I have been on a real 90’s kick since realising I am part of the Wonderwall Generation and posting the Oasis classic Champagne Supernova a couple of weeks ago.
This is a cheesy hip hop classic of the era. I love the band name, just the wrong side of preposterous which is just the right side of perfect for a Hip Hop group. Also, the intro here is just ridiculous but great at the same time. All my guilty pleasures seem to have a healthy does of excess about them!
/RjK
*Artist #599
I had been racking my brain trying to work out where I recognised the Fela Kuti track I posted last week from. It finally struck me that it was this gem from InI. It was produced by Pete Rock who, along with DJ Premier and J.Dilla, is one of my very favourite hip hop producers.
I love how languid it sounds and also can’t help but admire his imagination managing to take the Afrobeat classic Water no get enemy and end up with this is quite a leap!
/RjK
*Artist #596
I am a little in two minds about whether posting guilty pleasures on a Friday was a successful ploy or not last year. This has lead me to wonder whether it is worth continuing or not. Let me know if you have any feedback on this. My current thinking is that it’s good to mix things up so I will continue it for now but perhaps review it again in a couple of months.
This track is a favourite. I am actually very surprised I haven’t posted it already. While I might connect with some other Outkast songs in a more substantial fashion, this is simply one of, if not the best pop song I have ever heard. On the basic level of “Does it make you want to move?“, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Shake it, shake it like a Polaroid Picture, shake it, shake it…
/RjK
2012 was the year of hip hop. Or certainly that’s how it seemed to me. I have been thinking about my top tracks of 2012 over the past few days. Look out for a few tasty hip hop numbers to slip in there (I’ll post the list tomorrow). My admiration for the genre has certainly been reignited over the past 12 months after a long spell of disillusionment.
As such, it seems appropriate to end my second year of blogging with two titans of the scene. Also, I ended year one with Otis and there is a nice symmetry to ending year two with him also.
The track is filled with clever rhymes, it’s like Jay-Z and Kanye are trying to get one over on each other with each passing verse.
Luxury rap, the Hermes of verses. Sophisticated ignorance, write my curses in cursive…
An added bonus is a cameo in the video of Aziz Ansari (AKA the hillatious Tom Haverford from Parks and Recreation).
Happy new year…
/RjK
Kooley High* – David Thompson
This mellow number has been helping me with my turkey-induced post Christmas stupour. It’s from North Carolina’s Kooley High, who I have been really enjoying recently.
It’s taken from the Album of the same name which was released about a year ago and was named afer David “Skywalker” Thompson and not my buddy, neighbour and sometimes blog contibutor of the same name!
/RjK
*Artist #582
Will Smith* – Gettin’ jiggy wit’ it (GPF)
The Fresh Prince of Bel Air!
I was inspired to post this by last week’s guilty pleasure, He’s The Greatest Dancer which this samples extensively (and in fairness to pretty good effect). I was in two minds though until I saw the video (it’s frustrating that I wasn’t able to find a better quality one) and then couldn’t resist.
/RjK
*Artist #579
Shabazz Palaces – Recollections of the wraith
Over recent days I have been totally smitten by this, probably more so than any track I have heard in the past few weeks. The sample so fresh, I have found myself utterly hypnotised by it.
Some nice mellow listening to ease us all into the last week before Christmas. It is taken from Seattle-based hip hoppers Shabazz Palaces’ debut studio album Black Up.
Is it just me or can I hear a bit of Outkast in their music?
/RjK
Washington D.C. artist Oddisee has been a big favourite of mine over the past couple of years. He makes music that is both articulate and funky, a potent mixture.
He has had a very prolific 18 months, releasing to excellent albums (Rock Creek Parks, which this is taken from as well as The Carter Baron which I posted earlier in the year and People hear what they see) and Odd Renditions, a mix tape full of interesting mash ups (such as the Aretha Franklin/Bon Iver number which I also posted a couple of months ago).
I really like this track, it is simple and mellow which was exactly what I needed as I recovered from my excesses on Thursday evening (just about there now).
/RjK
Naught by nature* – Hip hop hooray (GPF)
This isn’t too substantial but it is an old fashioned party tune. A hip hop banger from New Jersey’s Naughty by nature, which I think is a pretty amazing name for a band.
/RjK
*Artist #570
Los Angeles rapper Kendrick Lamar is one of a Cadre of new hip hop artists who have caught my attention in 2012 to very pleasing effect. This is taken off his recently released major label debut studio album good kid, M.A.A.D. city.
While I don’t love the repeated use of the word bitch, otherwise I really like what the song has to say. Also, given the reviews I have read and how much I like the album I expect to hear much more from Kendrick in 2013.
I can feel the changes. I can feel the new people around me just wanna be famous…
/RjK
*Artist #566