DIJEH's rap TV (Episode 2): THE MAGNIFICENT 60 tracks produced by DJ Premier (Part II)
Jun 26 '08 (Updated Dec 10 '08)
The Bottom Line Stay tuned for part III
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As aired on Dijeh's Rap Channel - DIJEH's rap TV (Episode 2)
DJ PREMIER'S DISCOGRAPHY: THE MAGNIFICENT 60
My magical collection of Top 60 Primo tracks - Part II
Author: dr_kdj_primo
Published by dr_kdj_primo for DIJEH inc. / Works of Art
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(Note: Dijeh is pronounced Dee-jay or D.J.)
INTRODUCTION
Welcome everybody to 'Episode 2' of 'DIJEH's rap TV', featuring myself, dr_kdj_primo who is here on 26th June, to host this show. In Epinion terms, I present a review of 'THE MAGNIFICENT 60 tracks produced by DJ Premier (Part II)' that will represent today's programme.
In 'Episode 1', I gave a comprehensive account of DJ Premier's creative productions and superlative collaborations with rappers in the first countdown from 60 to 51. Such magnificent collaborations included the interaction of Nas and Primo on I Gave You Power that was excellent to due to the original subject matter and influential instrumentation. Then there were modern tracks like It'z on involving Primo's current chemistry with NYGz that made the cut to my list owing to its master-class violin-driven instrumental.
Episode one was made available for viewing to readers browsing Epinions.com on 3rd February but eventually coming across my review and watching it like a TV programme. Much time has passed on Epinions since I put out my first agenda of the top 60 Primo tracks, but my mission has not changed. Therefore, I continue my onslaught of the six-part series of the documentary of Primo classic work with various music artists, starting with episode 2.
Part II is practically similar to part I, as you Epinion readers are going to meet familiar rap faces on my agenda from no. 50 to 41. But there will also be new rap faces appearing with Primo on this show. So to any rap listeners and fellow Epinion readers looking for something interesting to view, grab the television remote and switch to 'Dijeh's rap TV (Episode 2)'. Right, now that you ladies and gentlemen are ready, lets jump into the telly and make a musical entrance into THE PRIMO BILLBOARD CHARTS!
**** THE PRIMO BILLBOARD CHARTS ****
My colourful camera men adjust the lights to deep green as we hear rap fanatics in the packed arena, get ecstatic and scream, "HIP HOP!" Special effects camera women, please darken the atmosphere as we listen to Hip Hop fans chant, "PRIMO!" like an angel worshipped in heaven. Wonderful, boys and girls throw some sparkling electricity and glittering confetti, respectively over the cinematic TV screen like magic lightning before the TV viewers' eyes. As I switch on the large, television screen and make it gleam, let's get ready for the second countdown from 50 to 41:
50. NYGz - YA DAYZ R #D
(Note: NYGz is pronounced ....en-why-geez.... and "R #D" is an abbreviation for "are numbered").
[TV screen adjusting/Music video running/DJ Premier's voice sampling]
....now ladies and gentlemen, it's my pleasure to bring to you somebody that's for the real people.....
Yes, that's right, TV viewers, kicking off the beginning of part II of this show are NYGz and Primo, who are back to deliver REAL rap music. Epinion readers, rap listeners and those of y'all who got love for these Hip Hop performers, I proudly present YA DAYZ R #D at no. 50. This is where the modern DAYZ of Primo's second collaboration with NYGz R #D enters my agenda of 'The Magnificent 60' tracks.
The track commences with DJ Premier playing a few xylophone notes as his method of calibrating his production in majestic fashion. After this musical calibration, Primo samples the voice of a woman who I presume is a Black-American, judging by the tone of her accent. The female voice proudly announces,
[DJ Premier's sampling technique]
'....Now ladies and gentlemen, it's my pleasure to bring to you somebody that's for the real people.....'
