Tech N9ne-Hard Liquor review by John M. Ellison IV

Tech N9ne-Hard Liquor

I’ve been meaning to review Tech N9ne’s Bad Season for weeks! In this case, I’ll focus on the track “Hard Liquor.” For those who might not be aware, this track is from the long awaited “Detox” album. After doing some research, I found out a few facts about the lineage of this track…

The original track for Hard Liquor featured west coast rapper the Game on “The Detox Chroniclez” mixtape. The Detox Chroniclez is a mixtape series that features unused tracks from the “Detox” sessions.

The beat for “Hard Liquor” was used on The Game’s L.A.X. for the interlude titled “Hard Liquor (interlude).”

On the album L.A.X., Travis Barker is playing drums on the track “Dope Boys.”

Anyway, this is a “rock remix” featuring Blink-182 drummer and I guess producer Travis Barker. Barker’s live drums and guitar work compliments Dre’s original production work and gives it the vibe of something you would hear off the “Entourage” soundtrack. Understand that you don’t hear Barker’s contribution until roughly two minutes into the track where the song basically restarts.

In closing, I feel that Tech did the “Hard Liquor” beat justice and displayed his lyrical ability to an audience that might not be familiar with him. Enjoy.

Raphael Saadiq “Radio” review by John M. Ellison IV

Can somebody tell me exactly what’s the deal with this 50’s-60’s pop music trend in urban pop music now? I mean, Gnarls Barkley, R. Kelly, Solange are doing this retro 50’s pop pastiche now. Oddly enough, this isn’t new. I remember rappers like Esham on the “Mail Dominance” album back in ‘97 using 50’s or 50’s inspired tunes and even Bruno Mars’s album is called “Doo-Wops and Hooligans.” Seriously, the 50’s was one of the worst eras to be black in America! …Well, until like the mid-late 60’s.

Honestly, sound wise it kind of reminds me of the rockabilly revival in the 70’s and 80’s actually in the rock world actually.

Now you have Raphael Saadiq taking retro to a new level with his song “Radio.” “Radio” is a 50’s-mid 60’s style rocker that’s modern and retro at the same time. The sound and structure is a pastiche of surf music, classic r&b, soul and rock and roll Structure wise it sounds like somewhere between a 12-bar blues and AABA song structure that was popular in said time period. Good guitar twang and the slightly overdriven, trebly AM radio effect on his vocals is catchy.

In closing, “Radio” was okay but probably has to grow on me a little more. Sounds like a fun song to learn though. Hopefully, this trend overall might re-invigorate interest in the pioneers and bridge any potential generation gaps between older and younger listeners.

Tundra Rap from the Mighty Boosh!

Hey folks, I’m working on a few reviews and I’m a bit backlogged. Anyway, it’s snowing in Maryland right now and the first thing I could think of when the snow started to accumulate is the episode of the British comedy series “The Mighty Boosh” where the main characters Vince and Howard are out in the Tundra to retrieve the Egg of Mantumbi. These guys are hilarious! Hopefully they come out with something new. Anyway, check out “Tundra Rap.” Peace.

What’s the “The Jester” dude?

Hey folks! I guess I can attribute pacific northwest rapper Knothead for this but I decided to look through some of my old demo/riff tapes for song ideas. I admit, I get anxious about listening to my older stuff. But, I was surprised how fairly fresh these riffs sound. In this case, I’m looking to re-record a few of these gems soon for upcoming albums. Anyway, I’m working on an album tentatively titled “The Jester.” You’re probably asking “What’s the Jester,dude?” Well, “The Jester,” is an instrumental rock album that’s about 5 tracks long.

Why the short track length? Simple, instead of bogging down an album of 50% “hits” and 50% “well…you know” I decided to cut it to maximum 5 tracks. But don’t fret, the album reviews are coming soon.

Knothead on Reverbnation

Didn’t Tiny Learn Anything from “No Hands?” by John M. Ellison IV

“TMZ reports the rapper was sent to a special housing unit after getting caught with Tiny’s hand down his pants.

The prison rules allow for a kiss and a hug at the beginning of the encounter and then hands must remain in plain view for the rest of your visit. Tiny didn’t get the memo on this one apparently and says she hasn’t spoke to T.I. since the incident.”

In this case, I don’t have any deep thoughts on this. I’m more or less biding time with stories of inane urban pop culture that amuse me until I do some album reviews. Besides, I just find the story amusing; I mean how can you overanalyze a hand job folks? So…now onto the corny double entendre and potentially over used puns!

Isn’t it odd that Tiny beats a drug rap avoiding jail time and then gets in trouble for beating off a rapper?

I can’t say T.I.’s a wack rapper…but I can say he’s a rapper that’s been whacked off.

I can understand if Tiny’s embarrassed…but we can all agree that T.I. was choked up about this.

