Furthermore, the solo albums only made them better MCs. I think the jump, emceeing wise, from 36 Chambers to Wu-Tang Forever was in-part due to the solos. It gave them a comfortable space to build their identity and sharpen their skills.

Anyways, Raekwon offers an interesting take that I’ve never heard before. Check it out…

Trae and Maino redefine the four elements of hip hop culture. lol. Anyways, dope song and cool video. Aside from the DJ Khaled feature, I’m definitely feelin this.

Trae f/ Maino – Sex, Drugs, Money & Murder

-Str8 G

La the Darkman

In high school, I was a complete Wu-nerd. I think all hip hop heads around my age went through that period at some point. I copped every Wu group album, solo releases, compilations, and even the joints from their numerous “aphilliated” (lmao) acts. One such release was La the Darkman’s Heist of the Century (1998).

It’s getting increasingly tougher to remember that far back, but I’m pretty sure I had no reason to cop this album other than it being Wu-Related. Back then, I would often buy albums without hearing them first and this was one such case. Luckily for me, the album was a banger. It had all the right elements, dark beats, enlightened thuggery, and vicious spitting. Production was handled mostly by Carlos “SixBroady, one of Puff’s Hitmen, who produced some dope thun music with Capone N Noreaga among others. Also contributing heaters were DJ Muggs, RZA, Havoc, and 4th Disciple (for an independent, this record had a big production budget). Along with La, the album features dope verses from Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, and Masta Killa. So yeah, this album was flames and, at some point, I was listening to it on a daily basis.  Check some tracks:

Heist of the Century (prod. DJ Muggs)

Lucci (prod. by Carlos Broady)

Polluted Wisdom (prod. by RZA)

After the album, Darkman basically fell of the face of the earth (to me at least). Flash forward ten years. I have somehow managed to make it through high school, slid through college, and working on a couple of grad degrees. One day, out of no where, I came across La the Darkman’s name on some blog in reference to DJ Drama & the Aphiliates. Confused as hell, I did a little more digging and found out that he is actually president of the Aphiliates music group, home of DJ Drama (Gangsta Grillz) and La’s younger brother, Willie the Kid. Needless to say, La switched his style up a bit, producing more accessible sounding material. His former grimy, dark New York sound wouldn’t mesh with the Southern crunk of the Aphilliates and is virtually absent in today’s commercial landscape. No beef here, just amazed that this former underground Wu-Fam member is now rolling with the Aphilliates and making tracks with Ray-J, the Dream, Too Short, and Gucci Mane (!) .

Sweat (w/Ray J, Fabolous)

Tipper Love (w/ The Deam, Too $hort)

Hand on my Glock (w/ Willie the Kid)

Check out this dope interview with  La the Darkman from last year. It offers a lot of insight into his career.

*Chunk Deuce*

This new Nas joint is fire. It never fails. Cats always wanna talk about what new rappers is the best lyricist and yada yada. In the late 1990s you had Canibus. A few years ago, you had Lupe. Over the last couple of months, its been Drake. But, as long as he’s alive, it will always come back to Nas. “Film” is some 1996 – 1999 era Nas, which means its cold blooded. Dope board work by C-Sick. Check it!

Nas – Film (prod. by C-Sick)

*chunk deuce*

Raekwon f/Method Man & Ghostface “New Wu” original

second version without Ghostface

I’ve always wanted to be in a Wu video. I can stand in the backgrounded, hoodied and Tim’d up with the best of them. When am I gonna get a shot??

Peace

D.I.R.T. promises to be a must have for hardcore hip hop heads. Production duties are handled by Black Milk, Khrysis, Evidence, Marco Polo, EZ Mo Bee (!) and more. The album also includes guest appearances from Duck Down artists Buckshot, Smif N Wessun, Ruste Juxx, and The Representativz.

Here’s the tentative tracklisting:

1.) Intro

2.) Insane (Produced by Marco Polo)

3.) Chipmunk 3000 (Produced by Fatim)

4.) Everything Is Heltah Skeltah (Produced by ILL MIND)

5.) D.I.R.T. (Another Boot Camp Clik Yeah Song) (Produced by Khrysis)

6.) So Damn Tough f/Buckshot and Ruste Juxx (Produced by ILL MIND)

7.) WMD f/Smif N Wessun (Produced by M-Phazes)

8.) That’s Incredible (Produced by EZ Mo Bee)

9.) Ape Muzik f/ The Representativz (Produced by Stu Bangas)

10.) The Art of Disrespekanization (Produced by Khrysis)

11.) Hellz Kitchen (Produced by Evidence)

12.) Shmack Muzik (Produced by Sic Beats)

13.) Twinz (Produced by Ken Ring)

14.) Ruck N Roll (Produced by Stu Bangas)

Go cop that when it comes out. I think the Boot Camp Click is one of the best collectives out there and Heltah Skeltah is my favorite group from it. Get their new album and their old albums. Also try to get everything BCC has released. Duck Down/BCC is 100% pure hardcore hip hop.

Boot Camp Click appreciation post coming real soon.

Peace

Kurious

Hip-hop heads remember Kurious from his 1994 album, A Constipated Monkey, which featured the hot singles “Walk Like A Duck” and “I’m Kurious.” He should also be remembered for his classic guest verse on “? Questions” from MF Doom’s Doomsday album. Well, Kurious is releasing his sophomore LP, II, on Amalgam Digital on 10/18/08. The lead single , “Back From Up Unda,” features Amalgam Digital label-mate Max B. Check out the video!