Then after this official announcement, the musical production explodes into a beautiful composition of powerful violins, wonderful percussion and masterful sound effects. Primo uses the Kallo Bartok variety of violins for YA DAYZ R #D just like he did on It'z on. In both cases, the execution of the violin instrumentation is highly influential on me, but the magical feel of the violins on YA DAYZ R #D is different. The violin notes have a happier stress-singing tone, designed to set the mood of Ya dayz R #D on fire like a burning live wire. The clever mixture of violin notes and hard-hitting drum snares have the nature of grabbing my attention immensely. In addition, DJ Premier decorates his impressive production scheme with superlative scratching effects and man does he execute those voice sampling techniques extremely well! Through the high quality sound of voices, Primo sends a message to all the greedy cats that '....ya days are numbered....' in the record industry. Another feature of Primo's scratching that I found especially astonishing is '....get your chest out boy and be a man..... that enhances the catchy nature of the song.
The two NYGz rappers, Sha and Panchi, spit like underground Hip Hop soldiers over DJ Premier's instrumental. Both rap soldiers flow perfectly as their lyrical ability and vocal delivery matches the lovely arrangement of magnificent violin notes. Sha raps about real life issues and declares that he lives by '....the code of the streets....', thereby taking on the persona of an underground street ni**a. Panchi plays the role of a lively, street-wise emcee who punches my eardrums with a fistful of intricate rhyme schemes and immaculate wordplay. He steals the show with sick multi-syllables and slick delivery, thus bringing back the old DAYZ of awesome microphone skills that was very common before 1996. NYGz' fine rap performance goes out against CRAP emcees like Chingy, Khia, Nelly, Trina and all them other whack pu**ies out there. Watch out for Sha and Panchi signed to DJ Premier's Year round records label. They got YA DAYZ numbered!
YA DAYZ R #D is the second track off 'Welcome 2 G-dom' that is NYGz' debut album. It follows the first track, It'z on that I described in Episode 1 of DIJEH's rap TV. It was also released in October 2007 with an accompanying video that featured Primo in some of the scenes. The fact that YA DAYZ R #D is so energetic due to the lyrical delivery and influential melody, probably explains why this fantastic track became Sha and Panchi's lead single (in 12" vinyl CD format).
[Reference]
Album source: 'WELCOME 2 G-DOM'
(album review link: not applicable)
Album's track number - 2
Released as a single? - Yes
Video(s) - go to Dailymotion address: http://www.dailymotion.com/videos/relevance/search/NYGz/1
49. Nas - REPRESENT
At no. 49, Nas and Primo arrive together for the second time, live on DIJEH's rap TV to deliver another magnificent song called REPRESENT. This is where the mighty producer and street-poetry rapper team together like legendary Hip Hop performers to REPRESENT part II of this TV show for us rap listeners....
REPRESENT is one of the classic, musical chapters, taken from Nas' brilliant story line of 'ILLMATIC'. I listened to this rap tune back in July 2002, when I purchased 'Illmatic', feeling enthusiastic and fanatical to explore Nas' lyrical aptitude. According to my findings of REPRESENT, the result of Nas' workmanship with DJ Premier was truly magnificent. It showcases the astounding street chemistry between the rapper and producer and exemplifies high quality, substantial lyricism and magical beats in the making!
The production that Primo delivers is an entertaining piece of music built on a fantastic, collection of sparkling piano keys and thumping drum snares. The lovely piano keys refresh my mentality, washing through my mind like the effects of fresh water from the heavenly sea. The background piano loops have the feel of afternoon and REPRESENT rays of sunlight for Nas to shine as a powerful lyricist in the underground track. Meanwhile the drum snares have the nature of grabbing my attention, putting my eardrums under the pressure of vibration. The beautiful infusion of these musical instruments is majestic, supporting Nas' enthusiastic delivery of consistent, multi-syllabic rhyme schemes. The beat also provides an animated, old school feel to the atmosphere and REPRESENTS what real Hip Hop should sound like.
On this track, the subject matter that Nas aims to REPRESENT is quite similar to N.Y. STATE OF MIND but he presents a different twist to his rhymes. On REPRESENT, Nas uses his trademark street-poetry to spit a story about all the dangerous events that he has visualised in his environment. His execution of street poetry is built on lyrical aggression and his vocal delivery is filled with great passion.