I can imagine some of the readers are probably going “*scoffs* Are you done yet?” No, not really. But, I thought I’d get a few jokes out though. Besides, in September 2010 when T.I. and Tiny were facing criminal charges they were at the Uptown comedy club in Atlanta to catch comedian D.L. Hughely’s show. D.L. Hughley spotted them and joked about T.I.’s legal woes and the couple took it in stride. So, I assume Tiny and T.I. have a sense of humor about moments like this. Besides, we all have had embarrassing moments and the best thing to do is try to find the humor in them so the humiliation stings less.

Remember, people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones…and if you’re throwing hand’s in use then it’s technically impossible to do both at the same time.

source:

http://www.tmz.com/2011/01/05/t-i-tiny-prison-punishment-visitation-tiny-the-hole-arkansas/

When Keeping it Hood Goes Horrible! by John M. Ellison IV

There’s a video circulating right now that features an uncle disciplining his nephew for misrepresenting himself on Facebook. Sounds harsh, huh? Let me clarify, when I say misrepresenting himself, I meant that he was claiming he was a “gangsta” or an “e-thug.” So, next thing you know the uncle of this little poser “ain’t having that shit” and whips his nephew with a belt then has him post the video on his Facebook page. When I describe it through text it actually sounds worse. See for yourself…

To be fair, I wasn’t spanked as a kid. I was talked to and reasoned with and it worked. I don’t advocate spankings and I feel that they’re a barbaric and archaic form of discipline…but I admit this spanking looked like a re-enactment of the last scene “House Party” and was amusing. So, take this as a message to these little posers, Big Stank and Little Poot’s (See Big Money Hustlas) out there, The consequences for your e-posturing can catch up with you…and in this case, the form of a pissed off pot bellied black dude with a belt that could be your uncle.

Is Kanye West aiming to be the New Alice Cooper? by John M Ellison IV

“Alice Cooper?” Yes…the post-”Screamin’” Jay Hawkins and pre-Marilyn Manson shock rocker whose macabre theatrics that included electrocutions, beheadings and *gasp* androgyny and other gimmicks to scare the proverbial crap out of most reserved, straight laced parents in the 70’s.

When I posed this question earlier online, the common sentiment was from my classic rock fans was “How can you compare that ego maniac Kanye West to Alice Cooper?!” Well, the comparison comes from Kanye West’s what I call “villain of rap” gimmick. I mean, from the first single such as “Power” and most recently I’ll use the fairly gruesome video for “Monster” as an example. This video for “Monster” contains scenes of models that are either dismembered, decapitated and hanging from a noose. It’s pretty gruesome sounding content, huh?
When I first viewed the video in its entirety, honestly, it spooked me out…and then it reminded me of the videos for “Satanic Verses”,”Live Evil” etc. by former Def Jam group and horrorcore pioneers, Flatlinerz…coincidence?

Anyway, here’s the video for Monster-Kanye West ft. Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj and Bon Iver

Monster
Uploaded by yardie4lifever2. – Explore international webcam videos.

…Now if you aren’t totally mortified by now and spooked out, check out some footage from shock rocker Alice Cooper.

Alice Cooper Decapitation routine

Footage of Alice Cooper Hanging off a Noose from the Killer Tour back in 70’s

Notice any similarities? Well, that’s the point. I mean, even Kanye’s album is called “My Beautiful Dark and Twisted Fantasy” with a title like that, what part of that do some people not understand there’s going to be provocative and creepy imagery? In closing, just realize that there’s nothing new under the sun…just stuff you haven’t discovered yet.

Gucci Mane Committed to Mental Facility by John M. Ellison IV

From TMZ
“The 30-year-old rapper — real name Radric Davis — appeared in a Georgia courtroom yesterday after filing a “Special Plea of Mental Incompetency” … in which he explained he was in no state to “intelligently participate in the probation revocation hearing.”

We’re told Gucci is currently at the treatment facility.”

I’m not exactly familiar with the work of Gucci Mane per se. Rap wise, he’s not really my forte, I’m more of a Tech N9ne, Esham, Aesop Rock etc. kind of guy. Well, aside from skimming through Murder Dog magazine and stumbling upon an article about him, I never really paid that much attention to him.

But, If he’s in the midst of a mental breakdown or had previous mental issues that have been unaddressed, this can be a big help for him. If he’s going through some issues and this isn’t some scam as some are trying to imply, then I wish him a speedy recovery.

source:
TMZ

Settling Back Home After Vacation…

Hey folks,

As you probably know or don’t know, I was on a road trip with my family where we drove cross country from Maryland (East Coast) to Hollywood,CA (West Coast.) When people found out we drove, some were surprised by this. Why not? Anyway, I’m kind of loopy off of time zone shifts. But, I’ll get to articles, features as soon as I can. Also, I want to wish everyone a great 2011 personally and professionally.