Video of the Week 2: Smif-N-Wessun-Bucktown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwQSq5iZdpQ

"Got 5 emcee that wanna come test we, got ya nooses ready hangin over the tree, bring on ya sound and get drowned by my massive, kill ya bati boy and leave ya lover for hostage"

Blowout Comb

Digable Planets is a hip hop trio with origins in Brooklyn. Consisting of members Butterfly, Doodlebug, & Ladybug Mecca, Digable Planets was one of the most critically acclaimed groups of the newly christened "Alternative Rap" genre. Their first album "Reachin" recieved immense critical acclaim, popularized by the classic single "The Rebirth of Slick(Cool Like Dat'). With their second release, Blowout Comb, largely continuing the formula of their first album. On Blowout Comb, the group itself produces the whole album, using a variety of jazz anthems to paint the musical canvas. The result is a largely laid back, smooth album, perfect to lay back to. You

know you're in for a treat when you hear the sample of Roy Ayers "We Live In Brooklyn, Baby" for the amazing track "Borough Check", which pays homage to Brooklyn. My favorite beat on the album, however, is the beautiful "Jettin", which contains a keyboard sample from the legendary Bob James. Amazing. Blowout Comb is an album that must be heard by anyone with an interest in A Tribe Called Quest, Black Sheep, De La Soul, or The Pharcyde. The beats, combined with the smooth lyrics of Ladybug, Doodlebug, & Butterfly make for a truly unique hip hop album.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=B25JL1SG

Joyful Rebellion

K-os is one of the most unique emcees in the rap game today. The canadian born artist is known for rapping, singing, and playing the guitar and keys on most of his records. Joyful Rebellion, his second release, is a diverse album that knows no musical boundries. From the acoustic guitar of "Emcee Murdah" to the reggae influenced "Crucial" to a rock track "Dirty Water", to the old school b boy record(B-Boy Stance). There is even a track that was obviously influenced by the great Michael Jackson(Man I Used To Be) and it actually turns out as one of the strongest on the album. K-os has an unorthodox rap delivery, but his words come out clear, and the music is sure to keep anyone interested. He's also a surprisingly adept singer, and an even better producer. Listening to Joyful Rebellion you can hear all the styles that influenced K-os. In a time where hip hop music was stagnant, K-os is not afraid to be different, and it works with flying colors. While some artists try to be different for obscure acclaim or to be known as "avant garde", K-os does it just for the music, and you can tell in the high quality of the finished product. It's one thing to branch out and try different styles, it's another thing to do it well, and that's what K-os does all throughout Joyful Rebellion.

http://rapidshare.com/files/10373882/_2004__Joyful_Rebellion.rar

Video of the week 1: Originoo Gunn Clappaz- "No Fear"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqJa0Uig9Gw

"We be, steppin in hotta this year, Starang comin like a hurricane with no fear"

The tracks is also a subliminal diss at Notorious B.I.G.

The Sun Rises In The East

Brooklyn emcee Jeru The Damaja's debut album. A must have for any fan of Gang Starr. DJ Premier handles the entirety of the production. I remember listening to this album and being absolutely amazed at Premier's work on the boards. From the eerie strings of "Ain't The Devil Happy" to the water pipes on the album's highlight "Come Clean", every track is perfection. Some cite this as DJ Premiers finest, most focused work, and while I won't go there, it would definitely be in my top 3 Premo projects. Almost overshadowed by Premo so far in this blog is emcee Jeru The Damaja, who is one of the most gifted lyricists to ever come out of the borough of Brooklyn. Jeru thinks of himself as a hip hop savior, even going so far to proclaim himself as a "Prophet". Jeru's lyrics focus on Afrocentricity, and perservering hip hop in it's purest form, along with a clever storytelling track(Can't Stop The Prophet). I compare Jeru positively to KRS-One in many ways, even the two emcees voices sound kind of similar. Fitting that Jeru samples The Blastmaster himself for standout track "Brooklyn Took It". Overall, The Sun Rises In The East is a landmark underground hip hop album from the early 90's, with amazing production and dope lyricism from one of BK's most underrated poets. Check it,

http://www.sendspace.com/file/yjnoju