Nas also throws small dosages of harsh braggadocio about himself into his verses. Thus, the street poet stresses that he is '....a rebel of the street corner....' and '....not your legal type of fella....'. In this context, Nas does NOT in any way claim to REPRESENT the justice system in the USA. He aims to Represent peace in retrospect of all the people struggling to live through the dangerous violence, occurring in '....every projects, all over....'. Thus, he dedicates this rap song to '....everybody in New York that's livin the real f*ckin life....'. He also makes messages within his impressive lyrics conducive to people from the ghetto, including '....Cormega, Laki the Kid.... and his man '....Primo, from Gang Starr....'.
[Reference]
Album source: 'ILLMATIC'
(album review link: http://cd.ciao.co.uk/Illmatic_Clean_Version_Nas__Review_5743872)
Album's track number - 9
Released as a single? - No
Video(s) - not applicable
48. Gang Starr (featuring Inspectah Deck) - ABOVE THE CLOUDS
TV viewers, 'it has come to our attention that a mysterious force is LOOSE....' somewhere '....up in the sky....' where '....the mysteries of....' Hip Hop '....creation are there....'. The classic creation appears to be an angelic musical called ABOVE THE CLOUDS, another product of Primo's phenomenal collaboration with Guru. Therefore, Epinion readers and television viewers we must prepare to take off ground and travel around the cloudy atmosphere to study the mystery and sound of this song.
[Prepared for liftoff]
It's time to flap our wings and fly high up in the sky like angels to the heavenly CLOUDS. Let's travel towards the pearly gates ABOVE THE CLOUDS where DJ Premier and Guru of Gang Starr are ready to perform with Inspectah Deck as the guest star. This is where we enter no. 48 of my agenda of 'The Magnificent 60 tracks' with musical enigma crafted by the best beat-make-a from America! Yeah, you know who I'm talking about....
The track begins with a theme on scientific discovery, whereby DJ Premier extracts a scene involving John F. Kennedy who suggests the possibility of '....outer space....' ABOVE the sky. This announcement is accompanied with an exceedingly magnificent execution of minor scratching and electromagnetic sounds, suitably selected to give the production it's futuristic vibe. Soon my eardrums are welcomed with the pleasant sound of oriental guitars, whose strings pluck away at a slow pace like stars of paradise in space. The quality of Primo's work on the guitar strings extend so far ABOVE THE CLOUDS, that I honestly admit no other producer can deliver a guitar-driven instrumental this exquisite. The oriental guitar strings play at a steady pace with relaxing, crisp drum loops on the foreground and faint violins in the background. The arrangement of all three instruments is alternate and highly accurate and this reflects the temperament of Primo to concentrate so hard on making his beats exemplary.
Guru, the king of monotone, gives a spiritual delivery of advanced rhyming and his laid-back flow over the Primo's slow instrumental is absolutely impeccable. His wordplay is absolutely astounding as well, especially where he begins his verse in holy fashion like this:
[Guru - 1st verse]
'I self Lord and Master shall bring disaster to evil factors
Demonic chapters, shall be captured by Kings
Through the storms of days after
Unto the Earth from the Sun through triple darkness to blast ya
with a force that can't be compared
to any firepower, for it's mindpower shared....'
Guru's wordplay follows a biblical pathway in a poetic format that adds a magic touch to this terrific rap song. This lyrical display is an example of Guru at his best with his '....infinite skills....' of wordplay that '....create miracles....' Above The Clouds! Furthermore, Guru's exceptional hook leaves my mind '....mentally scarred....', excited and astounded, feeling '....wild like rock stars who smash guitars....'!
However, Wu-Tang Clan member, Inspectah Deck, charges into the second verse like an armed warrior and lyrically conquers Guru as the '....self Lord and Master....'. He brings '....disaster....' to the microphone, outgunning Guru with a greater '....firepower....' of wordplay and intricate metaphors! Thus, Inspectah Deck spits like he is '....the maker, owner, plus soul controller....' of extended similes and metaphors that shine like stars throughout the galaxy. His amazing '...force...' of delivery over the microphone ....can't be compared.... with Guru, although the King of monotone himself does a great job '....holdin it down....'.
