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Classics Revisited: Outkast – Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
These days, the word “classic” is thrown around as loosely as a Nerf ball at a picnic. However, we at TRU consider classics to be something which stand the test of time and have a resounding influence on their respective fields. But how do albums considered classics sound to the ears of TRU’s young blood? Aaron J. McKrell was born in 1990 and we’ve convinced him to turn his scope on a classic from the rich history of hip-hop to view it through a contemporary lens in a weekly series we call…
Lazily funk’d out. Soufully enriched. Subtly sensual. These are just some of the words that describe Outkast’s debut LP, ‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik,’ which finds the two dope boyz welcoming you into their Cadillac to take a ride through the hoods of the ATL.
On the surface, this album is dirty dirty south at its finest. Big Boi and Andre 3000- at the time known as Dre- play off each other better than any duo I’ve ever heard. Listen to the two trade bars on ‘Player’s Ball.’ The track is a playboy’s paradise, with the two flavorful emcees riding one of the smoothest beats in history. Elsewhere, Outkast gets things live with the hardcore “Ain’t No Thang,” or the daydream that is the title track.
However, if you think Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik is all about pimpin’ hoes and slammin’ Cadillac doors, you’re probably a Toby Keith fan. Or a Taylor Swift fan. Or maybe you just don’t understand. Dre and Big Boi pump this album with truths galore, starting with ‘Myintrotoletyouknow’ and refusing to let up until ‘Player’s Ball (Reprise)’ fades out. The album’s finest song, “Git Up Git Out,” finds Outkast rhyming with Goodie Mob about days past. Everyone brings their A(TL)-game on the song, and the result is a positive, funky cut for the ages. Elsewhere, the pair philosophizes about life on ‘Crumblin’ Erb,’ betraying the fact that they’re wise...
DOWNLOAD: SoulBrotha aka SB – 4letterwrd EP
Just when you’re offline for a while, due to a weekend filled to the brim with parties, is when SB drop his latest, eagerly anticipated EP with producer Aeon (of Lessondary and Tanya Morgan fame). I might need a late pass, but this still thumps though. I’ll let the man describe the project in his own words:
The project is a conceptual one based on the various kinds of love we encounter/experience fundamentally as human beings in society: love for one’s Maker, love between lovers, love for life, friends and family.
DOWNLOAD: SoulBrotha aka SB – 4letterwrd EP
J.Monkey
1982 was when Jaap van der Doelen aka...
SNL celebrates Jay & Beyonce’s baby with skit of the year
Last night the often uneven “Saturday Night Live” gave us one of their best episodes in a long time and a skit that may rank among this decade’s best. (If you’re unable to see clips from the NBC-run Hulu.com you can take your chances with this YouTube version.)
Are we saying this because it was about the blessed baby Blue Ivy?
No. But because it included Jay Pharoah’s spot-on Jigga impersonation, host Maya Rudolph’s wonderful Beyonce, Brangelina’s tingling “baby sense,” a spastic Nicki Minaj clone, “White Butler,” and Justin Timberlake as a sleepy Bon Iver.
The only thing missing? A perfectly reasonable crazy Blue Ivy Illuminati theory.
Sketch the JournalistSketch the Journalist is a freelance writer living in the thriving country metropolis of Cut-N-Shoot, Texas. Down with gospel rap since Stephen Wiley’s “Bible Break” in 1986, he has chewed, reviewed, and interviewed most of Christian hip...
Meet Rap’s Newest Supergroup: M.A.R.S.
Rap doesn’t exactly have an unmblemished track record when it comes to supergroups. The Commission, Weathermen, Crooklyn Dodgers and the rumored Pharoahe/Black Thought/Mos Def/Talib collabo are just a few that spring to mind. They once had people bouncing off the wall with excitement over future prospects that, for various reasons, never panned out. Still, Slaughterhouse and Random Axe actually happened, so who knows, maybe times have changed. The M.A.R.S. collective, consisting of (Cor)Mega, Action Bronson, Roc Marciano and Saigon, seems to be all set to at least drop a single, and with production duties handled by Large Professor it can’t come soon enough for yours truly.
You know, while it never really went anywhere, these guys could actually rightfully trot out the old cliche of “Bringing New York back.” If this project coalesces into the awesomeness it should be capable of rap is in for something major! Not necessarily...
The Brain Trust On Schoolboy Q’s ‘Habits & Contradictions’
Life for members of the BT is more than weed and brew, but among our members we’ve found three of them willing to put aside the daily grind for a moment and pen down their thoughts on what surprisingly turns out to be one of the biggest albums of 2012 so far. Want to know how the rest of ‘Habits & Contradictions’ stacks up the bona fide anthem it contains? Read on for a trifecta of opinions.
Schoolboy Q is the next member of the TDE/Black Hippy collective to release his sophomore album, and there are no signs of the infamous ‘sophomore slump’ whatsoever. A knack for emblematic lines and left-field ad-libs help create captivating songs, but Q’s biggest asset is his voice. From an exaggeratedly excited squeak in ‘There He Go’ to a smooth playalistic tone in ‘My Hatin’ Joint,’ a gruff growl...
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