While there's a few bloggers who I've stumbled upon that share the feeling with me (most notably, Pinboard), everyone else seems to absolutely hate Common's Electric Circus album. It's the one that knocked him into near hip hop obscurity as a general outsider in the years before Kanye and Be rescued him. But you know what? Screw everyone else's opinions. It'll say right here and now that EC is my favorite Common album. Yeah, suck on that one.
I may write a full length review one day on it, but for now I just wanted to post one of the most classic posse cuts that has ever been assembled. And the super crazy thing is ... it's all R&B singers ... and the song ain't even a "We Are the World" remix.
Common - Heaven Somewhere (feat. Omar, Cee-Lo, Jill Scott, Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, & Lonnie "Pops" Lynn)
Com did an amazingly crazy thing when he assembled his chorus-singing features for this album. He retained each one to record a powerfully personal verse on the album's closing track, singing about what "heaven" means to them. And it turned out beyond perfect. The Soulquarians collective, who helmed nearly all of the electro-soul-funk production of the rest of the album, took this song and tweaked it masterfully to highlight each singer independently and reflect their message of heaven. All this comes after a strong spoken word-styled intro by Common that sets up the opus. It's an extensive track, but trust me when I say that you need this joint in your life.
... but do take my word for it.
Showing posts with label Erykah Badu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Erykah Badu. Show all posts
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Classic: Heaven Somewhere
Monday, August 31, 2009
Snippet #2: Obamamania?
Question: Everyone knows that every rapper and their momma hopped on the Obama bandwagon come election time, but do you know the very first artist to lend bars in support of our current president?
Hint ... it's not will.i.am or Jigga or Crooked I or Ludacris or anyone who put out a mixtape tribute to the man recently. What if I told you it was all the way back in 2004?
"Why is Bush actin' like he tryinna get Osama?
Why don't we impeach him and elect Obama?"
That couplet is from Jadakiss' remix to his (only?) smash single "Why". And they come from Common. This was Com just months after Kanye single-handedly resuscitated his public perception with a feature on The College Dropout while Be was still just "under construction". How many people actually followed politics close enough in 2004 to know who the newly-nominated United States senator from Illinois was? Certainly not me. Barack didn't gain national steam until well into 2007. I just wanted to let you know who started the movement in case ya didn't already know. Hidden sneakily in between references to his ex-boo Erykah Badu, religious ponderings, and Britney Spears dissing while also in the mix of Jada, Styles P, Nas and Anthony Hamilton, it could have slipped by anybody.
Jadakiss - Why (Remix feat. Styles P, Common, Nas, & Anthony Hamilton)
... but do take my word for it.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Women in Hip Hop
I'm not gonna use this post as a doctoral thesis on their role in hip hop (maybe some other time), but in leu of me and Ern's back-and-forth rap track "Here I Is", I wanted to share the greatest hip hop dude-and-chick duets you may or may not have heard before.
Sorry, but Miss Rap Supreme is unfortunately not characteristic of how impressive female emcees can spit. The first two tracks are beautiful, albeit uncomfortable, love stories with true perspective. Amazing and emotional storytelling. The second two are straight hard-hitting, no nonsense lyricism. I need to get better up on Apani B's music. I only have two tracks from her currently, but she's something else on the mic. But I still hold my firm opinion that Lauryn Hill is the greatest non-testosterone laced rapper of all time.
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