[Reference]
Album source: 'MOMENT OF THE TRUTH'
(album review link: not applicable)
Album's track number - 5
Released as a single? - No
Video(s) - not applicable
47. M.O.P. - DOWNTOWN SWINGA
Okay Epinion readers it's time to grab our parachutes and head back to the grounds after exploring the original sounds of music Above The Clouds. As we return back to the ground and look around, we find ourselves in DOWNTOWN SWINGA at no. 47. This is a track where DJ Premier and M.O.P bring the best of old school back to the finest Hip Hop concerts, Downtown in New York City.....
DJ Premier starts the entertainment of DOWNTOWN SWINGA with an excellent infusion of analogue transmission, concert tubas (i.e. sousaphones), drum snares and record scratches for his underground production. The record scratches bestow a pleasant feel upon me and are an important trademark of Primo's production style. They brush away in the background like the sound of a street-sweeper with a broomstick, chanting ....m-m-m-M.O.P.....m-m-m-m-m-M.O.P....., thereby maintaining the replay value of DOWNTOWN SWINGA.
The sousaphones are animated, bouncy, jazzy and lively. They play at baritone level with fantastic precision and loop throughout the song in cinematic fashion, capturing my full attention as a rap fanatic of classic production. The mixture of analogue radio-like frequencies and drums have the nature of an underground atmosphere that demonstrates DJ Premier's long tenure as an old school Hip Hop producer. In addition, the frequencies of analogue transmission and scratching add a refreshing touch on the jazzy harmonies delivered to my eardrums in DOWNTOWN SWINGA style!
The two M.O.P. rappers, Billy Danze and Lil Fame, attack the microphone like valiant soldiers, shooting bullets of brilliant lyrics in shell-casings. Their execution of hardcore freestyles is creative due to the hidden passion behind their impressive wordplay that enhances the replay value of this fantastic rap track. This especially applies to Billy Danze's and Lil Fame's hungry tone of vocal delivery that mixes perfectly with the catchy, baritone feel of the sousaphone notes. The concepts of Billy Danze's and Lil Fame's rhymes is pure braggadocio, mainly about being hardcore and how they '....like it raw....'. In short, the M.O.P. duo ....keep it real.... and are '....representin Brooklyn....'. Yo, '....Downtown Swinga in da house....' television viewers! Peace.
DOWNTOWN SWINGA should not be confused with Downtown Swinga 96 and Downtown Swinga 98, the last two having very different beats. Although Downtown Swinga was recorded in 1994, it was previously an unreleased track that never made the cut to any of M.O.P's official albums. However it was eventually included on DJ Premier's compilation, entitled 'Classic Works Of Mart Vol. 2', a 12 inch vinyl, old school record released in July 2002.
[Reference]
Compilation source: 'CLASSIC WORKS OF MART VOL. 2'
(album review link: not applicable)
Track number - 2
Released as a single? - No
Video(s) - go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjBoeuAGKTE [NOT A MUSIC VIDEO]
46. Gang Starr - YOU KNOW MY STEEZ
The classic moment of this programme proceeds with YOU KNOW MY STEEZ as Gang Starr continues to deliver a consistent showpiece for us rap listeners. Thus this track finds Guru feeling inspired to be a highly competent lyricist with the support of a magnificent instrumental from his close pal, DJ Premier. Like many tracks on 'Moment of Truth' album, Gang Starr designed this track to send messages against the way whack rappers deliver Hip Hop in wrong manners. In other words TV viewers, YOU KNOW their STEEZ....
[DJ Premier's sampling technique]
'....I, I guess right now we should start the show....'
Yes, Primo do go ahead and '....do your thing....' to keep representing '....the real....hip-hop....' on my show on DIJEH's rap TV.
