Milwaukee Hip-Hop: Part Three

Peace.

So, there is ALWAYS a negative. Always a don't, a can't, a shouldn't or some other negative term of not being able. Although I like him as a person, Young Nova and his "A-Team" are getting some rants from me. I'm normally raving about hometown talent. I feel they deserve it. Nova and his buddies are not on that list. Sorry boys. His newest single, "The Man In My Town", is nothing more than a local Shawty Lo track. Here is my break down on it.

The flow is sing-songy.

• You are not from the islands.
• You are not Shawty Lo, D4L, or Nelly.
• This is not a "song for da ladies".

The beat is simple.

• Anyone with garageband on a Mac can throw this together in less than an hour.
• I don't see much effort in the bass line or the melody.

The lyrics:

• Simple with not much use of colorful vocabulary.
• The song doesn't really tell me why you should be "the man in your town".

Now. I tried to be as objective as possible. I even let several people who've NEVER heard of Young Nova or A-Team hear it. And I was right. The song sucks. It lacks creativity. Originality. Cleverness. Wit. And intelligent use of metaphors or punchlines. I'm all for respecting someone gettin right to the point but damn...can I get a little teaser? And I'm sure the song is dumbed down for one of two reasons. They're either not that smart, the target audience isn't that smart....or both.


Listen to "Man In My Town" here.

Honestly....I think they should try again. Give people something new. Stand out.


Just Listen. ~ Soul

Milwaukee Hip-Hop: Part Two

So I talk about UMG (Umbrella Music Group) quite often. Mostly because I think they are becoming a benchmark in Milwaukee's hip hop scene. They are all so different but aren't the best without each other. They're like our Roc-a-Fella, our Dynasty. Previously I introduced you to Prophetic. Today I'm talkin about Yo Dot. He's street. He's hood. He's gritty. He's dirty (not literally). He is the epitome of what America sees in a "Nigga". You know that type. They started off all wrong. Getting into trouble. Not taking care of business by "The Mans" standards. Having children at a young age. You know the story. Well a while back, Yo ran into some problems with his son's mother and ended up doin a bid. He'll be released from probation in 2010. In the meantime, he's went back to school so he won't be labeled a college dropout. And making music and raising his son are his top priorites.



His style is unlike any other I've ever heard. Take Joe Budden, Jay-Z, and Stack Bundles. Now fuse them together into one body. Physically that may not be too appealing. Lyrically. It's sick. His flow is smooth yet gritty. He's got a Jigga swagger with the honesty of Budden and the grit of Bundles. It's ridiculous. You can check out his music (along with the rest of UMG) here. Yo Dot has been rappin for quite a long time and it's his goal to make it. I asked Yo Dot,"Why do you rap?"

This is what he told me:

"I rap because:

1. To provide financial stability 4 my son & my families generations to come.

2. To provide an vocal outlet to the misguided youth who seem to think that indulging in negative activities is necessary when living amongst poverty & unfortunate surroundings.

3. To be a prominent figure that Milwaukee's younger generation hasn't had since forever...... Most African American celebrities who originated from the city never seem to reach back to the youth on a consistent basics to ensure hope for the future for the youth in the community.

4. B/c I would like to share with the world my story about the trials & tribulations & mistakes I've been through in life.... & for people all over the world who relate to my struggle can identify with their personal problems & issues & use my music hopefully to solve or bring a resolution to the obstacles that make their day 2 day lives difficult."

And look at that, he has good grammar and spelling skills. I'm so proud.



Just Listen. ~Soul

Detroit Rappers part 2 - Guilty Simpson

Peace.

So...I was listening to J Dilla's [R.I.P] 'The Shining' and I was pickin out my favorite joints. I came across this one joint called 'Baby'. The beat was sick, the hook was addictive and the lyrical content fed my insatiable appetite for true hip-hop skills. This was back in like....06, I think. Anyway. That became my JAM. That whole album was...but that isn't the point. I heard this cat spittin and it was absolutely ridiculous. Time went by and I was reintroduced to him through J Dilla's 'Ruff Draft'. I was hooked. His flow is so calm and I usually don't like when I can't hear obvious emotion in a lyricists voice. But Guilty Simpson has emotion....lots of it. And it's obvious. Just in a different way. The manner in which his flow unrolls is calm, cool, and almost sensual. He sounds so serious that you can't help but take him seriously.



Now he's got this new album out. I've been rockin to it the past couple of months and it's dope. 'I Must Love You' has got to be the anthem of all young urban relationships. Check him out ASAP.


Just Listen. ~Soul

Hip Hop and The Grammys

Peace.

The Grammy Awards.....does it really solidify you as an artist once you're given one? I don't think so. I think it's hit or miss. But if you look back at history...most artists fell the fuck off after they won a Grammy.

Nelly, Lauryn Hill,LL Cool J, and even T.I. haven't had the same impact on hip hop since they won Grammys. Lauryn went nuts and no one's really seen her since. Nelly, no comment. LL Cool J is trying to make moves in the fashion world and he recently released Exit 13. Both are lost causes in my opinion. And T.I. hasn't made major waves since he released King.

They either fall off or become extremely hip-pop. I think it's sad in a way. They start off hungry. They want fame, attention, gratification, money, respect, and a voice that carries through history. But instead they become mainstays on Top 40 radio stations across the country. Their fans are no longer graf artists with backpacks, or hood niggas with 45's in their waistbands. Their new fan base is teenage White America. Is that really success? Or is that sellin out?




Just Listen. ~Soul