of Islaminspired
lyrics over dope beats, seven of
which come courtesy of the legendary DJ
Mark the 45 King.
8Maestro Fresh Wes – Naaah, Dis Kid
Can’t Be From Canada?!! (LMR,1994)
As the corny album title indicates, Maestro
Fresh Wes is indeed from Canada. Even with
considerable skills and two albums already
under his belt, he was never able to make
much of an impact in the States. This time
out, he gets four beats from DITC producer
Showbiz and a rare guest appearance from
the legendary rhyme inspector Percee P. It’s
a very solid album overall and probably the
peak of Wes’s career.
9
Masta Ace – Disposable Arts (JCOR,
2001)
Rap veteran Masta Ace returns with
another concept album (check out 1993’s
Slaughtahouse and 1995’s Sittin’ on Chrome
for earlier examples), this time about a
rapper who gets released from prison and
enrolls in the Institute of Disposable Arts, a
hip-hop college in upstate New York. There
he meets his goofy white roommate (played
by onetime Chapel Hill resident MC Paul
Barman), and hijinks ensue. Um... it’s really
much better than it sounds.
10
Mic Geronimo – The Natural
(Blunt, 1995)
It’s gotta be tough being Mic Geronimo. This
album features a song (“Time to Build”)
with DMX, Ja Rule and Jay-Z, all of whom
became huge stars within the next four
years, while Mic’s career stayed in neutral.
But, it wasn’t for a lack of effort on his part.
After The Natural went wood in the hood,
he spent the next few years trying really hard
to sell out, appearing on an embarrassing
MTV special with his wife and getting Puff
Daddy to produce the lead single off his next
album (which flopped). So, do him a favor
and rescue this from the dollar bin next time
you see it.
Smoothe Da Hustla – Once Upon a
11 Time in America (Profile, 1996)
Even though Once Upon a Time was released
at the beginning of the shiny suit era,
Smoothe poses on the album cover rocking
baggy jeans and a hoodie. The cover art is
a good indication of the music contained
within. Smoothe spits rugged raps over the
hard hitting drums and horn stabs of producer
D/R Period. In a more just world, this
would be considered an east coast classic.
12
Kam – Neva Again (Street
Knowledge, 1993)
Executive-produced by Ice Cube and
released on his Street Knowledge label,
Neva Again was proof that it wasn’t all hos
and drive-bys out in L.A. Without ever sacrificing
his flow, Kam touches on a variety
of sociopolitical issues over some seriously
funky beats. Nobody makes music like this
anymore, and that’s a damn shame.
SLEPT-ON continued on page 13
IN/AUDIBLE fall 2004 5