Primo kicks off the show at number 46, throwing in boom-bap drums and some voice sampling as a way of testing his production scheme. DJ Premier eventually begins his activity as the clever beat-master, blessing my eardrums with a two-bar melody that '....is sinister....' thereby making me relax as the rap listener. He creates a soothing concoction of hard-hitting drum claps, peaceful record scratching and an assembly of jazzy brass winds, particularly bass trumpets. All of these musical elements carry an underground sound that is so profound in good quality that it makes Primo's production exceedingly catchy to me. The proportion of bass trumpets and drums is highly organised, playing in tidy fashion and this classic symphony exemplifies DJ Premier's innovation as a splendid producer. In addition, the legendary beat-maker does a clever job, sampling Method Man's voice to say '....you know my steez....' for the scratched hook.
While '....the beat is sinister....' and makes me relax, Guru spits like '....the minister....' delivering braggadocio and political rhymes on wax. He captures my awareness, expressing his concerns about the state of the music industry where '....the whackness is spreadin like the plague....', seriously infecting the credibility of Hip Hop. Guru also emphasises that '....real MC's and DJ's are a minority....' and visualises that talentless rappers will look '....lost like Dorothy....' in the mainstream industry. This is where the subject matter about lame rappers taking over the spotlight with musical crap about money becomes the most genuine in political terms of rap.
Guru's evolution as a skilled and dangerous lyricist on the mic, is obvious from his tremendous use of intelligent metaphors and similes on You Know My Steez. His lyrical display is positively potent and his wordplay is really awesome due to the highly evolved rhyme schemes within his verses. This aspect of Guru's lyricism is more than likely to cause trouble for wannabe rappers who resort to simplistic thug rhymes and materialism. In short, Guru will be '....droppin lyrics that be hotter than sex and candlewax....' and '....one-dimensional MC's can't handle that....'.
Lastly, You Know My Steez is the magnificent track that Gang Starr picked as the lead single off 'MOMENT OF TRUTH' back in 1998. In my opinion, it was an ideal way for Guru and Primo to strike the commercial empire of untalented pop-rappers like a POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE, raging from the underground!
[Reference]
Album source: 'MOMENT OF TRUTH'
(album review link: not applicable)
Album's track number - 1
Released as a single? - Yes
Video(s) - go to Dailymotion address: http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/Gang starr You Know My Steez/video/xjm7s_gang-starr-you-know-my-steez_music
45. Jay Z (featuring Big Jaz and Sauce Money) - BRING IT ON
Finally! For the first time in four years on Epinions.com, I eventually get the opportunity to comment about the jigga man. Yep that's right, it's Jay Z the street-hustler, hailing from Brooklyn, New York!
What better way is there to start giving an account of Jay Z's adequate charisma and intricate rhyming skills than describing a track produced by DJ Premier? This is where the high quality, mafioso song, BRING IT ON enters the equation on my list of top 60 Primo collaborations. What I will also like to mention alongside Jay Z and Primo's master-class collaboration are the wonderful contributions Sauce Money and Big Jaz BRING to the table. So allow me to spin my 'Reasonable Doubt' CD to describe the timeless rap song with more truthfulness. It's time for me to BRING IT ON!
The classic melody begins with cinematic violins, playing in mafioso fashion like an ending of a Goodfellas film, courtesy of Primo productions. The mental feel that I gain from the violin instrumental is emotional, solemn and serious and the professional arrangement of the notes, are tremendous. The violin-driven instrumental is very distinctive compared to similar orchestal pieces that I previously heard and it shows just how inventive Primo is at crafting melodies. Although some rap listeners may regard the violin-based production as sounding rather simplistic, I consider it to be a classic two-bar symphony in my opinion. Furthermore, it really suits Jay Z's original style as a hardcore rapper whose delivery of amusing wordplay is smooth in general.
The record scratching and voice sampling carry a heart-breaking and tear-jerking tone, thus keeping me interested in listening to them. These scratching effects have been tailored to a high degree of accuracy and correctness and contribute to Bring It On being such a timeless song. In this context, Primo carefully selects lines from Fat Joe and uses it as the hook that carries a mood of a street-hustler and gangster. This adds to the creative mobster theme of Bring It On that I find quite an addictive listen for my experience.
While Primo is relaxing in the background, fiddling with his violin, the three hustlers from Brooklyn spit mafioso lyrics on the foreground. Sauce Money spits the first verse like Jo Pesci. He tells a story about how himself, '....Jay and Primo, got....' drugs '....sewed across the board like poquino....' with connections from '....Al Pacino down to Nino Brown....'. I like the way how he executes his multi-syllables and tailors his lyricism to make it sound like a real Godfather or Scarface movie. This is a star performance where Sauce Money drops '....the stellar, even acapella....' but anyway readers, now ....I got to tell all about Roc-A-Fella.....'. Thus, speaking of Roc-a-fella, in comes the REAL star, the street-hustler, the main storyteller of this song, Jay Z. Okay Jay Z, BRING IT ON! Jay Z continues the story line like Ray Liotta, with a scintillating delivery of complex rhyme schemes, extended metaphors and stunning multi-syllables. Jay Z makes the '....world go around....' and the song spin in my CD player, by spitting phenomenal lyricism with Mannerisms of a young Bobby DeNiro....':
'....Can't do for dolo, had to turn away when Tony killed Manolo
That's real, mixed feelings like a mulatto
Thug thought he was O.G. Bobby Johnson
I played him like Benny Blanco, mano a mano....'
Big Jaz ends the classic story line like Bobby De Niro with an extremely emphatic delivery over the microphone that leaves me ectastic. Unfortunately, Big Jaz's lyrical skills and ability to rhyme words cannot match Jay'z natural talents at a sensational, multi-syllabic flow. Nevertheless, Big Jaz's uses the speed-rapping technique instead of singing to make the timeless Bring It On sound as catchy as ever! Like Scot Hall from World Championship Wrestling (WCW) said, "Don't just sing it, BRING IT!"
[Reference]
Album source: 'REASONABLE DOUBT'
(album review link: coming soon to Ciao.co.uk)
Album's track number - 13
Released as a single? - No
Video(s) - not applicable
44. M.O.P. (featuring Freddie Foxxx) - I LUV
Okay now '....let me tell....' you readers ....what I love....'. I got LUV for hardcore emcees like M.O.P. who come from Brooklyn like Jay Z. I LUV hearing Billy Danze, Lil Fame and Freddie Foxxx who are hardcore, dirty and raw like DMX. I Luv the sound of refreshing, beautiful production that keeps my mind relaxed. So in comes DJ Premier, who resumes his fascinating street chemistry with M.O.P. at number 44 to deliver another charming song. Primo invites Freddie Foxxx as the guest rapper, ready to flow with titanic temper over his classic Works of Mart....
On I LUV, Primo orchestrates a piano-driven melody that plays like it was stage-performed in a high-class, concert at midnight. The beautiful melody is composed primarily of alternating piano tunes and angelic violin loops. This majestic instrumental runs gracefully along the music track like a mythical unicorn galloping across magic land. Thanks to Primo's symphony that I happen to love so much, I Luv gets a heavy replay value on my own behalf.
But DJ Premier is not the only reason for the high replay value, boys and girls. While the beats are a masterpiece, Billy Danze, Lil Fame and Freddie Foxxx deliver their best showpiece together as underground rap soldiers. I'm telling you Epinion readers they're performing this serious rap sh*t live on 'DIJEH's rap TV (Episode 2)' right now!!!!! Man, I Luv it! Billy Danze and Lil Fame of M.O.P. blast advanced rhyme schemes with a hardcore edge like bullets covered in thick lead. Lil Lame lets us rap listeners and television viewers know that he loves '....trying to reach....' us in '....all parts of the map....' by selling his M.O.P. records. Billy Danze loves to have '....Prem' in the drivin seat...., thugs bumping M.O.P. tracks and ....ni**as that regulate the streets....'.
The M.O.P. duo, entertain my eardrums with their usual hardcore delivery, but it is really Freddie Foxxx's rhymes that sustain the lyrical momentum of the song. The same especially applies to the marvellous hook that Freddie Foxxx delivers with wondrous flow:
'What's mine's I love, and I fight, push to shove
Hand to hand?, but you can't stop the love
You push to impress, and I leave you with less
It's real love for the mics that I bless, no quest''
Representing the dangerously, dark streets of New York, Freddie Foxxx assists M.O.P. in turning I LUV into a REAL underground classic. He shakes down the music industry and attacks talentless, commercial '....cats....' with some brilliant wordplay and factual, battle rhymes. Sounding as sharp as ever, like a quick brown fox, Freddie Foxxx expresses what he fancies most about the Hip Hop Industry. For example he '....loves beating ni**as down when their rhymes are whack....'.
For further details about the brilliant interaction between Primo's production, M.O.P. and Freddie Foxxx, refer to my M.O.P. review below:
'M.O.P. will get DOWN 4 WHATEVA to create hardcore in DOWNTOWN SWINGA '98 style!'
[Reference]
Album source: 'FIRST FAMILY 4 LIFE'
(album review link: http://www.epinions.com/content_399938981508)
Track number - 8
Released as a single? - No
Video(s) - not applicable
43. Royce da 5'9" - HIP HOP
So far on Episode 2 of DIJEH's rap TV, we have learnt throughout the countdown that HIP HOP '....is everything around you....'. Hip Hop is based on various events affecting human needs and social nature within our immediate culture and society. Hence, many lyricists have used Hip Hop to express concerns for their community struggling through poverty with relevance to limited opportunity in life.
To my knowledge, three Hip Hop performers, notably Mos Def, Dead Prez and Royce da 5'9" have exploited the positive definition of Hip Hop in a very creative way. They have converted the term, Hip Hop into great songs with the same title - HIP HOP. Today on Episode 2, I shall focus on Royce da 5'9"'s intellectual song, because his version carries Primo's sensational production and is relevant to my show. Yes television viewers it's HIP HOP coming in at 43, live on DIJEH's rap TV!
As I explore the sound of HIP HOP, I get a picture of a two bar melody with a dark atmosphere that feels rather spooky in nature. The dark instrumental is composed of eerie violin loops, complemented with low-pitched bass drums and persistent raindrops of alarm bells, forming a magnificent beat. DJ Premier is always at his best when he includes violin samples in the equation as ways of maintaining street sounds of his production. Therefore, it's no wonder, Royce da 5'9" says '....I know my streets, I know my sounds, y'all know my beats, how I get down....' in the hook. DJ Premier incorporates scratching effects with an underground edge and the way he crafts them around Royce da 5'9"'s chorus, demonstrates the sound of real HIP HOP.
Royce da 5'9" captures my interest with one of the best subject matters to condemn my eardrums. He gives his account of how Hip Hop '....started from nothin a couple MC's Beat-boxin....' to '....more rappers dying, much more killin....'. The Detroit emcee boldly states that '....I ain't gotta know Karate like Afu-ra....' to define the meaning of his song. All he needs to do is take his steps, '....and leaps and bounds....'. Yes boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, '....It's - HIP HOP!, strong or not....'. Yo, this goes out to everyone all over the world. Peace!
Lastly, Royce da 5'9" made an intelligent decision to release Hip Hop as the first single from his sophomore album, as the concept of the track is tangible.
[Reference]
Album source: 'DEATH IS CERTAIN'
(album review link: coming soon to Epinions.com in April 2007)
Album's track number - 3
Released as a single? - Yes
Video(s) - go to Dailymotion address: http://www.dailymotion.com/yasrdouble6/video/xbvte_royce-da-59-hip-hop_music
42. Crooklyn Dodgers '95 - RETURN OF THE CROOKLYN DODGERS
At no. 42 we see the RETURN OF THE CROOKLYN DODGERS spitting real Hip Hop lyrics over DJ Premier's laid-back melody. The Crooklyn Dodgers are a supergroup of rappers who are yet more examples of Brooklyn-based Hip Hop perfomers like Jay Z and M.O.P. There are three versions of this supergroup, namely Crooklyn (version 1), Crooklyn Dodgers '95 (version 2) and Crooklyn Dodgers 3 (version 3). The second version of Crooklyn Dodgers are of particular importance to my show, due to the magnificence of their interaction with Primo. In this context, the members of Crooklyn Dodgers '95 who I am referring to are Chubb Rock, Jeru da damaja and O.C. who prefer the sound of underground.
It was 1995 since these three emcees last performed together, releasing their majestic Primo-laced single, Return Of The Crooklyn Dodgers that got rap fanatics, ecstatic. After approximately 13 years, until now, they RETURN for another perfomance one more time, for my TV show on Dijeh's rap channel....
DJ Premier starts the magic of his production with an infusion of boom-bap drum snares and old school scratching that play in verbal fashion, resembling beat-boxing. This is followed by a classic melody that is old-school in nature and is constructed mainly on foreground drum kicks, mid-ground piano loops and background chimes. The slow piano notes are cold raindrops falling on my eardrums while the drum kicks catch my attention like mechanical sounds of a train's wheels. DJ Premier alternates the soft piano loops and light chimes to create a lovely two-bar effect on his classy instrumental. With this magnificent arrangement of the two-bar instrumental, Primo takes the Crooklyn dodgers '95 group, especially Jeru da damaja to a new level of amazing freestyling.
[Reference]
Album source: 'CLASSIC WORKS OF MART VOL. 2'
(album review link: not applicable)
Track number - 4
Released as a single? - No
Video(s) - go to: http://www.undergroundhiphop.com/store/detail.asp?UPC=UGC01212 [NOT A MUSIC VIDEO]
41. Jeru da damaja - ME, NOT THE PAPER
The glorious agenda of Primo tracks in part II comes to a marvellous ending with Jeru da damaja and his magnificent ME, NOT THE PAPER....
The relaxing piano-driven production is one of THE best on PAPER and deservedly among the illest of Primo's artistic creations. It carries the theme of a classic drama that centres around the realistic story of Jeru da damaja living dangerously in the streets that made him an emcee.
Speaking of Jeru, the storyteller himself is impressive as he delivers a street-narrative, detailing his hobbies as a rapper and NOT for THE PAPER. In other words, his occupation as a rapper is based on his natural passion and wisdom for Hip Hop, not a commercial deal with pop rap.
[Reference]
Compilation source: 'CLASSIC WORKS OF MART VOL. 1'
(album review link: not applicable)
Track number - 2
Released as a single? - No
Video(s) - go to: http://www.undergroundhiphop.com/store/detail.asp?UPC=UGC00912 [NOT A MUSIC VIDEO]
**** BEYOND PART I OF THE PRIMO CHARTS ****
Stay tuned for part III of my collection of magnificent 60 Primo collaborations to be programmed on episode 3 of DIJEH's rap TV. I must prepare to display the next countdown of tracks from 40 to 31 to be watched by Epinion readers, whichever date that will be. But for now, the sparkling magic of Primo classics continues.
Respect!
As shown on the TV screen, Episode 2 now ends with credits rolling up and Jeru da Damaja's 'Me, Not The Paper' playing as the theme music.
REFERENCE
[The Magnificent 60 tracks produced by DJ Premier]
'DIJEH's rap TV (Episode 1)': No. 60 - 51, Part I
'DIJEH's rap TV (Episode 2)': No. 50 - 41, Part II
'DIJEH's rap TV (Episode 3)': No. 40 - 31, Part III
'DIJEH's rap TV (Episode 4)': No. 30 - 21, Part IV
'DIJEH's rap TV (Episode 5)': No. 20 - 11, Part V
'DIJEH's rap TV (Episode 6)': No. 10 - 1, Part VI
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Epinions.com ID:
dr_kdj_primo
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Member: Uzor Dijeh
Location: London, England - Gangstarr's Territory
Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 12 members
About Me:
I also publish reviews on Ciao.co.uk (as DJ_primo) and Dooyoo.co.uk (as Blackman_Isaac).
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